If you plan on getting crafty with your kids at home then it's a great idea to make a designated craft box and stuff it full of craft essentials so you've got everything in one place ready for when you hear the cry "Mummy, I want to make something!".
As I hoard more and more stuff our Magic Craft Box has turned into the Magic Doodle Drawers (we nicked that term from Cbeebies Mr Maker LOL!) - a set of drawers I bought from Ikea which live in the playroom. I also love the idea of making the craft box itself from a plain cardboard box and getting your child to decorate and personalise it him/herself. We also have a little childrens table and stools in the playroom and all of the craft stuff is accessable for them to use whenever they like - apart from the glitter, I'm not brave enough to allow free reign with that!
Anyway, I thought it might be helpful to have a list of those bits and pieces that I think are essential if you're starting your own magic craft box at home......
- Construction Paper (slighty rough surfaced coloured paper - cheap, buy in bulk, fab for childrens crafts)
- Scissors
- Glue - glue sticks and PVA glue
- Sellotape
- Things to write and draw with - felt tips, pencils, crayons, pastels..
- Googly Eyes
- White plain paper bags - can buy in bulk on ebay really cheaply
- White Paper Cups - as above!
- Lolly sticks
- Pipe Cleaners
- Stickers - what child doesn't love stickers?!
- Bits of coloured wool
- Cotton Balls
- Paper Plates - I buy Smartprice ones from Asda
- Ruler
- Washable Paints - I buy the squeezy bottles
- A variety of brushes and sponges
- String and ribbon
- Bits of fabric, tissue paper, foil, foam sheets, textured paper for collages
- Empty cardboard tubes
- Glitter/sequins to add a touch of sparkle
Whilst this list might seem long and expensive - lots of the stuff can be picked up really really cheaply, or for free by recycling! As you might have gathered I'm a bit of an ebay queen and I get a lot of my session materials via ebays Wholesale section as I'm buying in bulk for large numbers of children. Shops like Poundstretcher, the Pound Shop, B and M Homestores and good old Asda are also fantastic for crafty items at great prices. Google searches will produce a vast list of online craft suppliers.
If you're a bit of a novice at childrens craft activities the list above should stand you in great stead and get you on your crafty way - you can begin to add to your magic craft box by saving everything from old magazines to yoghurt pots, cardboard boxes to egg boxes and then you'll never be stuck for things to do on a good old British rainy day!
Happy crafting! x
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