What Would You Buy With $500???

[Sprouts]

Okay so I am going to be receiving a grant reimbursement for. $500 from VOICE (in Ny) and not sure what to buy and was hoping some of you could help me out!

I know one thing we will buy is the up and down roller coaster $100 on amazon but not sure what else to get , any curriculum ideas? Any really good durable toys that the kids love? I also would like to get some montessori supplies as well.

Thank u!

[cheerfuldom]

We had two of those roller coasters and I wasn't loving them....you have to have the space for them and it is a "one at a time" type toy which means that you might have to supervise closely and break up fights.....just a thought. I sold the coasters on CL

If I had $500, we would put it towards outdoors play items....a second hand swing set, supplies to make a mud kitchen, supplies to start our garden, supplies to make an outdoor sensory table.

we are also going to make something like this (scroll down for the sprinkler)

http://www.lifewithlevi.com/2012/02/5-diy-project-tutorials-for-kids-using-pvc-pipes/

and an outside teepee (minus the tires and sand)

http://www.studiogblog.com/garden-construction-materials/materials/garden-diy-build-a-farm-tire-sand-box-and-tee-pee/

[Sprouts]

Hmmm you are probably right about the up and down coaster maybe I will check Craigslist for some though

I love the sprinkler!

And what type of supplies are needed for mud pies?

[cheerfuldom]

Hmmm you are probably right about the up and down coaster maybe I will check Craigslist for some though

I love the sprinkler!

And what type of supplies are needed for mud pies?

umm....mud? ha ha!

here are a few ideas of what I was thinking of

http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.com/2012/01/mud-pies-and-outdoor-play-kitchen.html

I like "open ended" toys where the kids can just go to town and play for hours versus toys that have one option to them and can get boring after a while. I really thought the coasters would be the best ever but like anything else, it did get boring. Now that I am going towards open ended options, I find that the classic fun times never end!

[BigMama]

Yay for you Sprouts! happyface I got a grant from CSEA as well but mine was not a reimbursement so I had to choose items from the VOICE/Kaplan website. Not that I am complaining - there was so much to choose from! I have been dreaming about getting a good set of real unit blocks for the children so that was at the top of my list!

[Heidi]

I have one coming up in June as well, and have been pondering the same thing.

I think I am leaning towards curriculum from High Reach, and outdoor stuff. I really want some "splash" pants and boots, because my kids don't always come equipped for outdoor play. Also mud kitchen stuff, and some outdoor storage, and an outdoor sink for handwashing.

[melskids]

I used my CSEA grant at kaplan too.

I bought alot of dress up stuff, a tall mirror, some multi-cultural things, outdoor toys, art supplies, some stuff for the block area, and a foam climbing ramp for infants.

I went a little crazy and spent WAY over the $500, so I ended up kicking in quite a bit myself.

[Sprouts]

Yes I have been eyeing the foam climber as well but there soon much! I always look for closing day cares that may have them

Which one did u get

[jojosmommy]

I received a grant for 600 two yrs ago and found out that usborne books matched the grant money @ 50% so I was able to get $900 worth of great books, learning cards, board books etc. Look for a company that matches, makes your money go more much further.

[Sprouts]

umm....mud? ha ha!

here are a few ideas of what I was thinking of

http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.com/2012/01/mud-pies-and-outdoor-play-kitchen.html

I like "open ended" toys where the kids can just go to town and play for hours versus toys that have one option to them and can get boring after a while. I really thought the coasters would be the best ever but like anything else, it did get boring. Now that I am going towards open ended options, I find that the classic fun times never end!

yeah i guess i set myself up for that ::

i really love all of the pictures there it gave me a lot of great ideas! I even pinned it on pinterest

[melskids]

Yes I have been eyeing the foam climber as well but there soon much! I always look for closing day cares that may have them

Which one did u get

I got this one because it was the cheapest....

http://www.kaplanco.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?CatID=24|IT1045|0&PID=80708

[kayla]

They have these really cool play houses. They are either ships or castles made of wood and some have swings and slides.. I think they are awesome.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

Drywall for my walls. ::

[TBird]

I used my CSEA grant at kaplan too.

I bought alot of dress up stuff, a tall mirror, some multi-cultural things, outdoor toys, art supplies, some stuff for the block area, and a foam climbing ramp for infants.

I went a little crazy and spent WAY over the $500, so I ended up kicking in quite a bit myself.

Oooookay...I was just about to ask you how you squeezed all of those items out of the Kaplan Catalog for $500, LOL!!!::

[lil angels]

I just got a child size furniture set. Super excited for it. I would love a water sand table for outside. I am trying to figure out how to make one.