It’s always hard to narrow down what to get at the Dollar Tree, but I did my best to create a top ten list for you so you can get the most for your dollar. Here’s what you can get for just ten dollars to make some fun children’s activities!
1. Muffin tin or ice cube tray
These are great for sorting. You can sort colors or items by number, and you can really get creative in how to use these. The Dollar Tree has packs of ice cube trays two for a dollar!
2. Craft sticks
These popsicle sticks are always a huge hit! You can make shapes, use as counters, put words on them, use them in crafts, so many options! They have colored ones and plain ones, and sometimes even holiday-themed sticks.
3. Pipe cleaners
I definitely suggest picking up a pack of these, too. You can use these for so many things! And they come in so many different colors. You can use them for color sorting, threading, lacing, and crafts. They can go far!
4. Straws
These are perfect for learning to cut because they are nice and stiff. You can thread pipe cleaners through the straws, which is great for fine motor practice.
5. Sponges
These are so fun for water transfer activities, sponge painting, cut them into shapes (hearts, etc.), or use as counters. Kids can use them to paint on plain paper to make their own wrapping paper. Sponges are in constant use at our house.
6. Containers
So many bins here! They have different sizes and you can always find what you need. These are perfect for sensory bins.
7. Stickers
These are a must-buy! I always go for the packs with multiple sheets to get the most bang for my buck. They often have a great selection of character stickers so you can usually find ones you know your kids will love. We use them mostly for peeling and sticking in sticker books.
8. Kitchen cups
Be on the lookout for cup-sized containers. You can use it in the bathtub, or at a water transfer station, these are great for pouring with water or in a sensory bin (colored rice!). I use these in almost all of my activities!
9. Colored craft foam
You can find these in full sheets, but also sometimes in the half-size sheets. And they come in all different colors. It’s a great value! We play matching games, do color sorting, practice cutting, and create shapes, you can even punch holes in them and have your child thread a pipe cleaner through. There are so many options for these!
10. Googly eyes
These are really fun to have on hand for crafts; I always find myself using them in all sorts of activities.
Watch the video below to see all these items as I take you along on a trip to the Dollar Tree. And tell me in the comments what you like to get for busy bags!
