Tools for Tots ~ Bottle Top Names

I made 2 versions of this tool, the simple hand made version... and the bit more complex computer version...

SIMPLE VERSION ~What you will need...

• enough of the same type of bottle top (milk, water, juice, prescription bottles, etc.) to make each letter of the name you are using.
• sentence strips, cardboard, or some other sturdy rectangle to trace the tops onto.
• Sharpie marker

I am using my mini laminator to laminate mine also but you don't have to do that. I just traced the bottle tops onto the sentence strip, trimmed the strip to the size of the name, wrote the letters in the circles, and then onto the actual tops.

COMPUTER VERSION ~ What you will need...

• computer program (I used Microsoft Publisher, which I use for tons of things I make)
• bottle tops, Sharpie
• card stock
• laminator if you have one
  

In Publisher, I just used the rectangle tool to make the size I wanted, then inserted a photo from my files, sizing it to fit the opening. I used the circle tool to make the size circles I needed (printing out a paper copy to measure against my actual tops), then typed each letter in. I printed them on cardstock, laminated them, and cut them out! All done!

For an older child you could make their first and last name, or make several strips including names of family members. This isn't just a tool for tots! It could be altered in so many ways. Back when I used to teach K, we had a center called milk top spelling where I would do the same thing as the simple version shown, but use spelling words. The letters they needed were all written on a collection of milk tops.

Here's one that I am giving for a gift... (shhh Shannon, don't tell Daniel!!)

Would you like to share a Tool for Tots? Write up a post about a tool you made, be sure to include what is needed and also a photo(s). It doesn't have to be a tool you thought of on your own, if you got the idea from another website/blog, link to give them credit! Some of the best Tools for Tots are simple ideas that have been around for many years! Just be sure to post photos of the one you actually made!

Copy the link to your EXACT post (not your homepage) and leave your link below. If you'd like to add the graphic to your blog, copy and paste the html code for the graphic over on the right sidebar! Be sure to link back here somehow so we can share all of our ideas together!

Thanks for sharing your great ideas! Once we get going I will add a new page to my website to archive all of our ideas! I will also choose the frequency of the Mr Linky later on. For now, I will just post a new one whenever I think of a new tool!