Southern Utah University

Sorenson Legacy Foundation

Center for Hope

Wish List: Loose Parts and Other Supplies

As we get this beautiful new center up and running, we can use lots of help to gather supplies for a variety of needs. Below (via drop down menus) are some lists of items we can always use. Many are things you may already have around your house or even regularly throw away. Let us give them a good home!

Donations can be dropped off at the main entry of the Center for Hope.

Loose Parts

Children are naturally drawn to objects that allow open-ended play. You’ve probably seen it yourself when they ignore the toy in order to spend hours exploring the box it came in. Loose parts play can encourage learning and development in children of all ages. Loose parts can include found/free materials, upcycled and repurposed materials, and collections from nature.

Source: Red Leaf Press Loose Parts

Loose Parts Wish List - What You Can Give:

  • Buttons

  • Wood scraps

  • Tree blocks

  • Spools

  • Corks

  • Lids (like milk lids, soda bottle lids, etc.)

  • Fabric flowers & leaves

  • Wallpaper samples

  • Colored jewel rocks

  • Pinecones

  • River rocks

  • Golf tees

  • Measuring cups, scoops, funnels

  • Plastic tubing, garden hose

  • Egg cartons

  • Tubes (paper towels, wrapping paper, etc.)

  • Newspaper

  • Film canisters with lids (little plastic ones)

  • Sea shells

  • Fabric scraps, scarves

  • Craft supplies (all sorts)

  • Ropes

  • Construction scraps (gutters, MDF, PVC connectors, molding, carpet, tile, etc.)

  • Nuts and bolts, gears

  • Stumps, large branches, willow tree cuttings or trimmed branches

  • Canning jar lids and rings

  • Straws (new)

  • CDs

  • Coffee filters (new)

  • Miscellaneous game pieces

  • Random puzzle pieces

  • Coffee cans

  • Keys

  • Coins

  • Marbles

  • Measuring tapes

  • Magnets

  • Plastic ice cream tubs

  • Plastic Christmas ornaments

  • Potpourri

Here's a photo album with lots of other ideas, too.

Art Supplies

Allowing children's creative exploration through a variety of art media promotes physical, cognitive and social & emotional development. Facilitating this exploration means providing ample and varied supplies. In addition to the tools we provide, there are lots of consumable products (paper, paint, etc.) that we can use.

Art Supplies Wish List - What You Can Give:

  • Leftover scrapbooking supplies

  • Wrapping supplies (wrapping paper, raffia, ribbon, gift bags)

  • Craft sticks

  • Pipe cleaners

  • Beads

  • Ribbon, lace

  • Sequins

  • Feathers

  • Q-tips, cotton balls (new packages only)

  • Paint brushes (all styles and sizes)

  • Makeup brushes

  • Yarn

  • Magazines (child appropriate)

  • Paper of all sorts

  • Greeting cards

  • Glue Sticks

  • Hot glue supplies

  • Tape

Other Supplies

We strive to provide an environment that supports and promotes children's growth and development. There are always additional supplies that can aid us in these efforts. These range from extra winter clothing to cooking tins to old telephones, with lots of other random items in the mix. Here is a list of some supplies that are currently on our minds.

Other Supplies Wish List - What You Can Give:

  • New or gently used children's books

  • Working typewriter

  • Old rotary phones

  • Envelopes, stationary, notebooks (writing supplies of all sorts)

  • Ice cube trays

  • Muffin tins

  • Paint trays

  • Paint rollers

  • Silicone molds, jell-o molds, cake molds

  • Pie tins

  • Salad spinners

  • Bath poufs (new only)

  • Bubbles, bubble wands

  • Embroidery hoops

  • Leftover seeds (gardening)

  • Dress-up clothes

  • Rain boots

  • Snow pants and suits; mud suits

  • Warm gloves and mittens (new or like new)

  • Extra socks (new)

  • Dry beans, pasta, rice, wheat, popcorn kernels

Want To Donate More?

Check out our ongoing Amazon Wish List for more ideas on what we can use at our center.