Tot School: Back To School Shopping
Tots like to Back to School Shop too!
As you may have noticed, we’ve taken a Tot School Summer Vacation. With having all of the big kids around all of the time and needing to be driven around town, as well as having out of town visitors, we needed a break. . .or maybe I needed a break from planning.
However, I am ready and raring to go next week when the boys start back to school! I have a Ballerina themed Bb lesson planned, and I think that my little dancing girls will love it.
Are you new to the world of Tot School? Do you wonder why I would even “do school” with toddlers? Well, you might want to read more from the creator of Tot School. . .
I found that I needed to stock up on arts and crafts supplies when we began doing Tot School, and now is the best time to pick up supplies for the whole year!
I’ll list some of the things that we have found helpful to have around, and what I’ll be picking up!
Crayons
We’ve used a variety of crayons so far. My preference is Crayola brand. I’ve found the quality to be most consistent across the board, and they are the smoothest colors. We started with the triangle shaped crayons, but now the girls can just as easily handle the standard sized crayons that can be bought in boxes of 24 for 25 cents this time of year. A worthwhile splurge, however, is the washable variety. These crayons wipe off easily with a damp cloth. If your Tot prefers to color on the table as much as he like to color on paper it will be worth it to shell out a few more dollars. and hold on to your crayon stubs. . .later this fall I have some great projects for you to try!
Markers
Again, I’m brand loyal to Crayola. And, once again, the washable variety is preferred. Another side benefit to the washable markers is you can go over your Tot’s artwork with a damp paintbrush for pretty watercolor effects! Pick up several packages of markers. If your Tot is anything like mine, she may bite the tip off one or more markers. . you will need spares!
Construction Paper
I pick up any and all construction paper when I see it on sale. The nice quality paper makes nice frames for artwork or the base for collages. The thinner, lower quality stuff is great for your Tot to practice tearing and ripping skills and can be used for papier mache!
Copy Paper
We go through a lot of plain white paper. Since often they are practicing scribbling, or coloring or painting and not always making keepsakes, I’m not terribly concerned about quality here. Lowest price wins out.
Glue
I pick up a few bottles of the old standard, Elmer’s School Glue. And I pick up a few packages of glue sticks as well. Glue is another area where I am brand loyal. Elmer’s Glue produces a consistent product that works well. In the past I have been very disappointed by dollar store knock offs. The liquid glue is great for a variety of crafts and the glue sticks are great for your Tot to use on his own.
Classic Books
This year I plan on creating units for the girls based on some of my favorite childhood books such as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,TheVery Hungry Caterpillar, Llama Llama Red Pajama and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. I plan on buying a sturdy copy of each of these, as I know that they will be read and reread over and over!
Puzzles
The girls really love playing with puzzles. So, when I see them on sale I pick one up. I’ve gotten a variety of gently used wooden puzzles at our local Once Upon a Child Store.
I also stock up on flour, salt and rice. I make my own play clay as it is softer for little hands, and I can control the ingredients and change colors! I also color rice for our sensory bins.
Chime in! Are you stocking up on Back To School supplies for your little ones as well? What are your favorite products? You know I’d love to hear from you!
My favorite thing to have on hand over the years is a giant roll of butcher paper. Making murals was always a super favorite pastime of my boys. Things haven’t been the same since we ran out—it lasted about 4 years.
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Ooooh butcher paper! I need to hunt some down! I bet they would have a blast with that!
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I LOVE the crayon picture – I can almost smell them – that and play-doh are among my very favorite scents!
I love the smell of new crayons as well! And fresh wooden pencils too!
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Hadn’t thought of that one!
I do walk down the aisle where the crayons are and pick them up and sniff them! Crazy crayon-sniffing Grandma! (Henry isn’t old enough to buy them for him yet.)
Rebekah loves her Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book! She even reads part of it with me now! I should take a look at Once upon a child because Bekah loves her wooden puzzle now but only has 1. I am thinking that we will get more into Tot school then too not because we have anyone here but because the weather will get more where it is easier to do!
They have some nice ones, Traci; some are new, and if you look in the back on the end caps they often have new ones for about $3.50 or so!
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Shopping. Is the top list I would do before my darlings go into school. I go mostly for cheap yet very useful things a student must have. I do will consider the ones my children wants to buy me for them. I mostly have them by my side upon shopping as it suits the way I do to educate them as well. Regarding the wants of theirs and the prices it leads us, if that certain item is quite expensive, I educate them the means of budget and in that way they understand what expenses should we prioritize.
The crayons looks good, It really helps child creativity developed.
Crayons is useful to children because it helps enhancing their abilities in painting such photos and identifying the individual colors. It is one reason why most children love to draw and paint.