As we try to clean up post holiday, I want to know the answer to this question. How do you store your kid’s art supplies? It’s a hot topic in our playgroup right now and I thought I would ask if anyone has a great suggestion to share. Leave a note in the comments and moms everywhere may thank you. I’ll be running an organizing series in early spring and plan to tackle all the art supplies floating around the house.
Project is from January’s Kiwi Crate, “Family Game Night.”
We use art supplies regularly in our home. Crayons and markets are stored in pencil cases, paper, glue sticks, and paints are all in a cute drawer system that I purchased at Michael’s. We paint on canvas quite a bit, and I store those with “my” craft items.
As for the artwork itself, I try to use 8 1/2 X 11 paper when creating with my son. I keep all of his projects in a plastic tub with hanging file folders. The file folders are organized by calendar year/school classroom name. I’ve tried using the Artkive app, but just can’t bear to toss my little man’s projects. One thing I’m thinking of doing is creating a small Project Life Mini Album with all of his drawings. I think he’d like to see all of his “stuff” in one place, and I’d be able to add to it year after year. I’m still working this idea in my head!
I use “Art Kive” which was a free app when i got it. (emily, i may have even heard about this from you??) You can take pictures of your crafts and even email them to grandparents or friends. Super cute!
We have a small apartment, so I made the switch from decorative pieces of furniture to more functional years ago. I really like using dressers outside of the bedroom. We have 2 antique ones in our dining room. One is long and low and looks like a sideboard. I’ve dedicated one side to art supplies. My 5.5 yo can now easily find what she’s looking for and even keeps it somewhat organized. She uses markers & crayons everyday, so we have a small bucket of those she can carry from room to room for when the mood strikes.
As far as keeping the artwork, you just have to be brutal and toss most of it. I save the best or display it in our rotating art wall. I usually let the pile grow and then when she’s not looking toss 99% of it.
I have also just learned to live with art mess as part of our lives. That’s probably the best advice I could give. 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion Emily! Hope you and the new baby are doing well.
I look forward to when I can leave the supplies at their level, they are just a little too destructive at this point! (think markers on the walls…)
I liked reading the comments, because I have no idea myself!