Hi friends, On Tuesday I rounded up a few ideas for crafty ways to keep your kids busy this summer, and promised I'd be back today with a list of craft supplies that I think are essential. It's by no means an exhaustive list, but it'll definitely get you started. [caption id="attachment_5466" align="aligncenter" width="201" caption="Photography, Nancy Falconi"] [/caption] When I was putting together the Road Trip Craft Kit (shown above) for our June issue, I asked my mum to ask her Grade 1/2 class what sort of craft supplies they thought should go inside the box. Here's what they said:

• a variety of paper (plain, lined, construction, origami, card stock and paper bags)
• stickers
• pipe cleaners and
• wooden stir sticks
• pencils, a pencil sharpener and a good eraser
• pencil crayons and crayons
• Scotch tape and masking tape
• snacks (I love their idea that snack time was an important aspect of creativity!)

Those supplies were chosen from a larger list because they all seemed pretty car-friendly – there's not too much of a chance that they'd do lasting damage to the carpet or upholstery if they get dropped between the seats (though you might want to keep an eye on the crayons if you're leaving them in the backseat on a real scorcher of a day). To beef up the craft kit for at-home use, consider adding some of the following (slightly messier) options:

• markers
• glue stick, white glue and tacky/craft glue
• glitter glue
• scissors and/or scrapbooking scissors
• acrylic and/or watercolour paints and brushes
• gesso boards or small pre-stretched canvases
• a roll of kraft paper
• modelling clay – from plasticine to fimo to actual clay
• a sunprint kit
• embroidery floss or plastic cording
• assorted beads and buttons

Depending on how mature/independent your kids are, you might like to add activity books, such as colouring or painting books, or books with ideas for craft projects or, for a special treat, a DIY kit (such as this robot kit or this learn-to-knit kit). I'd also encourage them to use a notebook to record project ideas, plans or record notes on how their projects worked. I think that crafting is a great way to keep kids busy, but it's also a way to encourage them to be creative, to experiment and to take risks. They'll learn everything from colour theory to math and science skills to language skills, and they'll develop other crucial skills too, things like cooperation, sharing and fine-motor skills. And hey – cleaning up the occasional glitter glue spill is a million times better than listening to the looping soundtrack of some video game or another, don't you think? What supplies would you (or your kids) add to this list?