Being a teacher is such a rewarding job and yet such a tough one at the same time! While there are some great perks like having summers off, they don’t get paid nearly as much as many of them deserve. Plus, teachers are so devoted to their students’ success that they often spend tons of their own money towards classroom supplies and activities. That is why these Dollar Store hacks are perfect for teachers who want to create an amazing learning environment for their kids, but also watch their budget!
1. Under $30 Sensory Bins from the Dollar Store
If you want to put together some sensory bins, this is a must read post! She has a whole list of supplies and instructions and you can make over 6 bins for under $30! (via Mostly Under Control)
2. Use Dollar Store Plastic Plates as Work Matss
This post has a whole bunch of Dollar store finds for teachers, but one of my favorites is using a $1 plastic plate to create work mats to help with learning math and other skills. (via Little Minds at Work)
3. Reading Corner Storage Bins
Dollar store bins are perfect for creating a cozy little reading nook in your classroom as seen here that is just so inviting! This would also be a great hack to use in kids’ rooms at home. (via The Learning Tree Blog)
4. Dollar Store Hacks for Student Whiteboard Erasers
Student whiteboards are a great way to keep everyone engaged – I still remember loving to use them in school. However, you don’t want all your kids to end up with dry erase marker dust all over their hands from erasing. Instead, check out this brilliant idea to use makeup puffs from Dollar Tree as erasers! (via @saimaahmed1)
…or use a Dollar Store sponge!
You can easily find these at any Dollar Store and can even cut into pieces for mini erasers for small hands. (via Michelle Dupuis Education)
5. Free Printable for Creating Word Building Blocks
This teacher’s favorite Dollar Store hack is buying these cheap colorful plastic blocks and using letter and number printables to create your own math or word building blocks. Keep in mind that you could also just write them on with Sharpie for a quick time-saving trick. (via Make, Take & Teach)
6. DIY Reading Corner Art Using Dollar Store Plastic Bags
This Dollar Store hack is so adorable and does not look at all cheap! She took $1 plastic bags from Dollar Tree, cut them and wrapped them around canvas to make these adorable Dr. Seuss wall decorations that are perfect for a reading corner in your classroom. Also a great hack to share with your school librarian! (via Fancy Frugal Life)
7. Dollar Store Engineering Kit
Create a Dollar Store engineering kit for a perfect rainy day activity center for kids. For just a few bucks you may help inspire a future engineer! (via Little Bins for Little Hands)
8. Dip Tray Made Into Center Activities
These dip trays from the Dollar Store can be transformed into a whole variety of center activities for all sorts of learning objectives. For instance, this one teaches kids story elements in a fun interactive way. They can also be used for word sorting, grammar, synonyms, math and so much more! (via Life in First Grade)
9. Use Dollar Store Containers for Crayons
Some of the smartest Dollar Store hacks are ones that seem so simple and obvious that they are practically made for it like this idea to use Dollar Tree snap containers to hold crayons. Bonus hack: you can also use them to store playing or flash cards!
10. Dollar Store Bins for Classroom Organization
There are SO many classroom supplies that it can be easy to get cluttered and chaotic. These Dollar Store bins are perfect for organizing the supplies and don’t require you to blow your whole paycheck at the Container Store. (via The Creative Chalkboard)
11. DIY Reading & Writing Activity
This is such a clever game to learn sight words in a fun and exciting way that kids will be begging to play! Learn all the details and download the free printable recording sheet from the post –> (via Mrs. Jones’s Class)
12. DIY Dollar Store Portable Homework Station
Perfect for home, a school homework center, or activity tables in your classroom, this portable homework station tutorial will help keep this school year clutter free! (via Simple Made Pretty)
13. Straw Holder Filled with Pencils
No more interrupting the class asking for a pencil. You can use this next idea on our Dollar Store hacks list to make a pencil storage container from a straw holder that kids can borrow from as needed.
But to help them keep track of their pencil and not lose it in the first place…
14. Duct tape + Straw DIY Pencil Holders
With just a bag of straws and some duct tape, you can have every student make their own DIY pencil holder. Create a habit of your students putting pencils away before leaving for lunch and recess and you’re sure to have less lost pencil emergencies! (via @firstgradefunzies)
15. Dollar Store Hack to Organize Classroom Scissors
This scissors storage hack using a Dollar Store bin not only keeps your classroom organized, but it only costs you a $1! Cheaper than replacing all those scissors that get lost, right?
16. Trash Cans for Cheap DIY Word Sorting Activity
For another very versatile and engaging classroom activity, you can create all sorts of fun sorting games using mini Dollar Store trash cans. You can even add velcro so you can switch out the categories to sort the same flash cards all different ways! (via Miss Giraffe’s Class)
17. Keep books in baggies to prolong their life
Check out this genius teacher tip to have your kids keep their books in Ziplocks to keep them from getting torn and folded when thrown into desks or backpacks. Your books will last so much longer! (via @headoverheelsforteaching)
18. Easy Dollar Store Frugal Literacy Activities for Under $20
Find out how this brilliant teacher created 4 genius literacy activities for under $20 that you can easily copy following her detailed tutorials! (via The Letters of Literacy)
19. “We’re Ready” Group Activity Lights
Without any scolding or nagging, these “We’re Ready” lights are a fun way to hold kids accountable for being quiet during group activities or signaling when they are done. (via @headoverheelsforteaching)
20. $1 Dry Erase Dice
These Dollar Store dry erase mice are a fabulous find that are perfect for learning activities for any subject. Fill each side up with a different question and have each student taking a turn rolling and answering in small groups. (via @food_for_taught_)
21. Magnetic Locker Holder for Dry Erase Markers
Do you constantly feel like you are loosing your dry erase markers? For our final idea on our dollar store hacks for teachers list…pick up one of these $1 magnetic locker cups at the Dollar Store to keep them handy at all times. (via Scholastic)
What to Read Next: 21 Dollar Store Organization Hacks You’ll Obsess Over
Which of these Dollar Store hacks do you plan on trying out in your classroom? I am also considering putting together more teacher-related posts, a 30 day challenge with more teacher hacks, and printables. Let me know in the comments below if any of these interest you!
