Ikea Items for Childcare

As child care providers, we are masters at repurposing and finding budget-friendly items for our childcare spaces.  Even though as childcare owners we can really appreciate a bargain, we also need durable products for our childcare.  Items that won’t break down after the first 5 kids that get hold of them.  Ikea Items for Childcare

Which is why today I want to share with you quite a few budget-friendly, but well made, Ikea products that are perfect for childcare settings.  During a recent trip, I found nine ten Ikea products that are perfect for childcare and won’t break the budget either.  Wait till you see what all 10 totaled!  This list will have you running to Ikea this weekend.

If you are anything like me, budget buying for my childcare has got to include one Swedish big box store.  That’s right I’m talking about Ikea.  Whenever I go, I feel like a kid in a candy store.  I find myself oohing and ahhing all over the place.

Here are 10 things I spied on my last trip.  I’ll tell you which ones I snagged, what I am using them for, and which ones I will be returning very soon.  

Ikea Items for Childcare

1. Puzzle Storage

First up is this piece.  I actually came to get this specific product today.  Obviously, the Kvissle Letter Tray was created to cull paper, but to me, it screamed puzzle storage.  This all-metal sorter, allows you to stack puzzles so that each one can be accessed easily.  At only $19.99, I actually have two of these now.  BTW this unit fits perfectly in Ikea’s Kallax (cubby) storage piece.

2. Road Rug

I love using an area rug as a centerpiece to a room’s design.  Not really a room-sized rug, the Stadsdel Rug is nicely sized at 51 1/8 x 52 3/8 ” and will provide many hours of dramatic play.  BONUS this rug is large enough to make a real statement in a room but small enough to roll up and store when not in use.  And what area rug can you pick up for $17.99?

3. Bendable Bins

These are another reason I came to Ikea today.  I had been looking for a long time to find bins like the Skubbare Basket.  These fabric bins are perfect for everything from soft blocks to dinosaurs.  The best thing is that they are fabric and lightweight.  This means even if the kids sit on them (and they will) and they cannot break these bins.  I love these!  At only $7.99, I got a few more to store blankets and sheets in too.

4. Train Time

Just about every childcare space I have been in has always had this stable.  Ikea’s Lillabo Train Set makes it super affordable to have a full train set.  The wooden tracks are sturdy and last through 100’s of kids, well a long time anyway.  The set comes in a few versions.  I think the 45-Piece set is your best bargain at $29.99.

5. The Art Smock

The Mala Long Sleeve Apron is the perfect kid-size art smock.  It wraps on itself in the back to provide maximum coverage.  This apron would be perfect for art projects, playdough time and so much more.  Even a messy eater could use one of these.  Super affordable at $4.99, this one is definitely on my next trip list.

6. Building Blocks

I think every play space should have blocks.  Don’t you?  The Mula Building Block Set reminds me of the small block sets that have been around for a long time.  24 brightly colored blocks fit nicely in their own little trolly.  $14.99

7. Easy Easel

The Mala Easel is a classic art easel.  With a chalkboard on one side and a whiteboard on the other, you can keep two kiddos occupied at once.  At $19.99 you could have one for indoors and one for outdoors too.  Ikea Items for Childcare

8. Time to Tunnel

Ikea’s Busa Play Tunnel is a lifesaver for me on a rainy day.  The kids love crawling through and going around to crawl through again.  I actually bought this several years ago and it has lasted through many cycles of kids.  The best thing about the tunnel is how lightweight it is and how easily it collapses to store away.  It’s so affordable at only $14.99 you will probably be able to fit the attachable tent in your budget as well.

Related Reading:  

• CHILDCARE SPACE DESIGN: 5 Inspiring Childcare Spaces
• Budget Buying for Child Care

9.  A Duo to Dance

This is a twofer.  Ikea’s Lattjo Series actually has two sets that would be perfect editions to any music and movement area.  The Tambourine comes in a 2-pack ($12.99) and the Percussion 3-Piece Set ($14.99).  Gotta get those too.

10. Toy Trucking

I was going to stop at 9 until I saw this cute Mula Crane.  This truck comes with a set of magnetic blocks making it more than the average truck.  At $14.99, I thought this was the perfect thing to round off my list of perfect Ikea Items for Childcare.

All for under $175

So for less than $175, Ikea can have your childcare outfitted pretty well.  All ten of these items total only $173.89.  Yep!  Ten items!  Now I would say that’s bargain childcare shopping at it’s best.  Ikea Items for Childcare

So did you find anything that will have you running down the freeway for this weekend?  I sure did.  Please leave a comment below and tell me what you liked on my list of Ikea Items for Childcare.

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