Polymer Clay
Affordable items to keep on hand for a rainy day
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Polymer Clay
Polymer is the perfect medium for older kids to sculpt with. Its affordable, comes in a rainbow of colors, and bakes in the oven. Sculpey offers a variety of polymer project ideas, tips, and techniques.
Get it from Blick, $17.25 for 30-color pack » -
Crayola Color Wonder Markers
These markers are amazingly mess-free! The ink is clear on most surfaces but magically shows up on Color Wonder paper, so make sure to pick up the accompanying Color Wonder activity and coloring books!
Get it from Crayola Store, $7.99 for 10-pack » -
Pony Beads
A large selection of pony beads in a variety of bright colors offers endless possibilities for all skill levels. Download free patterns, templates, and project ideas for all ages over at Making Friends.
Get them from JoAnn, $6.99 for 1-pound bag » -
Shrinky Dinks
Shrinky Dinks have been around for years, but kids of any generation will be amazed to watch their creations shrink in the oven! Note: Parent supervision needed.
Get them from Goe Stores, $5.18 for 10 sheets » -
Play-Doh
Play-Doh brings out the kid in all of us, doesnt it? Its easy for young children to handle, and the creative possibilities are endless. Buy a selection of colors, or even make your own!
Get it from Hasbro Toy Shop, $12.99 for 24-pack » -
Fabric Paint
With a little supervision and some dollar store tee shirts, kids of all ages can channel their inner fashion designers using fabric paint. Have older kids sketch out their ideas first on paper before painting on shirts.
Get it from Amazon, $6.65 for 6-bottle starter kit » -
Origami
For older kids with a little patience, origami is a rewarding, mess-free craft. This book contains more than 100 sheets of paper, complete with how-tos and embellishments.
Get it from Amazon, $12.75 » -
Scratch Magic Deluxe Kit
Scratch art is a unique way for children to create striking masterpieces with very few supplies. This kit contains scratch paper in a bunch of colors, a stylus for scratching, and different templates.
Get it from Barnes and Noble, $15.95 » -
Embroidery Floss
Friendship bracelet-making is a fun, portable craft that requires few supplies. Once youve stocked up with this big bag of colored floss, you can download free patterns depending on your kids skill level.
Get it from JoAnn, $19.99 » -
Liquid Watercolor Paint
Forget the chalky watercolor palettes you had in school and invest in these vibrant liquid watercolors. Have children draw a picture using a black permanent marker and fill in with paint. (Use watercolor paper for best results.)
Get it from Discount School Supply, $23.92 »
sculpey clay!!! that was my favorite in jr. high art class