Memorizing the Moments: Early Learning Tools

Updated! I am constantly collecting educational toys and tools, and love seeing what other people use!
In case there are other moms like me, here is a collection of some of early education tools we have used.

However, I would like to note did not buy even half of these new, so spending tons of money on educational tools is not necessary! I have had phenomenal luck at garage sales and consignment shops. I also have supportive friends and family who buy learning tools and toys for birthday and holiday gifts. Plus, I buy him almost no "fluff" toys for birthdays or Christmas. I always look for educational toys that will last more than a few months.

You might also be interested in my Tot School On a Budget Post.

Early Learning Tools

Various containers and trays for sorting and displaying activities.
Venn Diagram rings - great for gross motor sorting in addition to other types of categorization
Dry Erase Cards - I have the small ones, but there are various sizes. I use them for labeling things, playing games, making categories, etc.
Dry Erase and Magnetic Easel
Magnetic Letters - We have both wooden ones and a classroom set of plastic ones. Both get used a lot.
Washable Dry Erase - we use crayons and markers (in our experience, only the Crayola markers are truly washable), depending on what we're doing.
Side Load Dry Erase Pouches - Saves on laminating. You can use for coloring pages and worksheets. The side load lets you use them on workbooks.
Manipulatives - used for color or category sorting, one to one correspondence, sensory play, addition/subtraction, etc. Here are some examples we have.