Category Archives: Crafts

Since we homeschool and have a creative child, keeping a well-stocked selection of art supplies is imperative in our home. I also believe that the supplies need to be readily accessible to the child and well-organized so they can easily be enjoyed. Today I’m going to share what we have on hand and I hope others will chime in with additional ideas!

Almost all of our craft supplies are kept in one cabinet in our learning room (the former living room). This cabinet was re-purposed (like almost everything in our house at one time or another!). It previously held my grandma’s china and other kitchen things in the dining room. Those items are now packed in the basement. (The things we do for our children, huh?) The top shelf has items that require permission. The second shelf currently has phonics items on it because I haven’t moved them elsewhere yet.

Everything has a specific place in the cabinet so Caroline knows that when it is time to pick up, everything has to go where it is supposed to be. I utilize small plastic storage bins of various kinds, plastic pencil boxes, a clementine orange crate, gallon zipper bags, a winter boot box, freezer containers, and other assorted containers. Again, I went through the house and used things I already had.

The only supplies that aren’t kept in the cabinet are paints and the other easel-related items. Those are kept in the basement where they are used. The easel is in the basement because we don’t have room for it in the learning room and the learning room has off-white carpet.  Enough said.

This is what we currently keep on hand.  There are some things I want to add for the fall and I’ll list those at the end.

Paper
Plain white paper
Drawing paper
Scribbling paper
Lightweight (cheap) construction paper
Heavier weight construction paper
Cardstock in white and various colors
Spiral bound notebooks
Index cards
Post it notes
Blank books
Novelty notepads
Melissa & Doug Complete the Picture Pad

Pencils, Pens, Markers, Crayons and Colored Pencils
Pencils
Pens in various colors (black, blue, red)
Erasers
Washable thick markers
Washable thin markers
Washable thick mini markers
Washable thin mini markers
Gel pens
Highlighters
Crayons
Colored pencils
Pencil sharpeners

Glues, Adhesives and Fasteners
Scotch tape
Stapler
Craft glue
Elmer’s Glue
Glue sticks
Brads
Rings
Paper clips

Scissors, Paper Cutter and Other
Scissors
Scrapbooking scissors that make different edges
Scrapbooking punches in various shapes
Paper cutter
Paper punch
Ruler
Protractor

Stickers
Stickers
Sticker activity books
Sticker pads from Melissa and Doug such as Melissa & Doug Sticker Collection – Pink and Melissa & Doug Sticker Collection – Alphabet and Numbers

Miscellaneous
Ed Emberley’s Complete Funprint Drawing Book and Melissa & Doug Rainbow 6 Color Stamp Pad
Do-A-Dot Paints and Do-A-Dot Books for copying such as Do-A-Dot Discovering My World Activity Book and Colorful Critters Do-A-Dot Art Creative Activity Book
Sock puppet bin with socks and supplies (googly eyes, etc.)
Rubber stamps and ink pads
Foam, foam stickers
Old greeting cards
Coloring books
Felt
Paper lunch bags
Clay (stroed in basement)
Play Doh (stored in basement)
Chenille stems
Pony beads
Cotton balls
Pom poms
Popsicle sticks
Toothpicks
Ribbon scraps
Sewing basket with basic sewing supplies

Basement
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel  (When we bought the easel as a Christmas present, we also bought the Melissa & Doug Easel Accessory Set, Melissa & Doug Easel Paper Roll and Melissa & Doug Easel Paper Pad)
Paints and various brushes
Chalk, eraser
Dry erase markers for whiteboard
Fingerpaints
Watercolor paints, books
Acrylic craft paints
Misc. wood objects for painting

Garage
Toolbelt with real tools (child sized)
Hardhat
Safety goggles
Scrap wood

Wish List
Tissue paper
Yarn (we have some, but would like more)
Paper plates
Compass
Buttons
Decorated duck tape
Doilies
More wood items to paint

Most of the items on this list were purchased inexpensively, especially during the back to school sales.  The more expensive items (like the easel) were Christmas and birthday presents. Some items we started off with a small amount (like the clay) and then bought a large box of it at Hobby Lobby when Caroline showed a strong interest in it.

Please leave other ideas for art supplies and craft ideas!  I would love to surprise Caroline with some new things!