23 Essential Kids Craft Supplies for Home Craft Projects
Did you know that children who engage in regular crafting activities show a 30% improvement in fine motor skills by age 5? As a mom of five kiddos and a dedicated craft enthusiast, I've spent countless hours exploring creative projects with kids. Let me tell you - having the right supplies, the right craft organization, AND the right approach makes all the difference!
I remember when I first started crafting with my oldest (wow, that feels like forever ago). I made so many rookie mistakes with both supply choices and organization. But now? Now I've got it down to a science. After raising five crafty kids (well, the baby isn’t crafty yet, but he will be!) and running our home craft corner for almost a decade, I've learned exactly what works and what totally bombs.
In this article, I’ll share the 23 most essential and versatile kids craft supplies so that you can have all of the necessities on hand for the next time your little ones want to make some art.
Check out some of our other articles on Halloween crafts and Christmas crafts for kids to put these supplies to good use!
Smart Storage Solutions: The Foundation of a Successful Craft Space
Before we dive into the supplies themselves, let's talk about how to store everything - because organization is truly the key to successful crafting with kids. As I learned the hard way, you can have all the best supplies in the world, but if you can't find them when you need them, what's the point? Here's my tried-and-true craft storage system:
Clear Storage Containers: Always, always use clear containers! I spent years digging through opaque bins before I finally got smart about this. My favorite are the shoe-box sized ones with snap-on lids.
Rolling Cart: This was a game-changer for our craft space. I use a three-tier rolling cart with different supplies on each level:
Top tier: Daily basics (markers, crayons, scissors)
Middle tier: Paper supplies and adhesives
Bottom tier: Special supplies (glitter, paint, etc.)
Supply Rotation Boxes: I keep seasonal and special occasion craft supplies in labeled bins in our closet. This keeps the main craft area from getting overwhelming.
Pro tip: Label EVERYTHING! I use both picture labels (for my little ones) and words (for my older kids). It makes cleanup so much easier when everyone knows where things go. It also means we only take out the supplies we need for a specific project and can leave the rest put away.
Essential Paper-Based Craft Supplies
Now that we've got our storage sorted, let's talk about paper supplies - they're like the bread and butter of crafting! Here's what you actually need:
Premium Construction Paper: Get the thick stuff! I made the mistake of buying cheap construction paper and it literally fell apart during a simple gluing project. Yikes! Look for paper that's at least 76lb weight - it holds up way better for kids' projects and is more versatile for projects beyond simply using it for drawing (think projects like origami, building paper houses, etc)
Child-Safe Scissors: You'll want two types here. Grab some rounded-tip ones for your littles (ages 3-5) and pointed tips for your older kiddos (6+). Pro tip: those fancy decorative-edge scissors? Total waste of money for most projects, though we do have one pair that my girls like using for making “fancy cards” as they call them.
Drawing Paper: Don't skimp here! Get a mix of regular drawing paper (60lb) and some heavier stuff (80lb) for when you're using markers or paint. I keep these in clear bins labeled "Light Paper" and "Heavy Paper" so my kiddos can grab the right one.
Cardstock: This is your go-to for anything that needs to stand up. One pack each of white and colored cardstock will cover most of your bases. I've found the 110lb weight works best - anything lighter tends to flop over.
Pro tip: Store all paper supplies flat in horizontal shelves. No more bent corners or crumpled sheets.
Must-Have Coloring and Drawing Tools
Oh boy, do I have some stories about coloring supplies! After five kids, I've pretty much tried every brand out there. Here's what actually works:
Washable Markers: Crayola Super Washable are worth every penny. Trust me on this - I've tried them all. They really do wash out of clothes (unlike some other brands that shall remain nameless).
Triangular Crayons: These are amazing for little hands! They don't roll off tables (hallelujah!), and they help kids develop the right grip. Plus, they're basically indestructible - my youngest is still using some of the ones his older siblings used!
Colored Pencils: Stick with Crayola or Prismacolor Jr. - they're the most durable. I store them vertically by color family in repurposed mason jars, which makes cleanup so much easier. Be sure to have a pencil sharpener on hand as well (the small plastic ones work just fine).
Washable, Non-Toxic Tempera Paint: This is a must-have for bigger projects! I keep a set of primary colors plus black and white. You can mix any color you need from these basics. Store them in squeeze bottles instead of jars - way less messy! Always look for brands that are non-toxic like these.
