Two Words - Thrift Stores

I have never been the type of person who likes to dig around in other people's junk!  That is until a friend made me go with her to a thrift store.
OH MY GOODNESS!
You would not believe the bargains if you think creatively!  I know you probably won't be able to go and find these exact things, but it might just get you thinking and visiting thrift stores for yourself!

If you don't have the book "Bark, George," you need it!  George's mom tells him to bark, but he makes the sounds of several different other animals.  She takes him to the vet, who pulls out all these animals.  To make this, I cut open the mouth of this stuffed dog and took out part of the stuffing.  I found all the animals that were inside George at the thrift store, too, and stuffed them in his mouth in order so I can pull them out like the vet does in the book!

I bought this big stuffed alligator to make a purse for "The Old Lady with the Alligator Purse."  I just opened up the seam on top and hand-sewed in a little pocket.  I also added a wide ribbon for a handle.

Wide Mouth Frog that actually croaks!

Stretchy the Word Snake - Jack Hartmann song

Ollie the Otter - Jack Hartmann song

Willoughby Walloughby Woo!

You know what is the best thing?  These things were like 79 each!  You can find board games, electronic games, children's books, video tapes, small toys to use as manipulatives, blocks, etc...  

*Just in case you are in Alabama, I found these things and MUCH more at the America's Thrift Store just off I-65 at the Alabaster-Saginaw exit.