Must-Have Craft Supplies for DIYs at Home

As families hunker down at home, we know that keeping kids learning is a top priority. In addition to stocking up on food, having a toolbox of craft supplies is helpful to keep your kids creatively engaged. The team at KiwiCo made a list of must-have materials to cover a wide range of DIYs, experiments, and activities.

Paint

• Tempera paint
• Watercolor paint
• Acrylic paint

An assortment of paints will help keep things colorful like these pulled string paintings, rainbow spin art, and alphabet rocks.

Paper

• Colorful construction paper
• Cardstock paper
• White art paper 
• Tissue paper

Paper can be used for pretty much anything – drawing, cutting, or folding! Try out these paper-based projects: pop-up cards, rolled paper frame or origami fidget spinner.

Glue

• White glue
• Clear glue
• Glue sticks
• Low-temp glue gun
• Fabric glue 

Glue is the key to so many crafts, including one of our favorites – slime!

Tape

• Washi tape 
• Colored masking tape 
• Double-sided tape
• Clear tape 

We use a lot of tape at KiwiCo – our go-to happens to be washi tape! In addition to sticking things together, tape can be used to make stencils and patterns and create cool art including these cool packing tape transfers.

Writing & Drawing Utensils

• Regular & color pencils  
• Washable markers
• Felt tip & ballpoint pens 
• Crayons
• Watercolor pens (not essential but super cool)

A variety of writing/drawing utensils can be used to sketch, scribe, and hand-lettering projects like 3D Name Drawing.

Felt Sheets

Felt is great because it sticks to itself and is a solid substitute for fabric. It can also be used for easy sewing projects. Grab some felt and have your kids make their own pennants and plushies, or even a sock-a-too!

String

• Twine 
• Yarn 
• Embroidery floss

String of all types can be useful for science and sewing projects including these pom pom bunnies, water flow experiment and finger knitting.

Pipe Cleaners

Use colorful bendable pipe cleaners for linking things together and for crafting different fun creatures like these rainbow jellyfish monsters and science experiments including these borax crystals.

Pom Poms

Use pom poms to decorate, embellish and transform! Keep your plants happy with this cute watering can or launch pom poms across the room with this cool desk catapult.

Clay

• Air-dry clay
• Polymer clay
• Playdough

Sculpt carve and create clay into bracelets, pictures or this celestial DIY Sundial.

Popsicle Sticks

In addition to making flavorful pops, use popsicle sticks to construct projects like this archery craft and cranberry catapult.

Googly Eyes

Because googly eyes make everything more fun including these topping turtles and this no-sew bunny basket. 

Other Essential Basics

Craft Tools: Scissors, erasers, hole punch, stapler, paintbrushes, and embroidery needles
Household Craft Supplies: Vinegar, baking soda, cotton balls, paper plates, shaving cream, food coloring, flour, cotton balls, socks, and beans
Upcycled Craft Supplies: Scrap paper, egg cartons, toilet paper/paper towel rolls, sandwich bags, and cardboard boxes 

Pro-tip! Say no to glitter. It spills easily, gets everywhere, and is impossible to completely clean up!