A Quiet Simple Life | Sallie Borrink

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Stocking Our Homeschool Arts and Crafts Cabinet


Since we homeschool and have a creative child, keeping a well-stocked selection of arts and crafts 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.

One key for me was to organize this using things I already had in the house. I would rather spend my money on actual craft materials than fancy organizers!

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?)

Homeschool Craft and Arts Supplies Cabinet

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 (I am a HUGE Dixon Ticonderoga #2 Pencils fan!)
  • 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

Scissors, Paper Cutter, and Other

Stickers

Miscellaneous

Basement

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. I also like to look at what’s new in the Amazon Arts, Crafts and Sewing section.

What are some of your art supplies and craft ideas?  I would love to surprise Caroline with some new things!

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