Great Craft Supplies for Kids
Fun and versitile craft supplies that every child will love.
Crayons, glue sticks, scissors and paper have long been staples of every child’s craft supply box. Whole worlds of imagination have been opened by with just these simple basics. However, if you want to encourage even more creativity, inspiration and fun, consider adding these craft supplies to your child’s stash.
Foam shapes
Foam shapes are available in many different sizes and styles and are usually sold as an assortment. For even more versatility you can purchase foam sheets which can then be cut into whatever shape your child desires. Foam shapes are excellent for making bookmarks, doorknob hangers, flowers and collages.
Pieces of fabric
If you know someone who sews, ask for any large scraps of fabric that they might have left-over. Or if you have old shirts, dresses, etc. those can be cut-up and used as well. Bright colors and fun patterns are generally best. Fabric scraps are great for creating simple, toga-style dresses for your child’s doll or a colorful bandana for a favorite teddy bear. Fabric scraps can also be used in collages or even turned into pom-poms.
Pipe cleaners
Fuzzy, bendable and versatile – pipe cleaners are an easy-to-use and inexpensive addition to your child’s craft supplies. They are available in multiple colors, lengths and thicknesses. They can be bent, molded and twisted together to form sculptures or they can be snipped and added to other projects. And they make great cat toys! But watch out – if your cats are like mine they’ll sneak into your craft supplies box and steal the pipe cleaners from you, so make sure you store them in a secure place.
Pom-poms
These fluffy round balls come in a myriad of sizes, colors and textures and are sure to be among your child’s favorite craft supplies. They are soft, sturdy and fairly easy to work with. Snowmen, animals, crazy creatures and even fluffy necklaces are just some of the things your child can make. Cats love pom-poms too so I recommend you store them in the same secure area as your pipe cleaners.
Googly eyes
Also sometimes known as wiggly eyes, they come in a range of sizes and are available in both stick-on and glue-on varieties. Googly eyes are guaranteed to add personality (and giggles) to any craft project.
Duct tape
The amazing duct tape – is there anything it can’t do? For the crafty kid it can be used to create flowers, purses, bracelets, book covers and even prom dresses and tuxedos (for when your child gets older, of course). There is no doubt that duct tape deserves a place among your child’s craft supplies. And now that it comes in all kinds of bright colors and patterns it is less likely to “accidentally” migrate from your child’s craft supplies box to dad’s toolbox.
Beads
No list of craft supplies would be complete without beads. Aside from necklaces and bracelets, beads can be used to create key-chains and sun catchers, or to decorate hair clips. As you might imagine, beads come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and in every color of the rainbow. Place some beads along with some string in a small container with a lid and you’ve got a portable craft project ready to entertain restless kids during your next road trip.
A few other craft supplies to consider.
Glue Gun
A glue gun requires adult supervision as severe burns can result from misuse. That said, a glue gun is incredibly useful and if you get one you’ll probably find you use it for more than just your child’s crafts. Hot glue will hold your child’s projects together far better than a glue stick or even regular glue. It can also be used to make minor repairs around the house. Once you start using a glue gun you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one!
Sewing kit
A basic sewing kit or a child’s sewing machine is another wonderful complement to your craft supplies. For starters I recommend making a doll pillow. Have your child sew two same-sized squares of fabric together by stitching around the edge but leave one corner open. Then turn inside out and stuff with cotton balls. Add a few stitches to close up the corner and the pillow is complete. As your child gets better at sewing she can move on to more complicated projects.
