Craft Supplies Every Child Should Have

June 7th, 2021 by dayat No comments »

You want your child to get away from the TV, the I-pod or the computer and participate in a creative, hands-on activity. You know a craft project fits the bill but do you know which supplies your child should have? Here is a list of craft supplies every child should have to complete projects at a moment’s notice. A bonus is that you may already have many of these items in your home.

Crayons and Markers. A 24 pack of crayons and a set of primary color markers are all you need. Use water-based markers instead of permanent markers which are not washable.

Construction Paper. A pack of construction paper is an inexpensive and colorful addition to your craft supplies. Construction paper comes in many different sizes. As your child makes different crafts, keep the larger scraps of paper in a container for use in future projects.

Safety Scissors. Safety scissors have blunt ends and are small for little hands. For very small children who are developing fine motor skills, there are spring-action scissors available which open automatically after squeezing. Scissor skills are important for children to develop before entering kindergarten.

White Glue, Craft Glue or Glue Sticks. Each of these glues serves a different purpose.White glue is thin and works well in small amounts when gluing paper and items to horizontal surfaces. Craft glue tends to be thicker and works well when gluing heavier items, such as beads or foam, to vertical surfaces. Glue sticks are easier to use than white glue with paper crafts. White glue used in large amounts will create waves in the paper.

Tape. Clear adhesive tape can be used in place of glue and for hanging artwork.

Glitter Glue. This is clear glue with glitter added and it comes in a rainbow of colors. It is a good alternative to glitter in many crafts. The one drawback of glitter glue is the long drying time so save it for the end of the craft project to avoid smearing.

Acrylic Paints and Paint Brushes. Acrylic paints are water-based paint that can be used on most surfaces. Clean up is easy and drying time is short. Inexpensive paint brushes are idea for kid’s crafts in case little ones forget to clean the brush.

Ribbon. The choice of colors, widths and textures are endless. Just visit your local craft store and you’ll see what I mean. A few spools of satin ribbon in primary colors are sufficient.

White Paper Plates. The internet is busting at the seams with paper plate projects. Choose paper plates without the wax coating when using them for a craft project. Paper plates are also handy while working on other projects. Squeeze your glue or paints onto a plate or use a plate to hold small craft supplies such as beads or sequins.

Craft Sticks (AKA Popsicle Sticks). No, you don’t have to eat dozens of Popsicles to get enough sticks for your projects! Craft sticks are found in the craft aisle and come in different sizes and colors. They are great for building structures.

Craft Supplies – How to Get Your Children in the Holiday Spirit

April 7th, 2021 by dayat No comments »

When the winter winds start knocking at your door, it can be challenging to keep your children occupied. The holiday season is a busy time with shopping, decorating, baking and preparing to entertain. There may not always be time for you to sit and enjoy the season, but if you use your creativity you can create valuable holiday memories with your children that will last a lifetime.

Craft supplies offer the perfect opportunity for you to do some holiday multi-tasking. By engaging in holiday crafts with your children, you can spend quality time together while also knocking some important holiday tasks off your to-do list. More importantly, by making homemade cards, gift tags and ornaments, you can save money for more important things.

Holiday Cards

Holiday greeting cards are a staple around every major holiday. Sending warm wishes to the important people in your life is a nice sentiment, but cards, stamps, address labels and finding spare time to fill them out can be nuisance. However, if you turn your greeting cards into a holiday craft project, you can get your kids involved and make the process much more enjoyable.

Craft Supplies:

Cardstock
Embellishments
Glue
Scissors
Markers

Holiday Gift Tags

When giving out your Valentine’s Day, Christmas or Hanukkah gifts, homemade gift tags can make your presents a little more special. With just a few craft supplies you can create ornamental tags that are ideal for any holiday. Use photographs of your children or let them draw holiday pictures for an even more personalized look.

Craft Supplies:

Cardstock
Ribbon
Embellishments
Glue
Scissors
Photographs
Markers

Holiday Ornaments

When you think of holiday ornaments, you probably think of a Christmas tree. However, you can use ornaments to decorate your home for any holiday. Use green clovers for St. Patrick’s Day or Fireworks for the Fourth of July. Use any craft supplies you have in your home to create decorations for every holiday that are inexpensive and personal.

Craft Supplies:

Photographs
Popsicle sticks
Close pins
Glue
Scissors

For even more holiday craft ideas, visit your local craft supplies store and browse the aisles for inspiration!

Pat Catan’s is a family owned arts and crafts supply store. Started in Cleveland in 1954, Pat Catan’s has been offering quality floral, scrapbooking, ribbon, candy making, jewelry and art supplies crafters need to let their creativity flourish. With 21 craft stores located throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, Pat Catan’s has grown into a haven for artists and crafters.