Crafting Essentials: Must-Have Supplies for Every Young Crafting Enthusiast

Kids love to do crafting. It’s not just a fun pastime but also a valuable tool for fostering creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills. As your child starts to explore the world of DIY crafting, having the right supplies on hand can make all the difference. 

Let’s look at some of the essential crafting supplies that every young crafting enthusiast should have. Take note: You don’t need to have all of them but if you have most of them, there will be plenty of projects and activities that will be available to you during your playdates. 

Safety First: Basic Supplies

Safety is always the number one priority, even more so when it comes to crafting with kids. These basic safety supplies should be your first purchase when you are starting. These tools not only prevent accidents but also allow your child to explore their creativity with peace of mind. 

• Child-safe Scissors - These are rounded-tip scissors designed specifically for children to minimize the risk of cuts and injuries.
• Non-toxic Glue - Water-based glue that is safe for children to work with and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.
• Washable Markers - These markers can be easily clothing and don’t irritate in case kids get creative on their skin.

Let’s Get Creative: Artistic Tools

No crafting toolbox is complete without a collection of artistic tools. Introducing children to different mediums and techniques at an early age encourages experimentation and helps children develop confidence in their artistic skills. Some tools you may consider includes:

• Colored Pencils - Perfect for coloring, shading, and adding some intricate details, colored pencils provide precision and control for detailed drawing.
• Crayons - Artsy kids and crayons are basically two peas in a pod. They are easy to grip and manipulate, making them ideal for young children. Plus, children love the vibrant colors as they work on paper, cardboard, or even fabric.
• Watercolor Paints and Paintbrushes - For older toddlers, watercolor paints are one of the best ways to teach about color mixing and blending techniques.
• Erasers and Sharpeners - Often overlooked but still essential tools for young artists. Erasers allow children to correct mistakes and refine their artwork while sharpeners ensure that their pencils and crayons are always ready for use.

Mixing and matching colors for our Flower Pot Kit

Crafting Foundations: Paper and More

While several crafting materials can serve as the foundation for kids’ craft projects, paper still stands out as an essential and versatile medium. However, expanding beyond just paper opens up an entire world of creative possibilities. Here are some materials you should consider:

• Colored Paper - From origami projects to paper collages to greeting cards, colored paper is perfect for a wide range of projects. Having a diverse selection of colored paper on hand allows kids to experiment with different color combinations.
• Cardstock - Stronger than regular paper, cardstock is ideal for crafting projects that require durability. 
• Craft Foam - Craft foam is a lightweight and pliable material that adds texture and dimension to craft projects. It is perfect for embellishments, costumes, and decorations.
• Fabric Scraps - Whether repurposing old clothing or using scraps from your own sewing projects, fabric scraps are a great way to add new textures to projects or details to DIY pillows. 

Sparkle and Shine: Embellishments

Small things added to craft projects can take them from being ordinary to extraordinary. Like icing on the cake when it comes to crafting projects, they add that extra touch of personality and sparkle. Some must-have embellishments that young crafters love include:

• Glitter - If sparkle and shine are what you are looking for, then glitter is the magical material you need. Sprinkle it onto glue or mix it onto paint for a shimmering finish. 
• Sequins and beads - Small, shiny embellishments that can be glued or sewn onto projects for extra sparkle.
• Stickers - Self-adhesive decorations available in a wide range of designs, perfect for adding detail and character to projects. Also doubles as reward for your child for a job well done.
• Googly Eyes - You never know when you need to add some silly eyes on your projects

Sparkly embellishments for our Mermaid Jewelry Box Kit

Crafting Aids and Organizing Supplies

Beyond the actual artistic tools, you also need other equipment to make crafting easier and more organized. These age-appropriate tools can teach kids valuable organizational skills, promote independence, and help them develop a sense of responsibility for cleaning after their projects. 

• Rulers - Help children measure and draw straight lines.
• Cutting mats - Protects surfaces from damage and provides a stable cutting surface for projects that use scissors and cutters.
• Hole punchers - Make it easy to create holes for threading ribbon, yarn, and other materials.
• Storage bins - Large containers for storing crafting materials such as paper, fabric, and yarn.
• Jars - Ideal for storing the smaller items that you use for embellishments such as sequins, beads, buttons, and googly eyes.
• Caddies - Portable organizers with compartments to keep supplies neatly sorted. 

With these crafting supplies on hand, you and your kids will be well-equipped to tackle projects for hours. But if you don’t have some of these essentials, don’t worry. Pinwheel Crafts’ do-it-yourself craft kits for kids are complete packages containing everything you need to create the project. Check out our collection to find your next project. Happy crafting!