How to Stock a Children's Craft Cupboard

A children's craft cupboard can be stocked with inexpensive items that will allow children to be creative. Refill supplies when they get low and be ready for your children to have hours of fun with the items in the children's craft cupboard.

Different Kinds of Paper

A children's craft cupboard needs paper and lots of it. Stock colored construction paper, plain white drawing paper, newsprint and watercolor paper for painting. Large sheets of newsprint are especially good for young children who are still learning how to control the paintbrush and markers.

Crayons and Markers

A large supply of crayons and markers is a must in a children's craft cupboard. Be sure to buy non-toxic versions of each. If you shop during the back-to-school shopping season, you will be able to get incredible deals on both of these items. To organize your supply, use plastic storage containers that have extra room to add crayons and markers as your supplies increase.

Paint and Paintbrushes

Add watercolor paint, poster paint and finger paint to your children's craft cupboard. Look for non-toxic, washable varieties in vibrant colors. Be sure to have plenty of the primary colors: red, yellow and blue because young children like to experiment with mixing paint colors to create new colors.

Include paintbrushes in several sizes. Painting sponges and other, unusual painting tools will make a fun addition to the children's craft cupboard.

Glue

Different types of glue are used for different projects. Glue sticks are great for young children to glue paper onto paper. White school glue is a little stronger and is good for a myriad of projects. You may even include a glue gun in the children's craft cupboard for older children to use with adult supervision.

Stickers

Stickers seem to find their way to a home with children effortlessly. Start a collection in a special container in the children's craft cupboard. Add stickers that come in junk mail, that are in birthday party goody bags and stickers that you pick up at a dollar store.

Safety Scissors

Children like to use scissors, so have a few pairs on hand in the children's craft cupboard. If the children in the home are too young for scissors, store them someplace else until they are old enough to have free access to them. Like the crayons and markers, scissors can usually be purchased during back-to-school sale time for just a few cents.

Play-Doh

Keep a plastic storage container filled with Play-Doh and Play-Doh tools in the children's craft cupboard. This becomes a quick, easy activity to pull out when a distraction is needed. Garage sales are great places to find old Play-Doh tools and toys. Make your own Play-Doh or buy inexpensive Play-Doh at any department store.

Old Magazines

Old magazines are perfect for cut and paste collages. They can even be used to make a self-created picture book. Simply cut some interesting pictures out of a magazine, past them onto paper, add captions and staple.

A children's craft cupboard can be filled with paper, crayons, painting supplies, glue, stickers, scissors, Play-doh and old magazines. Keep the cupboard stocked and enjoy displaying your children's many creations.