Resources for 2 to 3 year olds?

Question

I would love fresh ideas of resources I could purchase for my nursery group.

We have the usual puzzles, constuction etc. I have a budget of £200 & running out of ideas. I would like as many resources I can get rather than one big item.

I want to promote a fun environment opposed to a learning environment as we all know children learn through play.

Any ideas???

Answer 1

shape cube is a perfect thing for my preschool

Answer 2

www.netmums.com could be a great place to look or at least ask the question.

Answer 3

Coloured rice.

I made some for my daughter's birthday in June.  Got carried away and ended up with almost 20 kilos of the stuff.  In the end i donated it to her nursery.  They have put in one of those water/sand receptacles and the kids love it.  I still see them playing with it every day.  

Just buy the cheapest rice and some food colourings.  Mix the rice with the dye in a stainless steel pot and stir with the back of a wooden spoon.

Do small batches at the time, you can let them dry for a while on a baking tray covered in foil.

£175,- should buy you an exellent water/sand receptacle i reckon and that's how much would be left after the rice and colourings :-)

Answer 4

Fisherprice, google it.

Answer 5

Hello Vic, here are some free web resources for you to use with the children, I have hundreds more, so if you would like more then let me know.

Preschool and Kindergarten Links

http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/a...

http://www.underfives.co.uk/

http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/interac...

http://www.multcolib.org/kids/linksyng.h...

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/pre-kind...

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/kinderga...

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subject...

http://www.edhelper.com/ReadingComprehen...

http://www.hpedsb.on.ca/ec/est/kprog/

Pre-School Themes & Activities

Welcome to Pre-School Themes & Activities...there are lots of wonderful crafts & activities, story ideas to read aloud, songs/fingerplays/nursery rhymes, and recipe ideas! Click on a theme category or one of our great activity ideas below.....and have fun!! Pages are updated regularly - so check back soon for more great ideas!

http://www.crayola.com/educators/lessons...

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/recipe...

http://members.tripod.com/ccb_themes/

Stories for Children

http://www.bygosh.com/

http://www.bygosh.com/childrensclassics....

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.

Answer 6

wit about home play things...ironing board, kitchen trolleys, tills, cleaning stuff (bckets mops)...things they will see everyday at home that they can take charge off.  even getting fruit and veg and letting them peel their own. things like mushrooms and courgettes are good for this cos they are soft but keep their shape.

All children enjoy this boys and girls plus you can pick up good bargains on ebay etc and the food is cheap!!

Good luck and good on you for trying to think about something new rather than letting them get bored x

Answer 7

www.childfun.com might interest you.

Answer 8

Go to your local department store and buy there.  Fisher Price toys, lincoln logs, blocks, kitchen sets, whatever it is that little kids play with.

You could also hit rummage sales and get things there.

Answer 9

Buy Leap Pad .. there are so many education stuff but you also want to promote other stuff part of their brains like music and instruments .. Its good for them and it helps with math skill...

Hope this helps