Basic Craft Supplies

I have been asked many times about craft supplies and what is best to have around for "craft time" with your kids at home. If I had a limitless budget and lots more time, my suggestions might be different. But, here are some of the things that we always have on tap and the kids seem to really enjoy.

Painting Supplies

- I got the plastic carrier at IKEA (called Samla) and it works great because there's just enough space for all of the painting supplies...plus a handle in the middle for easy transporting.

- Paint...washable tempura paints, finger paints, watercolor paints

- Brushes...various sizes have been collected over the years - it's nice to have a choice for different projects.

- Water Cup...recycled yogurt and cottage cheese plastic containers work perfectly!

- Paint Dish/Palette...we use the lids from recycled yogurt and cottage cheese containers to put the paint on AND recycled tin pie pans work great too.

- Craft smocks

Random Small Items

The blue container (called Glis) is also from IKEA - it has separators that can be taken out to fit something of a larger size.

It's perfect for storing things like pom poms, google eyes, foam stickers, craft beads, cotton balls, anything small that you might use in a craft.

Play Doh

Over the years, we have purchased and been given lots of play doh - it's such a great activity to pull out for 5 minutes or much longer...toddlers and school-aged kids always seem to enjoy

it...it's always on-hand at my house. It took me a few years to figure out it's best stored in an airtight, large container - we have so many play doh tools and accessories that it's nice to just throw everything together when it's time to clean up.

Mr. Potato Head

This is just a decorated, recycled ice cream bucket but it works great for all of Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head's pieces! Complete with a handle, even my 15 month old can carry it around or help clean it up!

Markers and Crayons

I have been told that I am a little bold to allow my 2 year old access to markers. However, with the exception of just recently, he has respected the use of these fun crafting tools. I find that if the kids can get their own utensils for drawing and coloring, they spend a lot of quality time creating and imagining and growing in their fine motor skills. This nifty double drawer is either from Target or IKEA - nothing fancy but it does look somewhat pleasing to the eye since it's black. I actually keep it on a shelf in the dining room right above our drawing paper - both within reach for anyone 2 and older. You know your kids and if this doesn't seem like a wise decision, then find a better option...but it seems to work really well in our home.

Glue, Glitter Glue, Tape and Fancy Scissors

These items are stored in this recycled pretzel-rod plastic container (yummy things from Costco). It has a nice lid that can be taken off by most preschoolers but not the toddlers. I keep this bin on a higher shelf and only allow the "big" kids access to it. Enough said, right?

Easel

We love our Mala IKEA easel - in fact, we have two now. Kids have spent so much time drawing

on the white board and/or chalk board (it has both on this easel). Again, you'd have to decide what to do with the markers because there have been many times that the caps are left off or someone decides to test the waters and venture to places such as the wall nearby...but, I have used those are teachable moments. Side note: a sock works great for erasing!