Start by compiling plenty of basic craft project supplies including crayons, colored pencils, washable markers, chalk in assorted colors, glue sticks, acrylic paint, and paint brushes in different sizes. These items will be used several times over, so prepare to have extras. Printing paper, colorful construction paper, and butcher paper for larger projects are also necessary craft basics. Stickers, stamps, yarn, string, felt and glitter all add that finishing touch and should be kept on hand.
Adding household items to a preschool art area is a resourceful way to prevent several trips to the craft store. In fact, students and parents can donate these items to the class throughout the year so that there's a steady supply. These materials can include sponges, straws, cotton swabs, cotton balls, cardboard toilet paper rolls, old socks and scraps of fabric. From the kitchen, students can make use of old pasta, cereal and air-popped popcorn.
One day of craft supply hunting can turn up an armful of materials for preschool art projects. In the warmer months, pebbles, sand, sea shells and even flowers can be collected for later use. In cooler months stockpile twigs, dried leaves and pine cones for the art area.
Prepare for the aftermath of craft projects by keeping clean-up supplies nearby. Oversize t-shirts, plastic gloves and recycled newspaper can be used to protect clothing, furniture and floors. Other clean-up materials, such as a broom, dust pan, disinfectant spray and disinfectant wipes, can help with quickly cleaning up a spill.
Some items necessary for arts and crafts are not appropriate for use by small children. These items include scissors, box cutters, squeezable glue, staplers, permanent markers for labeling and tape dispensers. Not only could these items potentially cause harm, but curious children are likely to go overboard with these unfamiliar items. Along with the cleaning supplies, these should be tucked away in a cabinet or on a high shelf where they are out of reach.