Art supplies are a source of wonder! What can be created with the simplest of materials and the freedom to explore is unlimited. What will your young reader create?
Basic Craft Supplies
Keep these basic craft supplies in a spot so that they can be easily reached whenever imaginations start!
- Smock/Art Apron
- Construction paper in all colors (Use construction paper to make Origami Dogs)
- Brown butcher paper - Big Red Barn with Butcher Paper Play Mat
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Craft glue
- Hole punch - My Very Own Book
- Stapler - use to make Hot Air Balloon Craft or Rattle and Shake Skeletons
- Colored Pencils
- Paint - Some of our favorite painting activities: Olivia's Jackson Pollock Painting, Caterpillar Fruit Stamps, and Miss Bindergarten's Class Self Portrait, Big Squiggle Art
- Crayons - Crayon Resist
- Water Colors - Explore Ink, Colored Pencil, and Watercolor Art with Kids
- Paintbrushes
- Yarn in various colors - Wooly Sheep Craft
- Felt (Use felt to make Shape and Feel McDuff)
- Glitter - Glitter Snail Trails
- Buttons - A Button Treasure Box
- Sidewalk chalk (or Make Your Own!)
- Foam
- Brass brads
Whenever crafting, protect your workspace with newspaper, and your crafter’s clothes with an art smock or old t-shirt.
Homemade Art Supplies
- Blueberry Paint
- Chengdu Art with Cereal Box Stencils
- Chocolate Playdough
- Glitter Snail Trails
- Homemade Bubble Solution, plus Bubble Blower Ideas
- Homemade Model Magic and Pumpkin Creations
- Homemade Pumpkin Pie Play Dough
- Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
- L is for Lemon: Lemon Juice Invisible Ink
- Milk Paint Paintings
- Mouse Paint Brushes
Recyclables
Those yogurt cups and egg cartons in your recycling bin are just waiting to be transformed into a bug or dragon, house or car, or whatever strikes you crafter’s fancy. Create a spot with your craft supplies to keep some of these items. Many of our crafts use the following items.
- Yogurt cups
- Egg cartons
- Milk jugs
- Paper towel tubes
- Cereal boxes
- A variety of magazines and catalogues (for cutting out pictures)
- Plastic cups
- Butter tubs (work well for paints and other sticky mixtures)
Some of our favorite projects using recyclables:
- Cereal Box Nature Tote
- Pop Art Jamberries
- Folk Art Wind Sculpture
- Use old magazines and catalogues to make the Magnificent Hats collage
- "Box Cars" or Train Sculptures
- Styrofoam Boats
- The Most Magnificent Thing
- Milk Carton Bird Feeder
