simple kids activities/supplies for lots of time at home

i have a well stocked art closet and i'm very thankful for that in times like this where we are spending all our time at home.  here is a list of art/craft/sensory materials that can make for some easy kids activities.

a few others must have for us are pipe cleaners, washi tape, craft sticks, glue, craft paper and pom poms.  if you want to stock up your art supplies, you can find most of these on amazon or make a purchase through discount school supply, i would imagine they have all of these and free shipping over $33

***** sorry for all the weird spacing, but i just want to get this out to you, instead of spending hours to edit it to look perfect*****

~shaving cream: great for a toy wash, add some food coloring and swirl and put paper on top to make tie dye prints or add water beads.

~water beads: (can be purchased on amazon, we usually get orbeez brand)

water beads with scoops and cups is always a big hit

~salt: (for play dough making, salt painting, ice melts and colored salt smoothies)

make a layered colored salt smoothie

~play dough: (a staple in our house.  use with kitchen tools, popsicle sticks, cookie cutters, plastic animals/dinos/cars)

~chalk: (great for drawing outside, grate it and add to water to make paint, get it wet and do a chalk smash)

~liquid water color: (not a necessity, but fun for painting or anywhere you would use food coloring to dye something, however not taste safe.  we use colorations brand, available on amazon and discount school supply)

painting a dollar tree wooden heart decoration

~chalk markers: (available on amazon, i don't have a favorite brand.  great for drawing on glass, windows, mirrors or transparent sheets)

drawing over a picture in a clear plastic sheet

~tempera paint cakes and paper: (available on amazon, painting with no mess! use with washi tape for resist painting)

~kwik stix tempera paint pens: (available on amazon, great mess free option for painting, dries in no time)

mess free painting!

~air dry clay: (make beads for jewelry making or sculptures, can paint when dry with kwik stix or tempera paint cakes)

bowie painting air dry beads we made

~dot markers: (great for any project, lots of free printable worksheets online to color within the dots)

 





















~vinegar and baking soda: potions are always a winner!  add some food coloring or liquid watercolor for some added interest and color mixing!

potions never get old.  just baking soda, vinegar and food coloring!

~beads: (we use pony beads/wooden beads for lacing on pipe cleaner, jewelry making or other open ended art projects.  you can also cut up pieces of plastic or paper straws and make your own "beads")

 





















~ice:  ice melts with salt and warm water or freeze small bugs or animals for a "rescue" mission.

christmas themed ice melt with festive loose parts

~recycled items: (make a recycled tree house, color a box, make a fort)

draw inside of big boxes

~water play:

pour station with recycled bottles, water and food coloring

puddle jumping

just some scoops and cups are fun for little ones -always supervised

~sensory play: (we have lots of dried pantry goods that we reuse for sensory play, but i wouldn't do this unless you already have some designated for this purpose).

beans and animals with scoops

rainbow rice

~baking:

kids love to help in the kitchen