Basic supply kit

So, you want to do some crafting with your little ones.

Some of the best advice I can offer is to put together a basic supply kit of stuff that is just for crafting with your kids. Does not have to be anything flash or fancy, and by no means any expensive supplies needed. Some stuff you can even scrounge from around the house!

So, first, get something to keep everything in. A box, kitchen drawer or cupboard, or a set of stacked plastic drawers.

Below are some of the essential basics I would put in:

• Plastic table mat to protect your surface.
• Craft apron - can be plastic or cloth - something to protect the kids clothing.
• Adhesive - glue stick and cello tape. You can use white glue, but I find kids use more than is needed, and it makes a mess.
• White paper. Regular copy paper is fine
• Coloured paper, again, nothing expensive. Check out ASDA or Tescos or Poundland
• Child safe scissors
• Glitter shakers (you can use old spice jars filled with glitter). Again, I tend to avoid glitter glue for the same reasons I avoid white glue - the mess.
• Pom pom's
• Chinele stems
• Star stickers (Staples or teacher supply shop)
• Popsicle sticks - plain or coloured, assorted sizes if you can
• Finger paint or regular acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Washable markers or coloured pencils
• Yarn
• Black felt tip pen
• Coloured feathers
• Stickers
• Rhinestones
• Magnetic tape (you can get small rolls or strips from local craft shops)
• Assorted coloured/patterned tissue paper

Now, dont panic and think you have to get this all at once, because you dont! Add items as you need them, find them on sale, or come christmas or birthday time.

In addition to the above, it is always a good idea to have on hand the following:

• brown paper lunch bags
• old (but clean) egg cartons and yoghurt containers
• tubes from your kitchen roll or toilet tissue roll
• old empty tissue boxes
• shaped punches - like flowers, hearts, or animals
• Alphabet stencils if your kids are older and can spell
• Wood clothes pegs or clips
• old newspaper and magazines

I am sure that you can find and think of many other regular household items that you can add to the supply box.