Some toys come into the house and are never touched. But when it comes to anything that can be squeezed, glued, streaked or scribbled, my daughter is all over it. Here are our top ten as of late, just in time for those lazy summer days at home or cozy winter days by the fire...
1. Beeswax crayons, because they're green, eco-friendly, and non-toxic.
2. Good watercolor paper (we like Strathmore) & brushes that don't feather or lose their bristles. You can go with one of those cheapo kid's paint sets and still get beautiful, gift-able results. We love turning Sophie's watercolor creations into birthday cards for our family and friends.
3. A real easel. Grammie, a talented watercolor artist, gave Sophie this one for Christmas. It's sturdy, functional, and we keep it right the kitchen because it's not a plastic eyesore.
4. Playcolor Kids Poster Paints are amazing. I love the work that Sophie makes using these (see above!). They are greasy when applied but dry nicely.
5. Safety scissors are key for collage projects.
6. Washi tape and glue (to go with those safety scissors). Seriously, this is the go-to thing we do when I can't think of one more thing to do. Get out some old magazines and call it a day. Or a half-hour, at least.
7. Good old fashioned Crayola markers are a standby. Sophie often prefers these to crayons or colored pencils.
8. Do-a-Dot is an ingenious invention that is a win for 1-year old set, and, well, for people my age. There is something really satisfying about dotting with these. Sophie first started playing with this in a Mommy and Me class (she was around 18 months). We're still going strong with our interest (and our dotting) two years later.
9. Homemade playdough is one of those things that seems like a lot of work, but really, making it with your kiddo and then playing with it together doubles the fun. They'll be so proud that they made their own toy.
10. A cardboard box. The end-all, be-all canvas of choice. Add tape, crayons, or simply imagination.
Happy crafting!
Photo via Unsplash.
