Favorite Supplies

I’m often asked what art materials we use, and thought it might be useful to have a page with just that! Check out 50 Art Materials for Toddlers if you’re just getting started.

Where I shop

Amazon: I order a lot of our supplies through Amazon because, frankly, I’m lazy and like to take advantage of Amazon Prime. If you click over here it will take you to my Amazon Store where you’ll see all of my favorite materials in one easy spot. I have either personally purchased the items in this store or included them based on their 5-star reviews. You can’t go wrong with the items in this shop.

Discount School Supply: I order most of my supplies from Discount School Supply (linked to many of the materials you see below). I understand that they don’t ship internationally, but if you learn otherwise please let me know! Their prices are reasonable, they offer free shipping for orders over $79, and they usually ship within two days. I know people who share orders to meet the $79 minimum in case that works for you too!

Target/Walmart/Drug Store/Dollar Store: Great places to find your everyday school-ready art supplies like glue bottles, paper, pencils, crayons, etc. Target and Walmart usually put all of these on huge discount in August before the school year begins and it’s worth stocking up!

Reuse/recycling Center: In the Bay Area we have two wonderful resources called RAFT and SCRAP where you I pick up industry recycled materials at a big discount. RAFT is just for educators and requires a membership. If you like to dig for treasures and make junk sculptures with the kids, I highly recommend finding something like RAFT or SCRAP near you!

Recycling: I “shop” for materials in our recycling bin where we salvage styrofoam, boxes, and tubes for our projects. If you have the space, set a box aside to save the best pieces for your projects.

++++++++

Some of our favorites

White Sulphite Paper: 80 lb.

Great all-around paper for drawing. It’s heavier than copy paper and can withstand light water-based projects. For heavier projects, watercolor paper, cardboard, or foam core may work better.

Colorations Liquid Watercolor Paint (8 oz.)
https://a248.e.akamai.net/7/1892/937/f56fbb0e0e3d5f/www.discountschoolsupply.com/images/products/16821.jpg

Elmer’s Washable School Glue

We use this ALL the time; we squeeze it straight from the bottle, pour it into small bowls and paint with it, add it to our Gak recipe, etc. It’s washable and non-toxic.

Colorations Washable Glue – Gallon

I could refill our glue bottles with Elmer’s, but right now I have a gallon of Colorations glue in my cupboard, and it seems to work just as well. And it’s less expensive.

Colorations Glue Sticks – Set of 12

Reasonably priced glue sticks. They go on purple, making it easy for little ones to know where they’ve glued, and it dries clear. I like the 12-pack because we tend to lose our glue stick caps and they dry out quickly. I also like having extras for friends who come over.

Colorations Simply Washable Tempera Paint 16 oz.

Colored Masking Tape

We make pictures with it, use it as pretend caution tape, and add it to junk sculptures. It’s easy for me to tear, and easy for a child who uses scissors to cut. We use so much of it that I’ve already ordered a second batch.

Crayola Twistables

 Note: I’m an affiliate with various businesses that I respect, trust, and believe that my readers will find useful. Clicks on some of these links help me keep the Tinkerlab engine running. Thank you!