Head off the inevitable “I’m bored” afternoon talk with a fully stocked craft station filled with all of the essentials for self-guided art projects and endless creative exploring. Because there’s no shortage of materials, what starts as could turn into a whole garden (and hours of intense and quiet focus).
(PS: Amazon Prime has dropped the $25 minimum spend on deliveries in Canada, so there are loads of bulk items for cheap that you can get right to your door.)
Start with a solid set of markers; this bulk buy of 100 fine-tip and washable Crayola markers has all the colours in the rainbow covered and then some. $13.86/box at .
Kids who prefer using Crayons will go gaga for this that includes a bright yellow storage caddy. ($19.99 at , pictured) or a tub with organized in packs of 12 ($30.37 at Amazon).
Drawing, hand tracing, cutting shapes and creating paper animals are just some of the dozens of crafts that combine creativity and fine motor skills. (This has plenty of awesome ideas.) Four hundred sheets of construction paper for $8.46 at .
Where there are crafts, there’s glue. A lot of it. If you are already stocked with bottles, this makes for easy refills. $8 at or $9.98 at .
Little ones just learning to cut need child-safe scissors like (for ages 3+) available at Amazon. Bigger kids may want a , like these Scotch scissors for children ages 6 and up (2 pack/$1.94 at ).
Pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pom poms, feathers, popsicle sticks and beads are just some of the hundreds of pieces of craft supplies in this mega . (Note: there are small pieces and the recommended age is 4+ with supervision.) $21.98 at .
A makes a lot of sense when you consider how easily eight-ounce cans go to waste if kids forget to put the lid back on. (Once that Play-Doh hardens, it’s tough to get it back to a malleable texture.) $21.72 at ; 15-pack with stickers for $9.92 at .
For older kids who could spend hours sketching their favourite anime character, these sturdy are just $2.47/30 sheets online at Staples. (Serious artistes will also appreciate a proper set of sketching with a carrying case, $14.99/12-pack.)
Those old enough to pack/unpack their own supplies will feel very grown-up with this , which includes crayons, pencil crayons, scissors, glitter glue and paper. Plus, it stores all the supplies when not in use. $21.04 at .
Crayola’s is even bigger with 140 pieces and a case that snaps shut for easy transport. $23.06 at .
