Here are some ideas for what you can include on a classroom wish list. Also get a free editable printable file for creating a decorative wish list for your classroom bulletin board, door, wall, or other display.

Set Up a Classroom Wish List for Parent Night

Set this up for Open House or Parent Orientation when parents will be coming in. It works best at the beginning of the school year, as parents are more likely to buy for the classroom at the start.

Making a classroom wish list display is one of the things on my Back to School to-do list.

Write supplies you wish for on individual paper shapes and post them in your classroom in a place where parents will see it. Parents who want to donate extra supplies can choose a card, take it with them, and send the item to school. Most teachers know about this idea already, but below I’ll share what’s actually on my wish list for preschool.

Be Specific About Wish List Items

An important tip: Be specific about what you want! Attach a picture of the item or be very descriptive. Even if I ask for paper plates, I almost always end up with anything but paper plates (styrofoam, plastic, wax coated, you name it). You can write more details on the back of the wish item’s card, if needed.

Be sure to write your name somewhere on the card, either on the front or the back. Some parents may have kids in more than one class in your school, and may pick a wish list card from multiple classrooms. Later on, they forget which item goes to which teacher. I’ve had that happen before.

What I ask for on the Classroom Wish List …

(I don’t ask for all of these every year– these are things I have asked for over the years):

Batteries: AA size
Ziplocks (specify: sandwich, gallon, snack size)
Cotton balls
Color printer ink cartridges
Card stock paper (white or colored)
Colored pencils
Disposable bowls for science experiments & cooking activities
Clear disposable punch cups (for science & cooking)
Glitter glue
White paper plates (large & small)
Colored sand
Food color
Clorox or Lysol wipes
Lysol spray
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Band-aids (character prints for boys & girls)
Old magazines (esp. with pictures of animals)
Paper lunch bags (specify: white or brown)
Pastel colored copy paper
Craft pom poms
Wiggle eyes
Pipe cleaners
Play Dough
Crayola Model Magic (I specify the exact amount, where to find it, cost, & attach a photo)
Q-tips
Poster board (white)
Tissue paper (assorted colors)
Unwanted baskets or wooden bowls
Legos
Set of used or new dominoes with dots (I asked for this year for a math activity)
Crayola Color Dots water coloring tablets (for sensory table)
Baking soda & vinegar (for science experiments)

Be Sure to Say Thank You

After parents have sent in items to donate to your class, be sure to send a Thank You note to show your appreciation! You don’t have to use flowery words, just simply say “Thank you for the play dough” or something similar. You can also download a printable Thank You Note in the printables section below.

Classroom Wish List Printables

Print out this free Classroom Wish List banner to display your wish list in your classroom! This set also includes a thank you note.

Just print the Wish List Banner, cut out, and use mini clothespins to pin the banner pieces to a ribbon or string attached to your bulletin board (or wherever you wish to place it). Parents can pull a card off the line.

There is a printable PDF to fill in by handwriting in, and an editable Google Sheets version to type on.

Print or copy onto bright colored paper to draw attention to your display!

Download the Printables

These printables are FREE — just click to download!

Click to Download the PDF version

Get a Google Drive Editable Version

If you prefer to have an editable version, here’s one you can add to your Google Drive and edit there. You will be able to change the fonts, if you choose. After clicking the link below, you will need to click “Make a copy”.

Click to Download the editable Google Sheets version