Here are some ideas for what you can include on a classroom wish list. Also get a free editable printable file for creating a decorative wish list for your classroom bulletin board, door, wall, or other display.
Set Up a Classroom Wish List for Parent Night
Set this up for Open House or Parent Orientation when parents will be coming in. It works best at the beginning of the school year, as parents are more likely to buy for the classroom at the start.
Making a classroom wish list display is one of the things on my Back to School to-do list.
Write supplies you wish for on individual paper shapes and post them in your classroom in a place where parents will see it. Parents who want to donate extra supplies can choose a card, take it with them, and send the item to school. Most teachers know about this idea already, but below I’ll share what’s actually on my wish list for preschool.
Be Specific About Wish List Items
An important tip: Be specific about what you want! Attach a picture of the item or be very descriptive. Even if I ask for paper plates, I almost always end up with anything but paper plates (styrofoam, plastic, wax coated, you name it). You can write more details on the back of the wish item’s card, if needed.
Be sure to write your name somewhere on the card, either on the front or the back. Some parents may have kids in more than one class in your school, and may pick a wish list card from multiple classrooms. Later on, they forget which item goes to which teacher. I’ve had that happen before.
What I ask for on the Classroom Wish List …
(I don’t ask for all of these every year– these are things I have asked for over the years):
- Batteries: AA size
- Ziplocks (specify: sandwich, gallon, snack size)
- Cotton balls
- Color printer ink cartridges
- Card stock paper (white or colored)
- Colored pencils
- Disposable bowls for science experiments & cooking activities
- Clear disposable punch cups (for science & cooking)
- Glitter glue
- White paper plates (large & small)
- Colored sand
- Food color
- Clorox or Lysol wipes
- Lysol spray
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Band-aids (character prints for boys & girls)
- Old magazines (esp. with pictures of animals)
- Paper lunch bags (specify: white or brown)
- Pastel colored copy paper
- Craft pom poms
- Wiggle eyes
- Pipe cleaners
- Play Dough
- Crayola Model Magic (I specify the exact amount, where to find it, cost, & attach a photo)
- Q-tips
- Poster board (white)
- Tissue paper (assorted colors)
- Unwanted baskets or wooden bowls
- Legos
- Set of used or new dominoes with dots (I asked for this year for a math activity)
- Crayola Color Dots water coloring tablets (for sensory table)
- Baking soda & vinegar (for science experiments)
Be Sure to Say Thank You
After parents have sent in items to donate to your class, be sure to send a Thank You note to show your appreciation! You don’t have to use flowery words, just simply say “Thank you for the play dough” or something similar. You can also download a printable Thank You Note in the printables section below.
Classroom Wish List Printables
Print out this free Classroom Wish List banner to display your wish list in your classroom! This set also includes a thank you note.
Just print the Wish List Banner, cut out, and use mini clothespins to pin the banner pieces to a ribbon or string attached to your bulletin board (or wherever you wish to place it). Parents can pull a card off the line.
There is a printable PDF to fill in by handwriting in, and an editable Google Sheets version to type on.
Print or copy onto bright colored paper to draw attention to your display!
Download the Printables
These printables are FREE — just click to download!
Click to Download the PDF version
Click to Download the editable Google Sheets version
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What will you be using your dominos with the dots for? I stumbled onto these the other day and couldn’t think of a good use for them.
I’ve used dominoes for a few things. First off, all kids will make a snake and knock it down. I put them in my block area and have them make walls, pathways, stairs, etc. For math purposes I have them match, end to end, same numbers, kind of like real dominoes. My kids have also used them as cell phones in the dramatic play area.
I use Dominoes with colored dots. My fav pizza place uses plain white boxes for small pizzas. I cut with a razor blade spaces large enough for them to fit through. I then outline the opening and draw the correct colored circles to match each domino number above each opening. The kids can add dots or just match where they will put them in, or just put them in. I have never told the kids how to do it and they figure out many ways on their own. They really like it. It is very easy to empty the box again too.
you can use them for matching games;
The dominoes are for a “Domino Sorting” activity that I got from the book “Math at Their Own Pace” by Greg Nelson (excellent book, btw). You make something like a graph on poster board with columns for each number (numeral written at the bottom of each column). The children count the dots on the dominoes and place them in the correct column.
