Whether you are new to child care or looking to make some upgrades the furniture at your program this guide to budget friendly furniture will put you on the path towards the perfect program space. In child care, budgets are tight and expectations are high, this guide will help you to find the best child care furniture for your center.
| Best | Best Value | Best Budget | |
| Dress-Up Furniture |  ERC4Kids Dressup Center |  Value Line Dressup Storage |  Simple Houseware Garment Rack |
| Book Storage |  Contender Book Organizer |  ECR4Kids Book Display |  Naomi Book Sling |
| Art Supply Storage |  ECR4Kids Storage Cabinet |  Honey-Can-Do Rolling Cart |  ECR4Kids Mobile Storage Organizer |
| Personal Storage |  ECR4Kids Coat Lockers |  Wall Mount Coat Strip |  Round Organizer |
| Gym Storage |  Heavy-Duty Champion Cart |  Ball Locker |  Ball Bag |
| Game Storage |  ECR4Kids Fold & Lock Cabinet |  ECR4Kids 5-Section Cabinet |  Amazon Basic 4-Self |
Soft Space Furniture |  Portable Recliner |  Big Joe Bean Bag Chair |  Amazon Basics Camping Chair |
Best Dress Up Corner Furniture for any Budget
A dress up corner is a great addition to your dramatic play center. Providing clothes for pretend play is a great way to get kids problem solving and thinking about the world around them. A dress up corner should consist of dress up clothes, hats, scarfs and other accessories for boys and girls. In addition to the supplies your corner should also feature furniture to display and organize the supplies. Here are the top rated budget dress up corner furniture available today.
ECR4Kids Play Dress-Up Island with Coat Hooks and Mirrors
Dress-up time is so much fun! A classroom sized, birch hardwood, Dress-up Island has 10 hooks for costumes, a top shelf for hats or smaller items, and a shoe tray in the base. Heavy-duty casters included for mobility. Full-length acrylic mirrors on both ends.
The mobile dress-up center measures 35″ H 48″ W x 134″ D which makes it a good size for your after school program. The downside to this piece of furniture is the caster wheels can make it unsteady. You need to watch children to make sure they are not in or climbing on the furniture because it will tip over if it is used improperly. This safety issue can easily be resolved with a review of rules and expectations. The ECR4Kids has our vote for best dress up furniture.
Value Line Dress Up Storage
The perfect place to hold your dress up clothes. Sized just for children, this dress up unit includes a storage shelf on top, hooks (no need to mess with hangers), and an acrylic mirror to make sure everything is “just right”. . There is some assembly required, but this dress up furniture wins the best bang for your buck title in this category.
Simple Houseware Heavy Duty Clothing Garment Rack
This rack allows you to display dress-up clothes for children to have quick assess for play. The rack height is adjustable and the frame offers a solid design. This rack is nothing fancy, but it provides storage for dress up clothes in a quality design. This rack is the best budget dress up item.
Best Book shelf for any Budget in Child Care
Having a quality way to display books is an important part of providing an engaging book nook or reading corner. All of these options offer children the opportunity to easily browse through available reading materials. All of the following book carts have high reviews and will add taste and functionality to your program.
Contender mobile Book Organizer
This rolling kids’ storage cart has rounded corners to protect tots who use it from pointy edges. Constructed of Baltic Birch wood, with tuff-gloss finish. This tiered child care furniture is a must-have in after school programs.
ECR4Kids ELR-0335 Birch Hardwood Double-Sided Book Display Stand for Kids
Keep books neatly organized and easy for kids to access with this single-sided wooden book display from ECR4Kids. Its tiered simple-to-reach shelves allow for arranging and showcasing any favorite storybook collection. The display makes an excellent choice for a daycare, classroom, library, or community center—or even for a kid’s bedroom or play area at home.
Naomi Home Kids Toy Sling Book Rack, Primary Colors/Natural
The Naomi kids toy sling book rack is a great addition for any book nook. Store and display five levels of books for easy access and cleanup in this colorful bookshelf available in three finishes of natural white or espresso the sling bookcase will fit into any decor fabric choices.
Best Art Supply Cart for any Budget in Child Care
Any quality after school program will have a nice art cart that holds all the supplies necessary for children to create craft projects. All of the following options have positive reviews.
ECR4Kids Birch 5-Section School Classroom Storage Cabinet with Casters
Made of durable natural finished birch, the storage cabinet features 12 inch deep compartments to hold craft supplies or ECR4Kids bins at an easy-to-reach height. Includes optional heavy-duty casters for added mobility from one place to another. Available in three different heights, 24 inch, 30 inch and 36 inch.
​Honey-Can-Do CRT-03477 All Purpose Rolling Activity Cart
Honey-Can-Do all purpose activity cart. The perfect accessory for any classroom, this cart provides plenty of pockets and bins to store all of the teaching essentials. Side pockets on either edge allow for easy storage for small items while the bins in the center hold larger items. Center organizer includes four bins on the middle level and three bins on the bottom level.
ECR4Kids 3-Tier Metal Rolling Utility Cart – Heavy Duty Mobile Storage Organizer, Red
Three tiers, unlimited utility — get creative with the 3-tier Utility Cart from ECR4Kids. Three tiers of basket shelves on a durable rolling frame allow for numerous storage possibilities. Its open-ended nature allows you to think outside the box
Best Personal Storage Furniture for any Budget in Child Care
Every program needs a place for children to put their personal items. Below are the three best options for storing backpacks, coats and more. The pricing categories are based on each unit, you will likely need more than one to have enough space for all the children in your program.
