Bank Street Materials

Play-rich learning tools for curious, capable children.

Curated materials for inquiry, creativity, cooperation, dramatic play, language, math, and whole-child classroom experiences.

Paid links. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Shop Top Picks Browse Categories

Shop by Shelf

Choose materials by learning area.

Each category supports active investigation, collaboration, creativity, and meaningful hands-on learning.

Blocks & Construction

Unit blocks, ramps, and building sets that let children construct, plan, and re-create the world they see around them.

Shop Blocks & Construction

Dramatic Play & Pretend

Costumes, props, and pretend play sets that help children process experiences, cooperate, and build language through story.

Shop Dramatic Play

Books & Language

Picture books, sequencing cards, and storytelling tools that grow vocabulary through shared reading and real conversation.

Shop Books & Language

Math & Manipulatives

Counting bears, pattern blocks, and measuring tools that make numbers and problem-solving part of everyday play.

Shop Math Materials

Art & Nature Studio

Open-ended art supplies and nature exploration tools that invite hands-on investigation, creativity, and real-world discovery.

Shop Art & Nature

Top Picks

Popular tools for early learners.

A quick starting point for families and teachers building a playful, inquiry-rich learning shelf.

TOWO Wooden Stacking Boxes & Sorting Cups

A classic proportional block set for building, balancing, and representing real structures, ideal for cooperative floor play and open-ended design.

4.6

Best for: Building & construction play Look for a full range of proportional shapes rather than a small starter set.

Shop on Amazon

20 PCS Community Helper Dress-Up Vests

Role-play costumes and props for doctor, firefighter, and other community roles, supporting dramatic play, cooperation, and social studies themes.

4.5

Best for: Dramatic play & social studies Choose washable fabric and simple fastenings kids can manage independently.

Shop on Amazon

It's OK to be Different

A varied set of picture books for daily read-alouds, conversation starters, and vocabulary building across different families and experiences.

4.8

Best for: Read-aloud time & vocabulary Rotate a small stack weekly rather than displaying an entire library at once.

Shop on Amazon

Paid links — we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Building & Representing

Blocks & Construction

Open-ended building materials that let children recreate what they see, plan cooperatively, and test ideas about balance and space.

TOWO Wooden Stacking Boxes & Sorting Cups

A proportional set of building blocks for towers, roads, and rooms that children design and rebuild together.

4.6

Best for: Structural building Choose a full range of proportional shapes for real architectural building.

Shop on Amazon

253 PCS Construction Race Tracks Toy Set

Connectable ramps and tracks for testing speed, gravity, and cause-and-effect through hands-on building.

4.6

Best for: Cause & effect play Look for sturdy connectors that hold up to daily rebuilding.

Shop on Amazon

Coodoo Magnetic Tiles STEM Building Blocks 40PCS

Colorful magnetic tiles for open-ended 3D construction, geometry exploration, and group building projects.

4.9

Best for: Open-ended construction Larger tile sets encourage more elaborate group building.

Shop on Amazon

Stock a block corner Browse unit blocks, ramps, magnetic tiles, and small figures for building and re-creating the world.

Browse Blocks & Construction

Paid links — we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Story, Role & Cooperation

Dramatic Play & Pretend

Costumes, props, and pretend play sets that help children process experiences, practice cooperation, and build language through story.

130 PCS Toddler Pretend Kitchen Playset

Play food, cookware, and market props that support imaginative role play and everyday vocabulary.

4.6

Best for: Imaginative role play Look for durable pieces that can handle repeated group play.

Shop on Amazon

20 PCS Community Helper Dress-Up Vests

Dress-up costumes for doctor, firefighter, and other community roles that connect play to real-world social studies.

4.5

Best for: Social studies & role play Washable fabric and simple fastenings hold up best in daily use.

Shop on Amazon

Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets

A tabletop theater and puppet set for retelling stories, practicing dialogue, and building confidence with an audience.

4.6

Best for: Storytelling & language A small starter set of puppets is easier to manage than a large collection.

