Easy Life Skills Centers You Can Set Up on a Budget

In this blog post today I’m sharing 10 easy life skills centers that you can set up on a budget.. Or even, possibly for free! All of these centers and hands-on and give your students real-life experiences.

Life skills centers are one of my favorite ways to bring real-world learning into the classroom. They’re hands-on, meaningful, and give students the chance to practice everyday tasks they’ll actually use later in life.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need a fancy classroom setup, a huge budget, or a brand-new curriculum to get started. Some of the best life skills centers come from everyday objects, things you already have at home, can grab at the dollar store, or can ask families to send in.

Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite cheap, easy, and functional life skills centers that you can set up in your classroom with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Just in case you want to shop for some of the items, I’ve attached my favorites below too. Or even just to give you ideas. I also find it helpful to set up an Amazon wish list and send it to friends, family and even on my social media for when you’re setting up new centers like this too.

This blog post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item through my affiliate link, I may receive a % of commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support me, my family and my blog to bring you great content for free!

1. Sock Match-Up Station

This one is always a hit, and super easy to prep.

What you need:

A basket or bin full of clean socks (ask families to donate old ones!)

How it works: Students sort and match socks by size, color, or pattern. You can have them:

Match pairs
Fold them and roll them up
Sort by size or who they belong to (if labeled)

Why it works: It’s great for visual discrimination, fine motor skills, and practical laundry prep.

Amazon List

*These links are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item through my affiliate link, I may receive a % of commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support me, my family and my blog to bring you great content for free!

2. Doll Laundry Sorting

Yes, this one includes Barbies (or any dolls) and yes, it’s a classroom favorite.

What you need:

A small basket of doll clothes (thrift stores are your best friend)
Two labeled bins or laundry baskets: Lights and Darks

How it works: Students sort the doll clothes into the correct baskets. You can also add a pretend washing machine (a cardboard box works!) and have students act out the laundry process.

Bonus: Let them hang the doll clothes to “dry” with pegs on a string. You can also dirty some of the clothes and have them sort dirty/clean.

Why it works: This teaches sorting by attribute, introduces laundry vocabulary, and gives students a mini real-life task they can understand and enjoy.

Amazon List

3. Utensil Sorting Tray

What you need:

A plastic cutlery tray (ask families or grab one from the dollar store)
A mix of spoons, forks, knives (no sharp edges!)

How it works: Students sort the utensils into the correct compartments. You can also add visuals or labels for extra support.

Why it works: It’s quick to set up, easy to differentiate, and builds practical skills for kitchen independence.

Amazon Links

4. Button Sorting or Sewing Center

What you need:

Buttons of different sizes and colors
Threading string or small sewing cards (or felt squares with holes)

How it works: Students sort buttons by color, size, or number of holes. You can also have them practice threading them onto yarn or felt.

Why it works: This strengthens fine motor skills and preps students for real-world sewing or fastener tasks.

5. Snack Prep Station

What you need:

A small tray with utensils, plates, and containers
Fake food or safe snacks (depending on your setup)

How it works: Students follow a simple visual recipe to prep a snack. Think:

Spreading butter or jam
Slicing soft fruit with a plastic knife
Sorting food into containers for a lunchbox

Why it works: It builds independence, sequencing, and fine motor skills and kids love it.

6. Recycling Sort Center

What you need:

Clean empty boxes, cans, plastic containers
Bins labeled: Paper, Plastic, Metal

How it works: Students sort items into the correct recycling bin. Add visuals if needed and make it a game!

Why it works: Teaches eco-friendly habits and real-world sorting skills.

7. Fold the Laundry Center

What you need:

Baby or doll clothes
Towels or washcloths

How it works: Students practice folding simple items. You can model steps visually or break it down:

Fold in half
Fold again
Stack

Why it works: Laundry is one of the easiest real-life routines to recreate in the classroom—and this builds sequencing and independence.

8. Table Setting Practice

What you need:

Plates, forks, spoons, napkins (plastic or real)
Visual table setting placemats (optional)

How it works: Students use a model or visual to set the table correctly. Add conversation prompts like “What meal are we having today?”

Why it works: Great for routines, sequencing, and learning community expectations (plus it pairs great with snack prep!)

9. Sorting Laundry by Person

What you need:

A small pile of clothing (baby clothes or labeled student clothes)
Bins or hangers labeled with names/photos

How it works: Students sort items into the correct person’s pile. You can also turn this into a dress-the-person activity with printed figures.

Why it works: It ties in name/picture recognition, sorting by category, and daily living routines.

10. What Doesn’t Belong? Life Skills Edition

What you need:

Trays or task cards with groups of items (e.g., shampoo, soap, spoon, toothpaste)

How it works: Students identify the item that doesn’t belong in the group and explain why.

Why it works: It develops critical thinking and context awareness around home and hygiene tasks.

Bonus Tips for Running Life Skills Centers:

Rotate them weekly to keep things fresh
Use visual instructions at each station
Practice each task during group time first
Keep tasks short, structured, and clearly defined

And remember – progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about giving your students the opportunity to try, to explore, and to feel capable doing everyday things.