3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

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If you’re anything like me, you are always looking for new ways to revitalize your centers or new ideas to try during Daily 5, Readers Workshop, Guided Math, etc.  In the spirit of trying new things, today I’d love to share 3 center ideas that you can make.  And hey, it doesn’t hurt if they’re easy and cheap, right?  To make it even better I’ve teamed up with 3 of my favorite blogger buds to bring you even MORE Dollar Tree center ideas!

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

The ideas I’m sharing today were all created with resources purchased at Dollar Tree which means they all ring in at a whopping $1.00 to $2.00 to create!

Number Recognition Puzzle

The first center I’d love to share is one that I’ve seen floating around on Pinterest.  Using a puzzle from the Dollar Tree, students can practice counting and number recognition skills!

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

When planning this center, be sure you set out time to actually construct the puzzle yourself so that you can write the numbers on the correct corresponding pieces.

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

Once the puzzle is put together, I flipped the pieces over a row at a time to write the numbers on the back of the pieces.  I chose to write the 5s all in red since skip counting by 5s is a big skill in our Kindergarten curriculum.  It would be so easy to differentiate this center for skip counting, numbers 101-200, etc.

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

Math and Literacy Games with Ice Trays

The next center I’d love to share with you is inspired by one of my coworkers, Hannah!  She uses simple ice trays that you can purchase at Dollar Tree (2 for $1 people!!) to create math and literacy games.

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

Using a Sharpie I wrote in sight words on one tray and addition equations on another.

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

The kiddos can play in partners/teams and stand 2-3 feet away and toss in pom poms, beads, or small erasers.  If they make any into a spot on the tray, the student read the word or solves the addition problem.  Easy to set up and the kids LOVE it!  You could make multiple versions of this game with letters, numbers, cvc words and more!

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

CVC Word Building Center

The last center I’d love to share with you today is a CVC word building center using a lunch tray and letter beads from Dollar Tree!

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

I love that there is a large space for the letter beads and then three other compartments to spell out the CVC words and practice segmenting and blending.  I created some simple CVC picture cards that fit perfectly into the compartment next to the beads.  Add in some plastic tweezers for some added fine motor development!

3 Amazing Center Activities That Are Easy and Cheap

Want the CVC picture cards?  I’ve uploaded a file with differentiated cards and recording sheets as a FREEBIE for you!  Simply click the image the below to grab your free copy!

Looking for even more Dollar Tree inspired centers?  Visit my friends by clicking the images below!

The Kindergarten Smorgasboard

Kindergarten Chaos

Male Kindergarten Teacher

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