Of course your kids’ artwork is a priceless masterpiece, but that doesn’t mean you gotta spend a lot on it! If arts and crafts is one of your kids’ favorite activities, you already know that the cost supplies adds up fast. Here are 5 tips to save money on art supplies. Now, go get crafty!
1. Shop smart on basics
- Stock up on the basics at the Dollar Store. Get things like glue, pipe cleaners, beads, and glitter glue. Everything is just $1 and you can even get disposable tableclothes to make clean up a breeze.
- One thing I wouldn’t buy at the Dollar Store is paint. Dollar Store paint is slightly watered down and there’s no guarantee it’s non-toxic. Craft store paint is a much better bet. At the craft store you can find lots of non-toxic options and you can always stack it with 40% coupons you can find online.
- Check your office supply stores for rebates. Places like Office Depot or Office Max have great sales on paper and you can always get money back.
- When I’m looking for construction paper I love going to Walmart and the Dollar Store.
2. Use what you already have
- The best things in life are free!! Set aside a box in your house to collect things like milk jugs, toilet paper rolls, and oatmeal containers.
- The aluminum foil rolls make great building blocks if you ever want to do a craft with your kids.
- But a scrap bag in your drawer for extra gift wrap or fabric. This makes great collage materials for toddlers and awesome sensory activities. This way you always have something at the ready when your kids want to do a craft.
3. Stock up on sales
- One of the best times to buy craft supplies is right before school starts. You can get screaming deals on paper, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, and even organizing supplies.
- Another great time to stock up on stickers, paper, and glue is right after Valentine’s Day. The clearance is awesome!
4. Keep your supplies longer
- Something we love doing is having a reserve of marker caps and glue tops cause those always tend to go missing and you eliminate waste. If your makers dry out you can soak them in a bowl of warm water to revive them. I love this hack!
- Help your kids stay organized and accountable. I actually really like pre-made art kits because everything has a place to put back. Elle told me that Presley has a really easy time keeping all of her supplies organized.
5. Make it yourself
- You only need to buy paint in primary colors and your kids can make purples, greens, and pinks and it’s a great learning activity.
- What’s Up Moms has great recipes for play dough and sidewalk chalk which is such a fun activity with the kids.
