Here are some of my favorite supplies and resources that make crafting easier, more enjoyable, and less stressful. These are tools I personally love and reach for often—but that doesn’t mean you have to. Feel free to explore them and decide what works best for you and your crafting style. Even adding just one new favorite can save you time and spark fresh creativity. Think of this as a helpful starting point, not a must-have list.
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Paper
There are so many different kinds of paper out there. I think the most important to have on hand is probably white copy paper, but here are some other great ones:
- Construction paper
- White copy paper
- Cardstock paper
- Patterned paper– this could really be any patterned paper, but you could have something on hand for each Holiday.
Mod Podge
I love Mod Podge. It is useful in just about any project I do. It’s the perfect glue because it’s strong and dries clear. It is amazing. It is my go-to for glue. An 8 oz. container can easily last me a year, unless I’m doing some huge decoupage project.
Double sided tape
Double sided tape comes in handy for those simple projects that don’t need a lot to stick. It makes it easy to get in tough spots and keeps your hands from getting sticky.
Acrylic paints
I use acrylic paints on every painting project: wood, paper, cardboard, canvas, you name it! They are cheap, come in all variety of colors, and very durable.
Puffy paint
I just recently learned about puffy paint. I like it. It’s more of a plastic paint. It sticks really well to things. They don’t have as many colors as the acrylic. I haven’t tried them on everything, but I’m starting to and I like them a lot.
Cheap paint brushes
I am a big fan of the cheap paint brushes, especially for craft projects. You can buy a pack of them off Amazon or any store for like $6-$9. It comes with a variety of brushes. I do not like to buy expensive brushes for my kids. They will end up getting ruined. The cheap ones take the stress out of worrying about them. If it breaks or gets ruined it was only .50.
Silhouette
I’m hoping to show more crafts on this website with the use of my Silhouette because I absolutely love it! You can make just about anything with it. It cuts just about anything. I usually use it for vinyl and paper. I’ve made t-shirts, onesies, wood signs, decals, stickers, and pencil holders. You can add vinyl to almost anything, including kids crafts, school supplies, and kids clothes. I made my daughter a really cute birthday shirt last year.
I highly recommend the silhouette. If you do a lot of projects, it’s for you!
Paper cutter
I can’t cut a straight line to save my life. I use my paper cutter at least twice a week. I recommend only buying the 12 X 12 size. It’s big enough for just about everything. This is the one I have right now, and I love it. The blades do have to be replaced every once in a while, but if you buy a nice one, it should last you a while. And the great thing is that a nice one is too expensive!
Good scissors
Having good scissors is key. The more I do crafts, the more I realize that I love using Kitchen scissors. They are just way more durable than most scissors, and they last longer. I have the KitchenAid ones, and I love them.
Tape
Tape comes in handy for so many things. Activities, crafts, and for fixing things. It’s always good to have different tapes on hand. It’s easy to be creative with tape, especially decorative tape like Washi Tape. Here are the ones I recommend:
Masking Tape
Painting Tape
Washi Tape -These make great stocking stuffers during Christmas, or to add into Easter baskets. Kids love it!
Dot adhesives – These are great for small things you need to glue or those hard to reach spots.
Foam adhesives– These are great for wanting to make something pop on the page.
Save Items
Start saving things after you use them. For example: egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, and containers. These come in handy, and make great crafts. Just keep a box of these items so when you need an easy, cheap craft, you already have it on hand.
Items to have on Hand
There are a few items that are great to have on hand, just about all the time. (besides the ones I mentioned above). You could probably do at least half of the crafts and activities on my blog if you have these items on hand (they just come in handy):
Most of these you can purchase from the dollar store. However, it might not be a bad idea to buy them in bulk so you always have them on hand. If you click the link, it’ll take you to the bulk item, for relatively cheap. (which in the end could be cheaper)
Pipe Cleaners
Googly Eyes
Masking Tape
Balloons
Craft Sticks (or tongue compressors, or Popsicle sticks)
Q-tips
Food Coloring
Construction Paper
Yarn
Paper Plates(The more “papery” the better)
Cotton Balls
Paper Cups
Embellishments
Embellishments may not be a must, but they truly add that extra something to every project. They give kids a fun way to be creative, personalize their work, and express themselves. Embellishments are anything you add to a craft to give it character—like buttons, stickers, gems, or other decorative details.
Stickers
Pom poms
Foam stickers and shapes
Beads
Jewels
Gems
Felt Shapes
Here is a good starter pack.
Kids Apron
Having a kids apron actually comes in handy. It can be a pain to have your kids change clothes every time you do some art. Nobody wants more laundry. I always thought putting an apron on wouldn’t really make a difference, but it does. They rarely get their clothes dirty with the aprons.
If you go to Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month, they do a free building activity for kids. They give you a cute little Home Depot apron. It’s cheap, but it does work. It’s a little big for my son, but we make it work. Or, you can buy a pretty cheap adjustable one from Amazon.
Craft Storage
Having a dedicated place to store your craft supplies is a huge bonus. Craft drawers and shelves can easily become messy, but with a simple organizing system in place, everything stays more manageable. When supplies are easy to find and put away, crafting becomes smoother, faster, and a lot more enjoyable for everyone.
Where will you start your crafting journey?
At the end of the day, crafting should feel fun, flexible, and stress-free. Having a few go-to supplies and simple embellishments on hand can make projects easier to pull together while still leaving plenty of room for creativity. You don’t need every tool or decoration—just the ones that inspire you and help kids feel proud of what they create. Start small, experiment as you go, and let crafting be a joyful way to make memories together.