Shop on Amazon

Build a dramatic play corner Explore costumes, puppets, play food, and pretend play props for cooperative storytelling.

Browse Dramatic Play

Paid links — we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Words, Stories & Conversation

Books & Language

Picture books, storytelling tools, and language materials that grow vocabulary through real conversation and shared reading.

It's OK to be Different

A varied set of picture books that reflect different families and experiences for daily read-alouds and discussion.

4.8

Best for: Read-aloud time Rotate a small stack weekly rather than displaying an entire library at once.

Shop on Amazon

Sequencing Cards for Storytelling & Speech Therapy

Picture card sets for putting events in order, supporting narrative structure and early comprehension skills.

4.7

Best for: Narrative & sequencing skills Start with three-step sequences before moving to longer stories.

Shop on Amazon

WATINC Farm Animals Felt Board Set

A felt board and character pieces for retelling familiar stories and inventing new ones in a small group.

4.5

Best for: Retelling & language practice Simple, recognizable characters work best for early retelling.

Shop on Amazon

Grow a classroom library Find picture books, sequencing cards, and storytelling tools for daily read-alouds.

Browse Books & Language

Paid links — we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Counting, Patterns & Problem-Solving

Math & Manipulatives

Hands-on counting and pattern materials that make numbers, measurement, and problem-solving part of everyday play.

Bmag Counting Bears with Matching Sorting Cups

Colorful counting bears and sorting cups for one-to-one counting, sorting, and simple pattern games.

4.8

Best for: Counting & sorting Larger bears are easier and safer for younger children to handle.

Shop on Amazon

SpriteGru 300 PCS Wooden Pattern Blocks Set

Geometric pattern blocks for building designs, exploring symmetry, and recognizing shapes and patterns.

4.7

Best for: Shape & pattern recognition Pair with printed pattern cards for guided practice.

Shop on Amazon

Learning Resources Primary Bucket Balance Scale

A simple balance scale for comparing weight, testing predictions, and connecting math to hands-on investigation.

4.6

Best for: Measurement & comparison Sturdy plastic scales hold up better than lightweight versions.

Shop on Amazon

Build a math exploration bin Compare counting bears, pattern blocks, balance scales, and measuring tools.

Browse Math & Manipulatives

Paid links — we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Exploration, Materials & Discovery

Art & Nature Studio

Open-ended art supplies and nature exploration tools that invite hands-on investigation, creativity, and real-world discovery.

FUNZBO Arts and Crafts Supplies Kit for Kids

Paint, clay, paper, and collage materials for open-ended creative expression without a fixed outcome.

4.5

Best for: Creative expression Washable, non-toxic supplies matter most for daily classroom use.

Shop on Amazon

INNOCHEER Kids Explorer & Bug Catcher Kit

Bug catchers, nets, and collection jars that turn outdoor time into hands-on nature study.

4.6

Best for: Outdoor discovery Pair with a simple field journal for recording observations.

Shop on Amazon

Portable Digital Microscope for Kids

Child-sized magnifiers and investigation tools for close-up looking, comparing, and recording discoveries.

4.3

Best for: Hands-on investigation Shatter-resistant lenses are worth the extra cost for classroom use.

Shop on Amazon

Set up an art & discovery table Shop art supplies, nature tools, magnifiers, and hands-on science materials.

Browse Art & Nature Studio

Paid links — we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Shelf Ideas

Simple bundles for common goals.

Use these as starting points, then rotate materials based on the child's age, interest, and readiness.

Builder's Corner Starter

A first set for construction, balance, and cooperative building projects.

Dramatic Play Basket

Costumes, props, and puppets for cooperative pretend play and storytelling.

Story & Language Nook

Tools for read-alouds, retelling, and everyday vocabulary building.

Discovery Table Reset

A hands-on setup for art, measurement, and outdoor investigation.

Bank Street Early Learning Curriculums

Build a playful shelf for inquiry, creativity, and community.

Start with open-ended, child-accessible materials, observe what sparks conversation, then rotate thoughtfully as projects and interests grow.

Explore the Shop