I personally love crafts, but after my kids came along I realized that I didn’t actually own many kids craft essentials.
Kids craft essentials can be a bit of a trial-and-error experience. Glue guns are hot, scissors are too sharp, and you can forget any sort of metal working! After numerous trips to the supply store, I eventually figured out what materials work best with children. Here are my favorite kids craft essentials for a child-friendly craft kit. Many can even be found in your own home.
There are a few craft items that every household with kids do seems to inevitably end up with over time. These kids craft essentials are usually accumulated over multiple holidays and numerous trips to the craft store, with parents refining their kids craft stash as they quickly learn what kids craft items are appropriate (glue, crayons) and what MIGHT not be such a good idea (permanent markers, sharp scissors).
Kids Craft Essentials We Love
Jot this down, people! Every kids craft supply kit should include five main types of items:
- Things to draw with: markers, crayons, pencils and pens (stay away from permanent stuff!)
- Something to draw on: construction or printer paper, cardstock, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, paper plates
- Adhesives: Liquid glue (this is also good for slime!), glue sticks and glue dots work best
- Building materials: clay, pipe cleaners, pom poms, ribbon and popsicle sticks
- Decorative items: stamps, glitter, stickers, googly eyes and beads
With just these limited supplies, kids can use their imaginations to create endless crafty things. Hand your kids any of these items, and they’re sure to create a masterpiece. Some of my favorite kids’ crafts are things that are totally personal to the child, such as handprint, thumbprint or footprint artwork and crafts that involve photographs. It’s also fun to create things using children’s names or pictures of family members.
While you're at it, you may want to create an art station for them! An art table of their own gives them lots of space to get creative, and to store their works of art. Gather an easel, or even more advanced things like a pottery wheel for older kids. For really little kids or kids who are just discovering art, make it accessible with fun bath crayons or travel sketchpads. These things can help pique their interest and get them engaged in the exciting world of art.
What are your go-to kids craft essentials?