I totally LOVE your website!!! I’ve been a Pre-K teacher for over 7 years. Just recently however, a stay-at-home-mom for the last 3 or 4 years. I’ve decided to go back to teaching now that my babies are in school. Your site has helped me get back into the Pre-K frame of mind!! Thanks for posting all that you have. My beginning of the school year is strong because of your help!! Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to post and keep up this so very useful website for teachers and moms.
I am soooo in love with this entire website. It is so comprehensive and well written…meaning I don’t have to wonder what you are talking about when describing an activity. I truly appreciate you taking the time to post all of these great resources and ideas..for they ecnourage me to be more creative with my own Pre-K children. When I stumble upon websites of this nature, I can distinctly remember (it’s hard some days) why I chose Pre-K! Thanks A Bunch! I will surely pas your website along to other Pre-K teachers who wish to make their classrooms great ones!
This is such a WONDERFUL idea! I too just love your site! It is on my favorites for easy access!! Thanks so much for sharing!
WOW!!! what an awesome website!! I have been a daycare teacher for 13 years and this is the best site I’ve been too!!! you rock!!!
i love your website. im teaching for 20 years but in grades 1 to 3. for the past two years im teaching 4 year old.your ideas are fresh and easy to apply in my class. i am crazy about the art and science concepts. i cant wait to get into my class to apply all these fantastic ideas.
Thanks Natasha!
Awesome website! I just came upon it looking for an idea for a wish list display.
I look forward to using it more.
Thank you:)
thanks for your help
I recently opened a preschool. You have been an inspiration for my program. Thank you for openly sharing your wonderful ideas and resources. I am a better teacher thanks to your help!
Thanks for such a nice compliment, Sarah!
Similar to your idea, I use what I call ‘Helping Hands’. I write the wish-list items on pre-cut handprints (available at craft stores or you can make die-cuts) then tape them on the hallway-side of my classroom door frame. Parents simply pull off whichever labeled handprints they wish to donate. Placing them here serves 2 purposes: (1) They are highly visible to parents and (2) before I open the door for dismissal, parents waiting in the hallway have ample time to choose items before the craziness of dismissal.
Hi Karen:
I love your website and your ideas. You are truly making my life so easy this year. I’ve been teaching Pre-K for six years now and even though it gets easier each year, there is always a great idea that I can use. I have an awesome assistant this year, and she’ll be even more excited about this site than I am.
Thank you.
I love your website and all the useful and inspiring ideas! Thank you for sharing !
I usually ask for a package of baby wipes for quick hand & face cleaning, large paper shopping bags (in November to make vests & tepees), empty egg cartons & cardboard tubes (from paper towels & gift wrap)… There is one “wish list” item that gets a separate note home — just before Christmas break I’ve begun asking for parents to bring empty boxes when the kids come back in January. I replace my block & lego bins with the boxes and we have box play for a month. I got the idea from an internet article and by requesting them right before the holidays I get a great variety of big boxes. It’s great to watch the kids get creative with them; each year they come up with a new idea (though I had to squash the idea of bunk boxes — they weren’t sturdy enough to support the kids’ weight)
I love your website! I have been in childcare for 10 years. Last year was my first year co-teaching preschool. We have a ” Wish Bowl”. We put our wish list items on fish cut outs and put them in a fish bowl. We ask for things like masking tape, white cardstock, cream of tarter and salt for homemade playdoh, glue sticks, old magazines (tear out all underwear ads), the parents are very giving. Did I tell you how much I enjoy your website!!
Aloha, I just want to thank you, you come up with amazing, creative activities for the kiddo’s. Thank you
My wish list: seeds, topsoil & new tiny rakes. Our last two years my class grew, maintained, ate and shared our veggie. I was amazing