Paints, Pens, and Paper…

“Sometimes the best learning environment for students isn’t a bunch of devices powered by wi-fi. Sometimes it’s a huge pile of cardboard powered by PURE IMAGINATION.”

Krissy Venosdale

Oh the smell of new play-doh or a fresh box of crayons! These make my heart smile.

A little fact about something that I have a hard time resisting, any craft supply on sale! Hobby Lobby is literally a money pit for me, but of course supporting a great store 😂 I could place the blame on my grandparents who always liked taking us to five and dime stores, but that wouldn’t be entirely true. I just love having craft supplies ready and waiting for kids and for myself when an idea comes along (or a need to doodle). Although I do miss the old craft and five and dime stores, those were the best! Every school project you knew they would have exactly what you needed.

Enough about my obsessions… Today, I would like to share with you the craft supplies that I always like to have around the house. And some fun brands and kits that are wonderful gifts!

First, easy peasy items that can be place in a drawer or cabinet, where kids know they can always find and have the freedom to use (freedom is the key word here, don’t put anything in this easy to reach area that is a no-no item):

• Watercolor paper or sketch pad – I suggest watercolor or a thicker sketch pad paper, just because of the thickness and less likely to bleed through or off the page.
• Crayons, Markers, Colored Pencils, Gel Pens, Pencils – Crayola Twistables are great for this area – and of course your washable markers and pens
• Stickers! They are so inexpensive if you have your eye out for them. Sheets of stickers, little packs of stickers, kids love stickers!
• Paper tape/Washi tape- this also can be super inexpensive.

• Glue- I really like the old school glue pens, but any type of glue will do.
• Paints- you can get packs of tempera paint, which is super washable. Watercolor palettes which get a little messy but not as much paint flying messy 😊 Or you can find small bottles of acrylic paint that is washable and have more variety in colors.
• Play-Doh and/or air-dry clay
• Perler beads (or melty beads as my brother calls them) They have some amazing products that don’t even require you to use an iron anymore. Although melting the beads are really fun!
• Mini blank canvases – you can find these in packs of 4 or 5- and sometimes they are magnetic and different shapes- my niece and nephew have a beautiful gallery on our refrigerator!
• Roll of Plastic Table cover- This will save so much time! Just grab a large roll of table covering- doesn’t even matter what color or occasion- so after holidays you can get this on clearance! All you have to do is roll it out- have craft fun – and then gather it up and throw it away! If doing crafts outside, I do suggest some type of clip weights on the ends 😂 we have had our experience with flying artwork.
• Pipe Cleaners – endless creativity
• Scrap paper

I could go on and on about fun craft supplies – but let me move onto some of my favorite brands:

Eeboo has really neat sketchbooks, mini and letter sized. The mini sketchbooks are fun to pair with some pencils or pens for a small gift or for a little car ride surprise.

Ooly has super wild and wacky markers, pens, paints, and craft kits.

Fat Brain Toys has awesome “Hey Clay” kits. They come in themes: sea, dino, farm animals.

Do-a-Dot is a great brand for those beginning to use markers. They make the markers as well as the coloring books that go along with them. And once the kid grows out of the coloring books, the markers are still a wonderful craft supply.

Cra-z-art, Creativity for Kids, Faber Castell all have wide ranging craft kits. Great gifts and also fun to have some one-on-one time with your children.

A recent discovery of mine is Eugy 3D puzzles. They offer all kinds of animals.

And of course, I am obsessed with Melissa and Doug, and you can’t go wrong with any of their products. Reusable sticker pads/sticker scenes, stamp sets, Paint with water, color blast, search and find, scratch art, jumbo coloring sheets, sticker wow, created by me! pottery painting kits.

Most of all, I hope that this post will spark your creativity, your memories, and that feeling of being a kid and creating something new. Sometimes when I need reminding of that feeling, I just grab some paper and paint and go for it. Don’t be shy or embarrassed, you might just surprise yourself! More importantly the children and those around you will want to do so also. And we all need some lighthearted moments, and creating should always come with laughter and deep breathing. No rushing allowed.

This holiday season, maybe save a box or two and grab some markers or paint, and get down on the floor with a child or an adult, and use your imagination and make something completely new! You won’t be disappointed in the feeling you find deep within your heart and soul!

Life Book of the Week: Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light, by Apryl Slott

Picture today: One of our favorite silly crafts: Marble art! All you need is a box big enough for the paper and marbles to roll around in. And some paint. Let the marbles roll around in the paint on the sides and then shake, shake, shake, and then a masterpiece! Lots of laughter and memories are made with this activity! 😊