5 Fun and Playful Ways to Introduce Kindergarten Classroom Supplies

When I first began teaching kindergarten, I overlooked an important step – introducing classroom supplies.  As a former first grade teacher, I didn’t see as much need for this, as the children were already familiar with how to use pencils, scissors, glue sticks, etc.  But I soon learned that kindergarten was a whole different story!

While some of my kiddos had experiences with classroom supplies in preschool, many had not, and I found myself getting super frustrated when a cute cutting craft quickly went haywire, because many children had little or no experience with scissors.

So now I start every school year with a solid introduction of each school tool that the children will be using. Here are 5 fun ways that you can try with your own kids as you introduce each kindergarten classroom supply!

Fun and Playful Ways to Introduce Kindergarten Classroom Supplies

Number 1: Make it a Mystery

Build anticipation for each classroom supply by hiding them inside a mystery bag,  box, or basket.  Give 3 clues that describe the object’s color, shape, size, or texture and help children picture the object.  Children really enjoy this daily routine, in the first weeks of school, and look forward to the big reveal.  It may only be a box of crayons, but there’s something about putting it in a box and making it a surprise that helps children see it as something special and a privilege to use.

Once the school tool is revealed, follow the steps of a guided discovery to generate ideas about how the tool is used, why it’s important, how it should be cared for, and where it should be stored.  Ask children to share their own experiences about using the tool and whether they use it at home. 

Number 3: Allow Time for Exploration

As part of the guided discovery process, children are given time to explore the new material. This can be done in an open-ended or teacher-directed way.  For example, children might free explore crayons on paper and choose what to draw or color.  Or they might explore crayons as they color a birthday crown to wear on their special day.

In either case, children gain practice using the material, as well as with procedures for care and cleanup.  This also provides time for you to observe the children and record their hand dominance, and note whether they use a correct pencil or scissor grip.

Designate a box or a bin to be your classroom Lost and Found. Teach children that when they find a loose crayon or pencil on the floor, they can bring it to the Lost and Found. Likewise, if a child is in need of a pencil or a specific color crayon, they can visit the Lost and Found to find what they need.

To practice this procedure, play the Lost and Found game. Hide a specific number of kindergarten classroom supplies around the room.  Set a timer and give children an allotted amount of time to find the supplies and place them in the Lost and Found bin.  When time is up, count the number of items to see if they have found them all. Leave the items in the Lost and Found as start-up extras for those short on  supplies.

Once you’ve introduced all your kindergarten classroom supplies, challenge your kiddos to go on a School Tool Scavenger Hunt to find where each is located.  Some may be community supplies, that are stored on a table or bookshelf. And some may be individual supplies that are kept in individual tool boxes.  Either way, give each child a recording sheet and a clipboard (after you’ve introduced these of course!) and ask them to check off each item, as it is found in the classroom.

Kindergarten Supplies Kick-Off Plan

I introduce many of the basic kindergarten classroom supplies, such as glue, scissors, markers, crayons, pencils and more, within the first 2 weeks of school using the Kindergarten Kick-Off Deck: Introducing Materials.  It incorporates all 5 of the above ideas into and easy-to-use and complete digital plan.  Editable Google Slides make it easy to customize the deck to meet your individual needs.

Kindergarten Classroom Supplies All Year Long

You might think that once you’ve introduced all your basic materials you are done for the year. Not so. Each time you bring in new supplies, such as for math or centers, incorporate some of the above ideas into your instructional plan.  Having made it a priority at the start of the school year will familiarize you with a routine, so that you can draw upon it all year long.

Because sometimes what we think we need to teach in the moment, like math or reading, needs to take a backseat to equipping children with the skills they’ll need to use and care for supplies properly.