47 Free and Cheap Makerspace Supplies

Makerspaces come in all shapes and sizes. Don't be discouraged by a lack of space or budget, the most important part of your space is the mindset you establish for it.

The idea is to create a welcoming, engaging space for students where they can explore different ideas, employ self-directed learning, and solve problems using whatever tools are supplied.

Here are a few items you can reuse or recycle (meaning you can hopefully get them all for FREE). Send this list home with students and have them collect from their own homes, if possible.

1. Toilet Paper Tubes
2. Paper Towel Tubes
3. Shoeboxes
4. Plastic Jars & Containers
5. Legos
6. Egg Cartons
7. Old CDs/DVDs
8. CD Cases
9. Empty Soda Bottles
10. Old Electronics (solar devices especially)
11. Cardboard

Have a small budget on hand? Great! Here's a list of items you can get at your local dollar store:

1. Coffee Filters
2. Straws
3. Toothpicks
4. Rubber Bands
5. Index Cards
6. Q-Tips
7. Popsicle Sticks
8. Cupcake Liners
9. Masking Tape
10. Playing Cards
11. Pipe Cleaners
12. Mop Bucket
13. Paper Plates
14. Plastic Silverware
15. Plastic Bins
16. Magnets
17. Duct Tape
18. Scotch Tape
19. Cotton Balls
20. Plastic Baggies
21. Plastic Cups
22. Felt
23. Lunch Bags
24. String
25. Dental Floss
26. Flashlights
27. Envelopes
28. Coffee Stirrers
29. Paper Clips
30. Foam Boards
31. Poster Board
32. Marshmallows (regular and mini)
33. Gumdrops
34. Spaghetti (uncooked)
35. Balloons
36. Battery Operated Toothbrushes

Remember to make a donation list for parents or your local PTA, and ask if they can help out.

The above list is from Meredith Martin's training session, Getting Started with Makerspaces and STEAM, which I encourage you to view in full inside the Teacher Learning Community.

Do you feel more prepared for getting started with your own Makerspace? Let me know if you found this list useful in a comment below.

About the Author
Kimber Thompson is a Lead Moderator for SimpleK12 webinars and a Contributing Editor for SimpleK12.com. She writes frequently about education topics and is passionate about tools and techniques that inspire young learners. You may reach her with ideas and comments at editor@simplek12.com.