One of the questions I get asked most often is:
Where did you get that?
After 28 years as a school-based occupational therapy assistant, the answer is simple…
Most likely either Dollar Tree or Amazon! Ok, well, sometimes a yard sale.
Each has its strengths, and over the years I’ve figured out which items are worth hunting for at the dollar store and which ones I prefer to order online.
My Favorite Dollar Tree Finds
I never walk into Dollar Tree expecting to find something specific because inventory changes all the time. Instead, I keep an eye out for materials I know I’ll use over and over.
Blank Yard Sale Stickers
These are one of my favorite alternative pencils.
Students can write on the stickers and build sentences, label pictures, sequence directions, or create stories without needing to write directly on paper.
Muffin Tins
Perfect for:
- Sorting
- Fine motor activities
- Color matching
- Counting
- Letter and number games
- Sensory bins
They’re inexpensive, durable, and incredibly versatile.
Small Cookie Sheets
Cookie sheets become instant magnetic workspaces.
I use them with:
- Magnetic letters
- Word building
- Letter matching
- Play dough
- Shaving cream writing
- Visual scanning activities
Shaving Cream
One can lasts a surprisingly long time.
It’s great for:
- Letter formation
- Sight words
- Name writing
- Numbers
- Shapes
- Sensory exploration
Small Plastic Characters
The toy section is probably my favorite aisle.
The selection changes constantly, but I’ve found characters from:
- Paw Patrol
- Peppa Pig
- Disney
- Sesame Street
Students are immediately more motivated when they recognize their favorite characters.
Seasonal Stickers, Mini Erasers, and More
I always stock up.
They work well for:
- I Spy sensory bins
- Sorting activities
- Fine motor games
- Rewards
- Counting
- Patterns
- Literacy activities
What I Prefer to Buy on Amazon
Some supplies get used so often that I want a specific brand or better quality.
These are the items I recommend ordering online.
- Brother label makers
- Label maker refills
- Plastic magnetic letters
- Kinetic sand and letter stamps
- Games like TENZI, Clack, Pass the Pigs, Left Center Right…
- Paint stick markers
- Mini bingo daubers
- Address labels
- Ferby pencils
- White craft paper
- Mini erasers
- A lot of Stickers
These are products I’ve used with hundreds of students over the years and continue to reach for every week.
Visit My Amazon Store
I’ve organized my favorite therapy supplies into easy-to-browse idea lists so you don’t have to spend hours searching.
Whether you’re setting up your first therapy room, replacing worn-out supplies, or looking for new ideas, you’ll find the products I actually use in school-based occupational therapy.
👉 Browse my Amazon Store here:
Final Thoughts
You don’t need an unlimited therapy budget to create engaging sessions.
Some of my most-used supplies came from Dollar Tree.
Others were investments that have lasted for years.
The key isn’t spending more—it’s finding materials that are flexible enough to use with students of different ages, abilities, and goals.
I’d love to hear from you!
What’s the best therapy supply you’ve ever found at Dollar Tree? I would love to hear from you.
About the Author
I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and have been working in a public school system for more than 25 years. My resources can be found on TPT, BOOM Learning, Made by Teachers, Classful, and Your Therapy Source. I appreciate your interest, wherever you wish to shop.
I also now have workbooks on Amazon.
My mission is to help you find creative ideas to incorporate fine motor, visual perception, gross motor, and social-emotional learning into your lessons.
I hope you consider signing up for my Free Resource Library with your Email. I send out emails about once a week and share resources, tips, and planning ideas for your classroom or occupational therapy needs. Hopefully, these help your students work on building their skills in a fun and engaging way.
Thank you for your interest in my resources and ideas. I hope you will consider following my journey on TPT or wherever you wish to shop.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
