Do you bother using glue spreaders when you use pva glue?

I've always found them a bit odd, but the ones I have just recently bought (admittedly they were very cheap) are so stiff that they are practically useless for little ones who are just learning the skill. I have used paintbrushes in the past, but then they get all clogged up and ruined. I've also used cotton buds, but am trying to not use them because of the single use plastic.

What do you use? I don't want to use glue sticks all the time, because sometimes pva is better suited to the job.