An Easy, Cheap Way to Organize Craft Supplies
Use One Shelf to Get Kids’ Arts & Crafts Items under Control
Dec 3, 2008
Kids who enjoy art can have a lot of craft supplies, but these craft items do not have to take over the entire house. Organize the art and craft supplies so they can be found when needed and stored neatly in craft organizers when not in use.
Craft Storage Containers at Home
Before purchasing craft organizers, it’s important to see what is on hand. There is no need to purchase fancy or expensive bins to hold art and craft supplies. The basics that are needed include a paper tray with multiple bins and containers for craft storage. To reduce costs, re-use old yogurt containers of all sizes, plastic take-out containers, baby food jars or the newer plastic baby food containers, or disposable food containers like Gladware®. The best options are clear storage containers. Try to find a container that will at least have a see-through lid.
The next step, before purchasing anything, is to see what art and craft supplies are on hand. Consider combining packages of foam shapes or stickers and any other items that are alike. See which items fit in the storage containers on hand, looking to place the items in the smallest container possible. It will become apparent what size of craft organizers are needed for the other items.
Where to Buy Craft Organizers
Instead of going to a craft supply or organizing store, head to the section of the grocery store or dollar store that sells the containers for storing food. These containers are workhorses that hold up well over time. The lids stay on tight so the crayons don’t end up on the floor when children are pulling them out to use. These clear storage containers are see through. For easy-to-see and accessible art and craft supplies aim for similar shapes of storage containers. The low, long, rectangular containers for sandwiches are ideal for crayons, colored pencils, stickers and pencils. The flat, square containers work well for craft sticks, pom poms, foam, scissors or tape. The larger containers work for markers, white glue and glue sticks.
Craft Storage for Kids' Art Supplies
At home, remove all the art and craft supplies from plastic bags and recycle the cardboard. Place all the items in the smallest containers that fit them. Decide which are the most popular items and which are less often used. This process will help to determine where the items go on the shelf, which should be cleared off before starting. Choose a higher shelf in a home with younger children who aren’t allowed to help themselves to craft supplies and a lower shelf for homes with older children. If space allows in homes with multiple children, consider making each child an individual container of crayons or a couple of frequently used items.
Place the paper bin on one side of the shelf. Depending on what items are used the most, use each bin for a few favorite coloring books, construction paper, drawing paper or foam sheets. Label all containers on the long and short sides to easily find what is needed. Stack less-frequently used items toward the back of the shelf and work forward with more-frequently used craft supplies until all the craft items are put away.
Homes that have a little extra room for more kids' craft supplies may want to use the largest size of the food storage containers to organize coloring books, workbooks, paints and other craft items. These containers stack easily on the floor of a closet or on a shelf.
Following these tips for organizing craft supplies will keep supplies under control and make it easier for children to access the items they want to use. Clean up is a breeze when it is time to put away the craft supplies. For more craft ideas read Rainy Day Activities and Crafts Kids Love.
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