Activities and projects for kids can quickly become expensive if you are constantly paying full price at stores for supplies. As a single mom on a very tight budget, I can’t afford to replenish the supplies that we go through so quickly unless I get creative with my purchasing strategies.
Watching for sales and using coupons are a great way to obtain supplies at a reasonable price, but the real secret to saving money on supplies for learning activities and projects, is to shop the aisles of Dollar Tree.
In most cases, you get what you pay for. There are certainly some items that I would never purchase at a dollar store. That being said, there are lots of items that are of the same quality as their more expensive counterparts at other stores.
Here are 15 items that we purchase at Dollar Tree on a regular basis, and ideas for projects and activities to do with them:
1. Paint – We use a lot of paint around here. Dollar Tree carries the same brand of watercolors (for $1) that I’ve seen at Target and Fred Meyer for 3 or 4 dollars. They usually stock other types of paint, such as tempera and powdered, as well.
2. Pipe Cleaners – A “must have” supply for craft projects. I haven’t noticed any difference in quality between the dollar store pipe cleaners and those from other retailers.
3. Construction Paper – If you go through this as fast as we do, you’ll appreciate the fact that you can pick up a package for $1.
4. Rocks – Yes, you can find rocks for free outside, but if you would rather not have to search for the size, shape, and texture that you’re looking for, Dollar Tree sells bags of decorative rocks for $1.
5. Cotton Balls – These are great to have around for household purposes – first aid, cleaning, etc. – but also a great item for kids to explore with.
6. Paper Bags – Not just for lunches anymore. We use these for so much more.
- Try Paper Bag Explosions and Paper Bag Monsters. Need a snack? You can also Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn.
7. Shaving Cream & Soap - No, not for shaving or washing. Use these for all kinds of sensory and science exploration.
- Try Shaving Cream Fun and Soap Science.
8. Cotton Swabs (Q-tips) – These are a staple in our cupboard of supplies.
9. Tape - Dollar Tree stocks several different types of tape. We’ve purchased clear packing tape, masking tape, painter’s tape, duct tape, and even washi tape.
10. Tin Foil – Use it in your kitchen for cooking, and for fun activities with the kids.
- Try Tin Foil Painting and Tin Foil River.
11. Food Coloring – Explore colors with tons of hands-on experiments and projects.
- Try Milk + Food Coloring + Dish Soap = Masterpiece, Indoor Bubbles, Science Lab Exploration For Kids, and World’s Easiest Play Dough.
12. Toothpicks & Popsicle Sticks - So many ways to use these little wooden wonders.
13. Balloons – We buy helium balloons for birthdays at Dollar Tree, as well as latex balloons to have around to explore with.
14. Clothespins – Kids love to explore with clothespins, and they provide a great way to work on fine motor development.
- Try Uppercase & Lowercase Letter Matching, Read & Clip – Word Family Game, and Find & Clip – Number Sequencing Activity.
15. Marshmallows – I’m not so sure I’d recommend purchasing these to eat, as I’d assume they aren’t the freshest tasting, but they are wonderful for projects.
These are only a few of the items that we purchase from Dollar Tree. I’d say that 90% of the materials we use for our learning activities and projects come from the “green store” as my 2 year old calls it. Such a great resource for affordable supplies for art projects, crafts, and more.
Do you shop at Dollar Tree? What are your favorite items to purchase there? I can’t get enough of their birthday supplies – gift bags, wrapping paper, decorations, tableware, etc.
