We love art and crafting here! My poor boys don't really have much of say seeing as their mama is a crafter/scrapbooker. ;) Good thing Grayson seems to love it and Liam is just beginning!
I'm going to share some of our current favorite art supplies.
Melissa and Doug's Shape, Model and Mold set. Grayson loves the tools with it and I love that the dough isn't "sticky" like PlayDoh seems to have become. It's a win-win!
IKEA drawing paper. We picked this up on sale on our last visit to IKEA this past Fall. Now, I wish I would have bought more! I love laying out the huge sheets one at a time for Grayson to doodle or "wight" his heart out!
Melissa and Doug Truck Crayon Set. Now, the crayon quality isn't as bold and creamy as Crayola, but for the value, this set is great for little hands! It has a hard plastic lid that closes over the crayons for safe keeping and the crayons are triangular and fit perfect in Grayson's tiny hand. I picked this up at Target for under $4!
Melissa and Doug Easel Accessory Set. We just picked this up a few weeks ago and I'm so glad we did! Super great set for the easel and sidewalk! We had a set of the paintbrushes before and I love how thick the handles are for Grayson to hold and the bristles are this and full. We just used the spill-proof paint cups and paint the other day and I am so happy with them! Grayson liked that he could pick a brush and just go to town. I liked that the chance of a big, painty mess was slim!
The paint cups in action! And little brother's chubby fingers ready to grab too!
The paints and brushes in action!
Homemade PlayDoh. Photo courtesy of scrumdillydilly.blogspot.com :)
The recipe I used:
Ingredients:
3 cups flour, sifted
1 1/2 cup salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
3 1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons oil
food coloring (I used the gel kind)
Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a large pot until no lumps remain. Whisk in the wet ingredients (except for the food coloring) and stir until no lumps remain. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes until a dough forms. Separate into several portions and add food coloring, kneading until uniform in color. Store in airtight containers.
I love that this is non-toxic!
My First Crayola anything. Stamps, crayons, markers. We got these when Grayson was around 10 months old. LOVE them. They're easy to grip and he really loves the stampers now, since he's moved on to "real" crayons and markers. Liam is just starting to using the crayon ones and so far, so good! It's so fun watching them learn! We also got the "magic marker" one where you use special paper and a clear marker and then fun rainbow colors appear when the little one writes. No mess and so fun!
Drawing Pads. Grayson loves to draw and he loves to have me join him (I admit, I love to doodle too!) My mother in law ordered a few of these specific paper pads from the Melissa dn Doug website when they were one sale and I am so grateful that she did! They're perfect for when Grayson is screaming, "color, mommy! 'rawwww (draw), mommy!" and I can just pull a sheet off the pad and hand him the container of crayons and he is happy as a lark!
So there ya have it. Our current art supply faves. Hope you enjoy and Happy Monday! :)
