13 Craft Supplies to Keep on Hand
When your grandchildren want to get crafty, think beyond scissors and glue.
By Ashley Little
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What the crafty grandma needs
We grew up with construction paper, scissors, and glue, and many of us still keep them around for the grandkids to use. But if you want to go beyond the basics, try these must-have craft supplies recommended by expert crafter Ashley Little. Here's a baker's dozen to get the creative juices flowing. (You may not want to wait for the kids!) -
Courtesy of CrayolaFabric Crayons
Kids love using these crayons, designed just for fabric, to decorate blank tote bags, T-shirts, and more. Buy plain white or pastel T-shirts and totes for them to draw on or let them get creative with clothes that could use a fresh, new look. -
Courtesy of MichaelsStamps
Pair these foam stamps with ink pads in the kids’ favorite colors and decorate anything from postcards to bookmarks. If the kids are staying for a long visit without parents, stamping postcards and mailing them to Mom and Dad is a great way for kids to say "I miss you!" They can even make stationery to write letters to you once they get back home. -
Courtesy of PrismCraft Thread
Available in a dazzling array of colors, craft thread is fun and inexpensive. If your grandchild can tie shoelaces, knotting friendship bracelets with this floss will be a snap. Kids can give the finished bracelets to friends and if you're lucky, maybe you'll get one, too! -
Courtesy of DariceFoam Sheets
Foam can be used as a canvas, or cut into shapes to create projects like door hangers, animals, funny hats, or 3-D story books. Give the kids some glue and scissors and let their imagination take over. -
Courtesy of CrayolaSidewalk Chalk
Your grandkids' sidewalk masterpieces remain long after their visits – or at least until the next time it rains! If you don't have a sidewalk, a simple chalkboard easel will also do the trick. If you have a spare wall or door, spray it with chalkboard paint and let the kids do murals. -
Courtesy of FiskarsCraft Punches
Stars, hearts, teddy bears, and more! Punches come in a variety of shapes and can be used to decorate all kinds of objects, including handmade cards. Kids can punch around the edges of paper, or use the punched-out pieces of paper to decorate notebooks, journals, or letters to you! -
Courtesy of Dick BlickClay and Dough Shaping Tools
Kids love shaping things with clay or Play-Doh. These tools are an easy upgrade to give them even more control over their creations. Tools like the cutter make it easy to separate the clay, while rollers let kids easily flatten or roll zigzag shapes onto clay. -
Courtesy of DariceBeads
If you haven't been to the bead section of your local craft store lately, you're missing out. The selection is mouth-watering! Whether you go with the kids or solo, you'll have great fun picking your favorites, and they can be used for much more than jewelry. Glue them to paper for a 3-D effect, or add sparkle to accessories like sunglasses by gluing beads on the corners. -
Courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft StoresFelt
Easy to cut, sew, and glue, felt can be attached to almost anything, including notebooks and clothing. Provide kids with stencils, or let them draw shapes free form, then help them cut and attach shapes to the accessory of their choice. -
Courtesy of A.C. MooreLanyard
The same laces you used as a kid can still be woven and knotted into key rings and jewelry. Older kids will love making necklaces and bracelets using simple braiding techniques. -
iStockButtons
Let the kids scavenge your button collection to decorate picture frames and other objects. Kids can also create button jewelry like necklaces and bracelets. Just slide buttons onto sewing or embroidery thread (or any other type of cord you have around the house) and secure with a knot. If you don't have a button collection, you and the kids can start one together. -
Courtesy of MoMA StoreWashi Tape
Decorative tape sticks to almost anything and because it's masking tape, it peels right off most surfaces. Kids will love sticking the tape on objects around the house. They might even get a kick out of decorating dinnerware like cups and spoons. Be sure to test the surface to ensure the tape peels off smoothly before you let the kids go crazy! -
Courtesy of Hobby LobbyPom Poms
With just a few dabs of glue, kids can create animals or embellish accessories like flip-flops and barrettes. Making animals is simple: Just give kids a variety of shapes and let them glue the pom poms together to make fluffy animals like chickens and bunnies. -
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Comments
OMG! I signed up for this site a long, long time ago. Pretty much pass it over when reading my emails. My grandson is 4 now and looking for things to occupy his time - educationally when he's here each week. WOW! I can't believe what I have been missing by not reading this.
These activities are for school age children. It would be nice to have activities for children from 1 to 6