9 Must-Have Art Supplies for Crafty Children

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I think art is the most consistent subject we we do around the Pajama Mama house.  Anyone else like that?  We go through a lot of art supplies.  Here are what we consider our must-haves.

1. Paper  I buy cheap printer paper just for the kids, as well as good art paper-like Strathmore 300 series-the yellow pads at Michael's go on sale a lot.  But don't forget junk mail, magazines, catalogs.

2. Paint, markers, pencils.  What can I say about them?  They're worth the time and mess.  Buy washables when you can.

3. Adhesives  Liquid glue, glue sticks (for making stamps), hot glue (for our gift bookmarks and flower hair clips), glue dots...tape, painters tape, masking tape, packing tape...good grief.

4. Felt We love felt projects-like the iPhone covers and cameras.  Felt is great for simple sewing projects with kids'-no raveling!  This is what I give Belle to practice her sewing-she's made phone cases, eyeglass cases, doll clothes-it's inexpensive and very easy to use large stitches on.



5. Toilet Paper Rolls  I keep these and tissue boxes, and any other materials that you would ordinarily recycle to toss.  See this unbelievable Toilet Paper Brick House, try keeping Memory Jars, and mix science into art with a Tissue Box Marshmallow Catapult.

6. Natural Elements Sticks, stones, seeds, beans, leaves, shells.  Remember our rustic stick stars?  Craft has an entire archive of crafting with nature-love this Stick Weaving.  Linda of Natural Suburbia gives a great tutorial on how to weave with sticks.



7. Beads Larger beads-or cereal oh's are great for improving small kids' fine motor skills.  But Belle and I love using beads for fun uses-like postcards.



8.   Food  I don't think I've met a child who does not love to cook and create with food.  Damaris and Kitchen Corners has some really cool little foodie ideas-like Nutella Play Dough and Stained Glass Jello.



9. Inspiration We have a collection of art idea books-and check out others from the library regularly.  I buy every Usborne Art book I find at used bookstores -so worth the money.


10.  What would you add?


I'm linking this up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh, Amanda's.

7 Creative People Had This To Say:

A&W said...

let's plan a crafty little playdate!!!

Kristen, pajama mama said...

let's do it!

LucidLotus said...

You are so creative, you're kids must be having so much fun:)

Erika said...

I'm not so crafty ... and need all the help I can get! Gonna bookmark this list for my trip later this week to Hobby Lobby! :) Now, how to organize all of these supplies! Maybe that can be your top ten post next week! :-)

stopping by from Top Ten Tuesday!

Kristen, pajama mama said...

oh, i think i've actually done that post...somewhere...:)

Angie @ Many Little Blessings said...

Love it! What a great list. My youngest is crazy about art, and loves to create with just about anything she can get her hands on.

Rachel said...

Oh, that stained glass jello looks awesome, it reminds me of this rainbow jello at my nephew's wedding reception. I don't usually eating jello, but it was so visually appealing I got a huge scoop.
Thanks for all the cool tips!