The key with coloring tools is having enough of each color. I always buy two sets - one for everyday use and one for backup. Because somehow, the blue ones always disappear first!
Essential Adhesives and Fasteners
Let's talk about glue - aka the stuff that holds everything together (literally and figuratively!). With four kids doing projects, I've had my share of sticky situations, but these are the adhesives that won't let you down:
Glue Sticks: Keep several of these on hand. I mean it! Get the purple kind that dries clear - it helps kids see where they've applied the glue. One time, I ran out during a Valentine's Day card project... never again!
White School Glue: Get the washable kind with the orange cap. I've found that storing it upside down in a cup prevents those annoying dried-up bottles. And always, always keep the tip clean with a push pin.
Double-Sided Tape: This is my secret weapon for precise placement. It's perfect for those tricky projects where liquid glue would make everything too wet and wrinkly.
Creative Embellishments and Decorative Items
This is where the magic happens! These little extras turn regular crafts into spectacular creations. Here's what I keep in our "fancy stuff" drawer:
Craft Pipe Cleaners: Get the thick ones! They're easier for little hands to bend and shape. I organize them by color in clear plastic pencil cases.
Googly Eyes: These make everything more fun! Keep different sizes on hand - the tiny ones are perfect for finger puppets, while the big ones make great monster crafts.
Pom-Poms: Another craft staple that's worth buying in bulk. Pro tip: Store them sorted by size rather than color - it's more practical when you're crafting.
Foam Shapes: The self-adhesive ones are totally worth the extra cost. Trust me, watching a toddler struggle with glue and regular foam shapes will make you a believer!
Nature-Inspired Craft Materials
These are some of my favorite supplies because they're either free or super cheap:
Collected Leaves: We love pressing leaves between wax paper. Store them in old photo albums to keep them flat.
Pinecones: These make amazing seasonal decorations. Just be sure to bake them at 200°F for 30 minutes to remove any bugs before storing.
Smooth Stones: Perfect for painting! We keep ours in a clear jar - it looks pretty and keeps them dust-free.
Special Occasion Supplies
These are my "sometimes" supplies that I pull out for specific projects:
Glitter (The containable kind!): Look for glitter glue or cards - much less messy than loose glitter.
Fabric Scraps: Great for collages and texture projects. I store these in clear zip bags sorted by color.
Specialty Papers: Things like tissue paper, crepe paper, and metallic paper. These get their own drawer to prevent wrinkles.
These are all things that I store separately from our main supplies to make sure they are used only when needed.
Clean-Up Supplies
Don't forget about these essential but often overlooked items:
Washable Drop Cloth: Trust me, this is worth its weight in gold. I use an old vinyl tablecloth for all painting projects to protect my floors.
Baby Wipes: Keep these within arm's reach for quick clean-ups. Most families with young kids already have plenty of these on hand!
Art Smocks: Old oversized t-shirts work perfectly for this!
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Craft Supplies
Q: What age can children start using craft supplies?
A: You can start as early as 18 months! My youngest started with chunky crayons and play dough at 20 months. Just supervise closely and choose age-appropriate supplies.
Q: How should I organize craft supplies for easy access?
A: I use a combination of clear containers and a rolling cart. Keep frequently used items at kid-height and messy supplies (like paint and glitter) up high to make sure the kids don’t have access without my supervision.
Q: What are the most versatile craft supplies to start with?
A: Start with paper, child-safe scissors, washable markers, glue sticks, and construction paper. These basics can create countless projects!
Q: How can I make craft supplies last longer?
A: Proper storage is key! Keep everything in sealed containers, clean supplies after use, and always replace caps immediately.
Q: What are some safe alternatives to glitter?
A: Try biodegradable glitter, sequins, metallic paper, or glitter paper. They're less messy and more environmentally friendly.
Final Thoughts
Setting up your craft supply collection is like building a good recipe - it takes time to get it just right. As a mom who's been through every craft disaster imaginable (and trust me, with five kids, I've seen it ALL), I can tell you that starting with these 23 essentials will set you up for success.
Remember to regularly check your supplies and replace anything that's running low. There's nothing worse than starting a project only to find out your glue stick is dried up (been there!). Now get out there and start creating some masterpieces with your little artists!
And hey, if you've got any questions about crafting with kids, just drop them in the comments below. As a dedicated craft mom, I've probably got an answer - or at least a funny story about what NOT to do!
