Make Your House a Crafty Home

Put together a great craft kit for you and the kids
by Pamela Stock
for Real Families, Real Fun

hen I was growing up, my family was not crafty. My art supply box consisted mostly of crayons, which were usually melted together because someone (ok, probably me) had left the tin on top of the radiator again. As a mom, I vowed to be different. We would have a well-stocked arts and craft box. My kids would have easy access to supplies as well as their own inner artistes. Creativity would blossom and the inevitable mess would be well worth it.

But where to begin? As usual, I turn to the experts in the field -- real parents with real experience. Here, a recommended starter supply list for a crafty home and some arts rules.

Supply List

Crayons and markers. "Washable" crayons and markers are great for toddlers, but they do smudge more easily than the traditional kind, so older kids may prefer the traditional ones.

Paper, paper. Rolls or large tablets of "art paper" (newsprint) are available at most toy and craft stores. Construction paper has more heft and can be used for collages. Lunch paper bags work best for puppets, or decorative gift bags.

Sticky stuff. Glue sticks and Elmers can make most anything stick, safely. One artistic grandma accidentally burnt her 3-year-old grandchild with a hot glue gun when finessing a rather ambitious project. Better to keep the activities simple and safe. Also, keep several rolls of Scotch tape.

Recyclables. Old magazines and catalogs are a font for paper doll clothes, says one mom of a five-year-old paper doll enthusiast. Cut clothes or figures from the magazines and glue to construction paper or card board. You can stick the clothes on the dolls with either taped paper tabs or paper clips. Other reusable items that come in handy: toilet paper and paper towel rolls and washed and dried plastic bottles (fill with beans to make musical instruments).

Paint and paint brushes: Water colors and finger paints appeal to everyone. One mom suggests stocking a variety or paint brushes and sponges with the paints to make the activity of painting "more festive."

Extras: Pipe cleaners, drinking straws, random stickers (think: goody bag extras), pom-poms, beads, buttons, ribbons, and googly eyes with sticky backs can transform a picture into a collage, a paper bag into a puppet, or a boring card into something special.

Arts and Crafts Rules:

Rule #1: Designate a box, crate or drawer for art supplies. That way, the kids know to get excited when the box comes out, and clean up is a snap. If you store everything in a cardboard box, you can make an activity out of decorating the box with stickers, markers, or paint.

Rule #2: Making a mess is part of the fun. Spread newspapers on your work surface and don't be afraid of spills. Now that the weather is warmer, the backyard makes a fine studio. One mother of two advocates "naked painting" (or bathing suits, for older kids). After the kids paint, everyone runs through the hose.

Rule #3: All art is "functional art." That is, anything made in your home can be used. You can post a rotating exhibition on the fridge or bulletin board. You "use" the masterpieces for wrapping paper or cards to friends or family members.

Rule #4: Never, ever keep a box of crayons on the radiator!

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