Community helper bags are a great way for young learners to get to know the community around them. What's more fun than exploring the items community helpers use to help them do their jobs? These quick and easy community helper bags let students pretend to be several different members of a community and help them learn a little bit more about the jobs they do! I love how little space these six bags take up which allows my students the freedom to keep exploring!
When filling each of the six bags, I tried to create opportunities that would allow my students to explore a small part of what each of the community helpers would use in their daily job. I chose a "uniform" that each community member might wear and several small tools that could also easily fit inside the Large Tote Bags.
To bring each bag to life, you could use fabric markers or other materials to decorate the outside of the bag. I used my craft cutter and cut iron-on vinyl that matched each community helper. To iron the vinyl on each bag, place a thick hand towel under the bag, then place your iron-on vinyl on the bag. Top with a medium weight dish cloth. Set your iron for the recommended setting for your vinyl. Do NOT iron directly on the bags! They will melt! It took some trial and error, but if you use the towel underneath and on top, the melting factor will be reduced. Keep the iron moving and check to make sure your vinyl is ironed on. Once you get the vinyl ironed on, your bags will be ready to go!
Mail Carrier
The mail carrier bag was the first bag I assembled. Inside, I placed a Mail Carrier Hat, Mail Carrier Vest, and some stationery that I created on my computer. I also collected envelopes from all my junk mail (the return envelopes that come inside) and included a stack of those. For some extra fun, I added a few random self-inking stamps so my students could "cancel" the mail.
Grocer
I then moved on to the grocer bag. I began by placing the Melissa & Doug Food Groups Play Food in the bag. I then added the "Fresh Market" apron from the Kid's Career Printed Aprons set so that my students could get into "character" a bit more. Finally, I put a calculator in the bag, hoping my students would use it to add up their friends' purchases. They have been using the sturdy wooden baskets that the play food is stored in as grocery carts and sort the food by food groups to create a mini grocery store!
Construction Worker
Next up was the construction worker bag. I think this bag is one of my favorites because of all the cool tools my students can use. The Melissa & Doug Tool Kit was the perfect accessory to place in this bag! Students can use the hammer, screwdriver, or wrench on any of the included screws or nails that fasten to the wooden toolbox. I also included a Construction Worker Vest along with some Kids' Construction Hats to finish out this bag. I used a permanent marker to label the hats with different construction jobs (foreman, engineer, project manager, builder, etc.).
Scientist
My students know about my love of Science, so I had to include a community helper bag that focused on a scientist! I placed a Kids Scientist Vest in this bag along with some Super Science Test Tubes, Small Bugs, Going Buggy Bug Tongs, and DIY Binoculars. I also added in some 4x Magnifying Glasses so that my super scientists could study critters up close! I later added some small clipboards and paper so my students could draw and sketch their findings.
Veterinarian
The most loved bag so far has been the veterinarian bag! My students are thrilled to be able to help the cat and dog that are included in the vet bag! The Melissa & Doug Examine & Treat Pet Vet Set was "purr-fect" to help my students understand about the job of a veterinarian. There are lots of tools included that have cute names to help "Fluffy" and "Cute Cat" as they've been named get back to perfect health! We especially love the pet cone that is included so the patients will rest after being given their care. I added in a cute Veterinarian vest so my students can dress the part of this fun and helpful job!
Chef
The final bag is the chef bag. We are working on slicing and cutting our way to culinary perfection with the Melissa & Doug Cutting Food set. Once my students don their Chef's apron, they are ready to get to work! My students love cutting and serving up their food creations to other students in the room. Some paper plates and napkins made a fun addition to this bag as well!
I store these bags in a small area of my classroom and hang the bags on wall hooks so they are easily accessible and ready to go when my students are ready to explore! I'm working on adding more bags to this set so my students can have more options! What community helpers would you add?
