Free and DIY Ideas for your Preschool Building Center

Free and DIY Ideas for your Preschool Building Center

Spruce up your preschool building center with these free and DIY ideas!
The construction area is a hub of action. There is so much learning happening in this space, from building towers-to creating cities. The work being done here is empowering the engineers of the future.

Items for this space can be particularly expensive. A quality set of unit blocks can set you back hundreds of dollars. You will also find the cost of building accessories, such as pretend people, vehicles, and building sets, starts to add up.

Below you will find a collection of Free and DIY blocks/building sets, and building accessories that you can create for a fraction of the cost. I'm highlighting some of my favorite ideas from around the web, and ideas that have been shared by our members and readers.

Make Your Own Blocks

There are a variety of ways to make your own blocks! Preschoolers can help make them which will increase engagement and creativity.

These DIY Student Blocks are great for personalizing the block center and changing it up often. This is an easy and fun tutorial that preschoolers will enjoy being a part of.

Chalkboard blocks are great for customizing little towns! See how to make these fabulous DIY Chalkboard city blocks from Hello Bee

Make some Sandpaper Blocks for some added sensory fun.

DIY Magnetic Blocks tutorial from You Clever Monkey look easy to make!

Interlocking Building

Interlocking blocks such as Lego and tinker toys are excellent for fine motor development and engineering! Here are some DIY and Free ideas to implement.

Erica P. of Erica's Educare Learning center created these DIY Tinker Toys for her program.

Building with PVC from Little Bins for Little Hands

Erica P. of Erica's Educare Learning Center created these DIY translucent blocks. You can find a tutorial from And Next Come L, on how to make similar blocks yourself.

Add Details to your Blocks

Your blocks can be changed up to add details to support engagement and thematic play.

Architectural Building blocks on Instructables added wonderful details to blocks for engagement.

Building area accessories

Having a variety of accessories is important for the block center. Swap out accessories based on interest, theme, or season to keep things interesting.

DIY Animal Blocks from Erica's Educare Learning Center. You could also use this same concept using the photos of the children in your care, trees, the homes they live in, and buildings around your community. In addition to applying the images with modge podge you can also using clear packing tape, or contact paper to adhere them to your blocks.

Amanda W. of Tykes 'N Tots Preschool & Daycare created these fun street signs for her childcare program.

Add a variety of materials for preschoolers to create small world play scenarios! Our Free Pumpkin Patch Small World Play pack is great for this.

Cassandra S. of Mud Pies and Butterflies, used all kinds of DIY and recycled items for her small world play area.  The bridge is hardwood flooring remnants, the mountain is a clementine box, the snow is quilting batting, and the the water is a cut up bath mat. The Log, pine cones, and wood cookies were all from her yard.

Make your own Dad Blocks for your center. These were designed to compliment Father's Day, the options here are really endless!

Use Recycled Materials

Cheryl  V. of Cherie's Learning Tree shared a whole city street of DIY items! 

Egg Carton Building Blocks from the Pinterested Parent make great use of recycled egg cartons and add some fun color!

Houses made from packing material from Reciclando en la Escuela

Sheena W. of Building Blocks Family Childcare created these DIY Blocks by wrapping containers in duct tape. She also uses recycled materials such as these yogurt containers as building toys.

DIY car ramps from the Imagination Tree

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More Free & DIY Ideas:

DIY Road Signs from And Next Comes L
DIY Wooden Roads from Buggy & Buddy
DIY Fencing from Powerful Mothering

I hope you found some inspiration for your Block Space!

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You might like: 

Find more inspiration for creating a Space for Construction
Free & DiY Ideas for Dramatic Play
Let's Build Poster Pack
Pattern Block Mats