Affordable sustainable art and craft supplies for kids
Arts and crafts are fun creative ways for children to learn and experience the world. Visual art supplies don’t have to be expensive. Here are some ways to use what you have or find sustainable bargains for the kids to use.
I should mention at this point, I don’t know much about visual expression beyond the computer. I always believed I was too uncoordinated. However, I have returned to this form of vulnerable creativity as a parent. Drawing and painting are classic activities in the childhood experience. So now I am facilitating the use of coloured pencils and paper. I am also looking for other materials and methods so we can mix up the variety.
Use what you have. If you already have pencils at home, the family could use them for arts and crafts. Image: Unsplash.
Use what you already have
Being environmentally minded, I don’t want to simply buy everything in the art shop. We can look around our surroundings to find useful creative supplies.
Existing art and office supplies at home
Before you think about going shopping, see what you already have at home. My family has an old tin of coloured pencils that have been around for decades. That is the first supply to use. It’s a simple obvious way to use what we have.
Then there’s the question of what paper (or other material) the child should draw on. Let’s start with an obvious choice again. If there are old half-used or unused notebooks around the home, get them out. It’s time for the young one to scribble on that paper. What happens when that is used up? I didn’t rush out to buy more notebooks. I will do that when needed. But if any paper will do, there’s another solution.
Reusing paper and cardboard
If you have packing paper from the post or from a move, that’s a good medium for a child’s next artwork. Why not? I currently order groceries from Amazon. We then decorate the boxes and paper that wrap those goods.
Here’s another option. Find clean paper that wrapped other things. I have a big box of Who Gives a Crap toilet paper. The individual rolls are wrapped in colourful paper. I bet they would make beautiful origami. Keep those colourful wrappers nice and clean (away from the bathroom) and they can be used for drawing or other craft.
Food as art
Look in the kitchen for inspiration. Could some bold colourful foods be used to make paint? Maybe the flour and salt could be mixed with water to make play dough. Of course, dry penne pasta or macaroni can be strung onto a necklace.
Nature
What could you make from leaves? Maybe it’s time to find out. Could some (relatively clean) rocks be used to create artworks?
Old (not precious) homewares
Decorate some homewares that are just around the house or found pre-loved elsewhere. When I was much younger, I painted a large vase. I appreciated the creative experience at the time. Got more glasses or mugs than you need? See what you can make with them.
Repurposing natural disposable items
Do you sometimes receive disposable wooden or bamboo cutlery with your takeaway meals? If they didn’t get used, they could be repurposed in the next crafty session.
Second hand arts and crafts supplies
Reduce your footprint by finding good quality supplies that already exist in the world. Things could even be new but not retail-new. I looked at Facebook Marketplace and found spare fabric, paint, beads, tablecloth (to prevent messes), crochet cotton and buttons. Why not look at eBay and other sites. See what you can find.
If you don’t have paint brushes, use your hands to paint a picture. It’s a tactile experience. Image: Unsplash.
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