Why You Need an Activity Supply Stash
Having all the materials available for an activity will provide that extra juice you need to get out there and do something with your kid.
You’ll save time and money when you have what you need when you need it.
You’ll have more opportunities to be creative and interact with your kids in new and exciting ways.
Our Most Commonly Used Kids’ Activity Supplies
You may have already noticed some of our activities use the same supplies over and over.
Using the same supplies for multiple activities means: I can buy in bulk, I can replace when needed, and I have everything I need for just about every activity I want to do.
Honestly, I’m also running out of room to store things and it seems like a waste to not get all the use I can out of a craft supply!
Activity Supplies from around the House
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Often I’ll split up one of these supplies, such as the bag of cotton balls, by keeping some where I normally use them and a few in a baggie on our activity supply shelf.
It helps to have everything I need for an activity in one place. I spend less time looking and more time doing with my kids!
- Colored masking tape: We use this for a lot of activities, and also for labeling containers and such. Colored masking tape peels off easily and the one I’ve linked has not left any marks or sticky residue.
- Cotton balls: A pom pom alternative. See 10 play ideas with cotton balls in this post.
- Shower curtain liner: Put one of these babies under your sensory bin or on top of the craft table and make messes magically disappear. These are also machine washable and reusable!
- Food coloring: Food coloring is easily my most used supply. I have both liquid and gel (the kind in little cups) but I use the liquid much more often.
- Colored bowls: This pack of different colored bowls is perfect for sorting that mega-pack of pom poms, for dipping paintbrushes in, and for playing in a play kitchen.
- Sponges: Any soft sponge will do. Toss in a bath, water table, or use for painting.
- Full size baking sheet: This makes a great catch-all for drips and is a nice work surface as well. It keeps rolly things from rolling away during play, and if I need to hide a mess fast, I can pick up activity on the sheet pan and store it out of sight quickly.
- Recyclables: plastic bottles, egg cartons, newspaper, cardboard, etc…. I try to recycle items for activities as often as I can.
- Toys: Often we’ll incorporate some of our open-ended toys into activities or use them in our sensory bins. Open-ended toys can include, blocks, cars, pretend food, or letters . Find out more in this toy guide.
Basic Sensory Bin Supplies
- Big underbed storage bin: Short, wide, and easy to slide under a bed when not in use.
- Little bin: This one fits perfectly inside an underbed storage bin.
- Gallon sized zip-top bags: Store sensory bin fillers in here, or use as sensory bags.
- Measuring cups and spoons: It’s best to get a set just for the kids instead of letting them borrow yours.
- Fine motor tools: The tweezer and dropper are especially useful for play activities outside the sensory bin. I like that this variety pack includes both!
ARts & Crafts Supplies
I’ve done my best not to go crazy with this. I love crafts!
The basics are a great place to start building an arts and crafts stash. The list of additional supplies is for those who have the basics and want more.
Basic Arts & Crafts Supplies
- Colored construction paper: This sturdy paper is a classic art & craft supply! SO much better than computer paper.
- Scissors: Kid-friendly ones and grown up ones for you
- Finger paint: We use this with paintbrushes, cotton swabs, and even rolling pins!.
- Paintbrushes: Getting nicer ones will make kids feel like they are creating valuable and “real” art.
- Crayons: Big fat crayons are harder for little ones to break.
- Markers: These have washed off our furniture really well with just water.
- Glue sticks: I like the ones that change color as they dry because my toddler can see what she’s gluing and where to stick the things she needs to stick.
- Pom poms: These have the best colors by far! I really like the standard 1″ size. They’re not too small to get lost, and they’re not so big that they’re too easy to manipulate. We use these in sensory bins as well.
Additional Arts & Crafts Supplies That Are Nice to Have
- White cardstock: Cardstock is better than paper for watercolors and painting. Plus you can make cards with them.
- Stickers: Dot stickers, animal stickers, free grocery store stickers… We hoard them all!
- Yarn, string, or twine: One large ball will last a long time.
- Googly eyes: My daughter is a huge fan of adding googly eyes to drawings. We’ve also put them in sensory bags and sensory bins. These are stick-on for ease of use.
- Hot glue gun: Obviously, only I use this…
- Buttons, pony beads, and other little manipulatives to make a craft extra special, or to stick in an I-spy jar!
What’s also really nice to have is an art smock. This particular one is sized for toddlers and babies. It has long sleeves, a catch-all pocket, and comes in several adorable prints.
You can also use this art smock during mealtimes to keep babies’ clothes clean!
I Have Zero Kids’ Activity Supplies. How Do I Get Started?
Start by collecting the items from around the house. You may have many of those things already! Keep them in a large tote or basket so you’ll be able to grab what you need quickly.
Remember to go through your kids toys for easy ways to mix up an activity. Sometimes “regular activities” like play dough become twice as fun when you add toys like alphabet blocks or cars!
Next, what does your kid like to do? Look over our list of indoor activities. Choose one activity that he enjoys and get all the supplies for that one activity. Try it out together.
Then do another similar activity. As you do more activities from one category, you’ll start reusing supplies.
Soon you’ll have your own stash of kids’ activity supplies customized for your family!
Looking for an organized guide of fun, easy activities to do with your toddler that also encourages their growth and development?
I’ve created a 3-month activity planner just for busy parents like you! The plan includes 65 detailed, simple, and stress-free activities including: arts and crafts, sensory play, motor skills, and STEM–all using easy-to-find supplies.
Let me help make planning activities for your toddler easy, so you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun!
