beyond the playroom

purposeful play

Purposeful Playroom materials

play with purpose

beyond the playroom

What to add to the playroom?

A key factor to creating a purposeful playroom is including well thought out materials that children are able to easily access. 
 
Below you will find lists of suggested materials to add for each area of interest. 
 
In addition, I have included a list of my absolute favorite play materials- along with links to purchase. My list of favorites are all items I have used in my classroom as well as at home!
 
Remember when creating a purposeful space for learning-less is more! It is far better to have a fewer quality, open ended items than a room full of closed ended, plastic, disorganized or broken toys.

purposeful play

art supplies

Inspire the budding artist in your child by keeping a variety of
purposeful art supplies on hand and in an accessible, organized space.

water color paints
finger-paints
tempera paints
paint brushes
art easel
smock
dot paints
markers
crayons
colored pencils
colored pens
glitter pens
glitter glue
glue sticks
 ink pads
liquid glue
beads
feathers
pipe cleaners
ribbons
rubber bands
paper clips
stamps
 sticky notes
pom-poms
gems
glitter
craft sticks
stickers
paper shapes
 
construction paper
paper scraps
printer paper
card stock paper
paper bags
tissue paper
scissors
greeting cards
butcher paper
coffee filters
paper plates
chalk
scotch tape
colored tape
buttons

Favorite Art Supplies

When picking art supplies you want to chose open ended materials that will allow your child to create without limits. Below are links to some of my favorite open ended art supplies! Click the View My Favorites button to see more. Simple tap on the photo or name of each item to purchase!

purposeful play

math materials

Having high quality and purposeful math materials available for your child
to use encourages mastery of early math skills.

 
variety of puzzles
unifex cubes
board games (dominoes, memory, simple board games)
shape sorters
string & beads
counting objects
             
magnetic letters and numbers
geoboards
pegboards
sewing cards
gears
blocks
felt story boards
legos
 
 
 
           
number chart
matching games
sorting games/activities
balance scale
graphing materials
shape tracing materials
dominoes

Favorite Math Supplies

Below are links to some of my favorite math toys! I’ve used all of these items in both my classroom as well as at home.  I love that these items are all really versatile and effective in teaching early math concepts! Simply click the View My Favorites button to see more! 
Tap the photos to purchase!

purposeful play

blocks and building materials

Encourage building and block play by including a variety of materials in your child's play space.

wide variety of wooden blocks 
hollow blocks
foam blocks
paper or plastic tubes
marbles 
variety of vehicles 
play people and animals
wooden road signs
wooden train set
books about buildings and construction
photos of famous architecture
city floor rug
craft sticks
packing materials
boxes
rocks, twigs, shells
 

Favorite Building Supplies

Below are links to some of my favorite building toys! I’ve used all of these items in either my classroom, at home or both!  Many of these items (especially the Marble Run) are my favorite go to gifts for birthdays and holidays! Click the View My Favorites button to see more. Tap the photos to purchase! 

purposeful play

science and sensory materials

Inspire young scientists by keeping lots of items from nature
as well as a variety of books available for exploring.

sensory table
sand
sand tools
water 
water tools
rocks and pebbles
sticks
shells
pulleys, gears, wheels
cups, bowls, ladles, spoons
dropper, funnels, strainer
buckets
foam letters
paper and writing utencils
water wheels
sifter 
binoculars
rulers 
clipboard
magnet tiles
plants
pets if possible
magnifying glass
books on science topics
nuts and bolts
balance scale
magnets
broken toys or small items-that can be taken apart 
spray bottles

Favorite Science & Sensory Supplies

Below are links to some of the best science and sensory materials that I’ve used. All of the items I’ve chosen to list have been widely popular with my students as well as my son, providing hours and hours of purposeful play! Tap the View my Favorites to view more. Simply click on the photos to purchase!

purposeful play

literacy and language materials

Help children build a solid literacy
foundation by keeping purposeful literacy materials on hand.

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!!
magnetic letters
felt storyboards
markers, crayons, pencils
letter stamps
books on CD
puppets
stencils
assortment of paper
scissors
glue
index cards
magazines
lined books
 newspaper
chalk and chalkboard
dry erase markers and boards
tracing letters
clipboard
cards, stationary
blank books 

Favorite Literacy Materials

Below are links to my must have literacy materials! These were staples in both my classroom and at home and provide hours of fun. Simply tap the View my Favorites button to see more. Click on the photos to purchase!

purposeful play

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