creating an Arts/Craft stash

[DiannaK]

So, I'm gearing up to homeschool my three small children. I'm really just looking at working with DD#2 (3.5y)now, and figure the boys will follow along later.

We've started doing simple arts/crafts at home, as well as at the library storytime, and she LOVES this.

I'd love a list of 'things you need for arts/craft supplies' ..... I'm going to pass some of these things on for Christmas gift ideas for the family.

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions. I just found Discount School Supply, and am loading up the cart!

[nathansmum]

Our supply is a bit depleted at the moment, but I'd say the most important thing is to buy quality gear that works properly and doesn't frustrate them due to being awkward to use. You probably already have these sorted, but I'll write them anyway...

Scissors that are nice to hold, not too bulky, has a good screw thing in the middle where it holds the blades nicely together - too loose and little ones can't get the right tension to make them work properly. I'd also get several sets or at least one set per child so they can get into their work rather than waiting turns.

Pencil sharpeners (several sizes depending on the pencils you have).

Sellotape dispenser and HEAPS of sellotape lol.

Paste and glue that is easy to get out and manipulate depending on the style - I found the squeeze bottle glues hard for my dd to use as it required strength that she didn't have. I now have a bottle with a screw lid with a brush attached on the inside - it's a lightweight paste good for glueing paper etc.

My kids like different coloured papers to cut out and often ask to use my scrapbooking papers.

Magazines are good for cutting out of (they love the Christmas catalogues atm).

We mostly collect nature items for using so haven't bothered so much with other bits and pieces. We have had in the past glitters, coloured matchsticks, iceblock sticks etc but personally I found they ended up everywhere and a general pain in the butt!

We have a range of poster paints and water paints.

Sponges would be good to get different paint effects. Decent paint brushes of various sizes.

Boxes of various shapes - we have an organic vege box delivered once a week. Well, as soon as it's unpacked the kids have whipped it away for transforming with paint, crayons, doors cut, things stuck on etc.

Playdough tools that can be used for clay, plastercine etc.

Bead sets - we love large chunky wooden ones as well as glass beads - generally bigger holes with a good firm elastic or string to thread on to.

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by nathansmum

Sellotape dispenser and HEAPS of sellotape lol.

A great big to that one! My boys go through massive amounts of tape in their creating

*Glue sticks are their other fave at the moment
*Leftover bits of wrapping paper (ya know, the 6inches that is left on the
roll inevitably after wrapping gifts? hehe)
*foam shapes - they come in little tubs of 'themed' shapes usually... kids are
loving them at the moment
*pom poms, rick rack, ribbon remnants, sequiny things, feathers

(I'm actually making up a craft 'bucket' for a christmas present for the boys with all these bits in it)

Everything else nathansmum said

[EviesMom]

Fun!
Here's what we have on hand (I got some from Lakeshore Learning and some from craft/art stores nearby):

Ribbons (sold as a bag of miscellaneous types, sizes, and patterns)
Masking Tape in different colors
Washable stamp pads
Stampers
Tempra Paint (I bought giant bottles and store in the fridge, they supposedly keep longer that way, and it's less kid accessible.)
Paper sandwich bags
Popsicle sticks
Paint brushes
Crayons
Colored pencils
Glue
Construction paper
Playdoh
Glitter
Pipe cleaners
Stickers

I also find it helpful to have some books on different art projects (we really like Animal Habitats by Judy Press) so if the kids are looking for something with directions to follow, or if they're just wild and need some direction, we have something we can follow.

[mapleleaf]

The list is great! I recently had to buy a hot glue gun. We made wreaths with things from nature and needed the glue gun for things to stay on!

Another thing is to not throw anything out! We keep cards, ribbons, wine corks, caps/lids, boxes...anything that we could use.

[lach]

Fabric scraps of all different textures! My daughter loves sewing on plastic canvas with yarn.

[BeanyMama]

BIG on tape here, too. Paints, canvas', fabric, felt, wooden shapes, hot glue gun, loom with wool, big sturdy knitting needles.

We re-purpose everything: acorns, old sweaters and tee shirts and sheets, jars, cardboard, tissue paper, buttons, etc.

[kitten18]

I don't have a lot to add to the list but I wanted to say that I love discount school supply. I've been very happy with everything I've gotten from them.

I really like their Colorations washable tempera paint, it's very good for the price.

We have these http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/...5&category=773 paint brushes. They work well for tempera paint and they've taken a ton of abuse.

If you're going to order enough to get free shipping then I would order some paper. We have a package of this 12x18 sulphite drawing paper http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/...7&category=786. This package of 500 sheets has lasted us a very long time and my DD draws/paints/colors A LOT.

I need to order some things and I think I'm going to get some of the sulphite construction paper.

My DD really loves glue sticks but I buy those in August when you can get about 8 for $1.

Of course, DD also love glitter. A little bit goes a very long way so I try to buy the littlest jars I can find.

[Momma Aimee]

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