cheap manipulatives

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cheap manipulatives
By jem

I have lots of manipulatives that we sort, count, make sets with,graph, pattern etc..

Erasers in various shapes( hearts, stars, bugs..)
Mixed nuts (with the shells still on)
Beans.. like from 16 bean soup dry mix..
or spray painted limas
Spray painted rocks
shaped sponges
small toys such as dinosaurs, cowboys,insects, astronauts that come in tubs , jars or packages
crayons
blocks
diecut shapes
sea shells
pasta
plastic beads or gems
match box cars
Kid's meal toys
Mardi Gras necklaces
candy
stickers on cards..laminated
felt board pieces

jingle bells
leaves
colored craft sticks
stamps
marbles
small balls
rings.. I cut the ring part off of bat and spider rings, for instance
colored cotton balls
milk jug lids ..as is or place stickers on them
craft buttons
pom-pom balls
candles
decorative soaps
small cake decorating pieces..babies, musical instruments etc..

The possibilities are endless. I keep an eye open for clearance items, garage sales etc..

At craft stores, buy garlands of acorns, leaves, candy etc.. and cut apart to make manipulatives. Buy after a holiday on sale and save for the next year!

Buy party favors on sale, too.