When setting up a playgroup for 20 families, these suggested shopping lists will provide you with a guide of what to start with.

You can print this page to check off the items as you shop – just click the print link under the page title.

Suggested shopping list for art resources

Painting

• 4 paint brushes
• 4 paint pots
• 4 art smocks
• 5 2-litre bottles of washable poster paint, 1 each of red, blue, yellow, white and black. (From these primary colours, you can mix green, orange and purple hues. Consider buying 500ml bottles of other interesting colours and shades such as fluorescent, metallic or glitter paint.)

Gluing/collage

• 2 glue pots
• 4 glue brushes
• 1 2-litre bottle of clear glue (such as clag paste) or 10 glue sticks
• 1 2-litre bottle of washable PVA glue
• 8 children’s scissors
• a collection of boxes and recycled materials, such as yoghurt containers, bottle lids, corks or drink bottles for box construction and making
• a variety of collage materials, such as bright and natural feathers, coloured pop sticks, coloured matchsticks, patty pan cases (cupcake cases), pom-poms, confetti, glitter, paper doily’s, straws, old wrapping paper or leaves.

Paper

• 1 ream of white A4 paper
• 1 ream of large butchers or easel paper
• 1 pack of A4 coloured paper
• 1 pack A4 coloured cardboard
• 1 pack assorted coloured cellophane
• 1 pack assorted coloured tissue paper.

Drawing/writing

• chubby chalk
• 1 pack of 8 crayons
• 1 pack of 8 washable markers
• 1 pack of 8 coloured pencils and sharpener
• whiteboard markers
• containers or storage caddies for art supplies.

Playdough

• homemade playdough
• 4 playdough rollers and 8 to 10 cutters.

Other

• 2 to 4 plastic kitty litter trays or similar (for sensory play)
• 1 pack of reusable adhesive (Blu-tack or similar)
• 2 large tape dispensers and tape
• 2 staplers and staples.

Suggested shopping list for toys and equipment

Blocks

• Duplo
• Lego
• wooden blocks.

Home corner

• home corner furniture (such as stove, sink, cupboard, table and chairs)
• home corner equipment, such as plates, bowls, cups, tea pot, cutlery, pots and pans
• dress ups and dramatic play props, such as:
  • fruit and veg
  • cash register
  • old phone
  • old computer
  • bags
  • purses
  • shoes
  • old baking or muffin trays
  • saucepans
  • empty food or drink packages
  • construction, police or fire hats
  • doctor’s kit
  • hairdresser's kit
  • shopping kit
  • café or restaurant, post office or pet shop items
• kitchen items:
  • 4 cutting boards
  • bowls and cups
  • 4 peelers
  • 4 graters
  • child safe knives
  • mortar and pestle (optional)
  • set of mixing bowls
  • wooden spoons
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • jugs.

Outdoor

• balls
• sand toys
• sandpit or large plastic container or sand trays (kitty litter trays)
• climbing and outdoor equipment such as slippery dips, balancing boards and tunnels
• ride-on toys
• push and pull along toys like a wheelbarrow, pull along puppy, trailer or walker.

Imagination/dramatic and creative

• cars or trains
• dolls
• puzzles
• books (board and picture)
• painting easel
• blankets or sheets for cubbies
• baby toys and rattles
• mirrors
• magnifying glasses
• magnets
• musical instruments
• bubble mix and wands
• scarves
• small world play items:
  • dinosaurs
  • farm animals
  • sea creatures
  • zoo and wild animals
  • insects and bugs.