I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to do what I loved most about my work as a children’s librarian – sharing great picture books and creating/making stuff with the kids. Three different homeschool groups share the space where I work as an enrichment teacher on Mondays. This means I must bring all materials and supplies with me each time. We’ll be sticking with paper, felt and nature crafts for now.
This week we created a our version of Mo Willems’s Duckling character along with zero calorie cookies:
The kids enjoyed making the cookies. In hindsight, I should have precut EVERYTHING for K & 1, put precision tips on the glue bottles and remembered to bring plastic baggies to wrap the cookies in for transport home. Oh well, I learned some valuable things – namely this activity is better suited for grades 2 & up rather than K-1.
Following is a list of the items I find essential for our crafting activities. An asterisk indicates items kept in small bins that I bring to each class. Other materials are added depending on the projects we make.
Essential Craft Supplies
Crayons*
Colored pencils
Markers/Sharpies
Scissors*
Glue sticks*
School glue*
Glue gun & glue sticks
Cellophane tape*
Plain copy/printer paper
White cardstock
Large pad of drawing paper*
Construction paper
Assorted colors of gift tissue paper (or single color napkins)
Scrapbook assorted paper pad (12×12)
Paper plates
Coffee filters
Craft sticks in assorted sizes
Ruler*
#2 pencils*
Pencil sharpener*
Single hole punch*
Twine
Felt (assorted colors)
Wax paper
Add-on Craft Supplies (easy to transport and reasonably priced on sale)
Yarn in assorted colors
Stickers
Wiggle eyes
Chenille stems (pipe cleaners)
Pom poms
Pony beads
Craft cord
Ribbon and trim
Washi tape
Bling – stick on jewels, sequins & glitter
Polyfil stuffing (small bag)
Large eye sewing needles for craft cord
Needle threaders
Large tomato pincushion
Specialty Craft Supplies
Small set of acrylic paints
Modge Podge
Small set of assorted size paintbrushes
Small set of foam brushes
Melty Beads
Looms & loops for weaving
Pom pom makers
Shrinky dink
E-textile findings (thread, snap circuits, LEDs, etc.)
Dollar Tree is an excellent source for basic craft supplies and ready-made seasonal craft kits. Where else can you pick up a craft kit to make six complete items for $1.25? Hobby Lobby is my go-to for craft kits, paper goods and general craft supplies when marked 40%-50% off. For me, Office Depot was the best place to get crayons, markers, scissors, glue and glue sticks during back-to-school sales.
I personally purchased all of the items listed under the specialty category while I was still working full time. Said items were definitely not left behind when I retired last year.
Come Stitch With Me 