ECR4Kids Birch School Coat Locker for and Kids, 5-Section with Bench
This option for storage is the highest quality but it comes with a high price. The multi-functional unit features 15 compartments, with two hooks each in five of the compartments for hanging sweaters, jackets and backpacks. Five cubby compartments on the top and on the bottom of the unit store personal belongings and shoes.
​Childcraft Wall Mount Coat Strip​
​Childcraft offers a convenient storage rack for coats and backpacks in any environment. Built with seven aluminum, double hooks mounted on an 11-ply birch panel. Conveniently assembled. Measures 47-15/16 W x 1-7/8 D x 4 H inches. Weighs 5 pounds. Made with a UV acrylic finish.
Round Plastic Toy Organizing Holder
These round laundry like baskets are a great way to organize kids personal items in an affordable and efficient way. Nestable and flexible handles make it easy to grab. Portable basket for easy clean up.
Best Gross Motor Storage for any Budget in Child Care
Gross motor Storage is often an after thought in child care. When acquire balls, jump ropes, hula hoops and all things necessary for proper gross motor play you need a way to store and or transport the items. If your lucky you have a closet dedicated to storage, but most of us need to improvise. Below are the best budget friendly gross motor storage solutions for your after school program.
Champion Sports High Impact All-Terrain Heavy-Duty Cart
​The Champion Sports high impact all-terrain heavy-duty cart is the ultimate in versatile indoor and outdoor equipment transport. Constructed of durable plastic with two large removable baskets, this cart rolls on heavy-duty all-terrain rear wheels and front swivel casters. The cart also features convenient foldaway handles and the space to carry up to 24 balls, plus hoop, jump ropes and other accessories.
BSN Standard Portable Ball Locker
​The Standard Portable Ball Locker is a sports ball locker that wont break your budget. This ball locker features a heavy gauge wire mesh body with multi-directional wheels.The hinged cover can be locked. Locks not included. Some assembly required.
Heavy Duty XL Soccer Mesh Equipment Ball Bag​
This bag features a 13 gallon super size capacity that holds over 13 adult size soccer balls and all the equipment you need. Features a free standing design for quick and easy access. This bag is constructed from premium polyester fabric and commercial grade mesh. Perfect for balls, sporting goods, scuba gears, beach gears, laundry, and storage.
Best Board Game Carts for any Budget
Board games are a great way to get kids working together and learning in an enjoyable way. Most school age programs require that you have enough board games so that every child can be playing a game at the same time. Depending on the size of your program this could mean you need alot of board games and a place to store them. Below are the best budget game carts available today.
ECR4Kids Birch School Classroom Fold & Lock, 5-Section Storage Cabinet
Birch Fold and Lock School Classroom Storage Cabinets by ECR4Kids will help declutter your home, daycare or preschool by organizing toys, games, books and more. Constructed of a durable hardwood natural finished birch, each shelf measures 12″ deep at an easy-to-reach height. Each unit includes a full-length piano hinge and securely locks with a clasp closure. Option to make this storage unit mobile by installing our included heavy-duty casters.
ECR4Kids Birch 5-Section School Classroom Storage Cabinet with Casters
Organize toys, games and supplies with the school classroom compartment storage cabinet by ECR4Kids. Made of durable natural finished birch, the storage cabinet features 12 inch deep compartments to hold books, blocks or bins at an easy-to-reach height. Includes optional heavy-duty casters for added mobility from one place to another. This child care furniture piece is available in three different heights, 24 inch, 30 inch and 36 inch. For added safety, these storage cabinets are built with rounded corners.
AmazonBasics 4-Shelf Shelving Unit on 3” Casters
Create valuable vertical space with this sleek-looking shelving unit from AmazonBasics. Combining contemporary good looks with a conveniently adjustable design. A useful addition to any living space or storage area, the shelving unit offers remarkable strength, convenience, and versatility.
Best Soft Space Furniture for any Budget in Child Care
Having a soft space for children to relax is an essential to a quality school age childcare space. Weather kids need a place to sit and read or just hang out with friends making your program comfortable is key to success. Below are the highest quality, most affordable soft space items available.
Kids Recliner Sofa W/Storage Pocket & Lockable Wheels
The kids recliner sofa with storage features wheels for easy set up and side storage. This fun and comfortable furniture piece is easy to clean and perfect for kids ages 3-12.
Big Joe 638602 Milano Bean Bag Chair
Reinforced stitching on the sides, arms, and back—as well as our body-contouring Megahh Beans inside—give you your fill of support. SmartMax fabric is easy to clean and makes this chair a great fit in kid’s rooms, dorm rooms, basements, bedrooms – or any room! Big Joe is an affordable option for child care furniture.
AmazonBasics Camping Chair
Oversized portable camping chair with fully cushioned seat and back. Includes storage pocket for misc items. Heavy-duty steel frame that is collapsible and compact. Backed by an AmazonBasics this chair is the perfect addition to your child care furniture collection.
Pingback: Set Up a Quality After School Environment - That After School Life
Pingback: How to Set up an After School Program Space - That After School Life