Guest Picks: Create a Home Art Center for Kids
Motivate little ones to create with tools and accessories for inspiring, making and organizing art at home
I'm a writer who ended up making lots and lots of cookies. I was a cookie decorator at a shop for almost ten years. I published a cookbook on cookie decorating in 2007, "Cookie Sensations." My second cookbook, "Sugarlicious," was published in early 2012 and is all about decorated cookies, cupcakes, marshmallows, and other crafty sweets, much like I offer on my blog, "the decorated cookie." http://www.thedecoratedcookie.com
I'm also the Edible Crafts editor at http://www.ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com. I have an MFA in Literature and an MA in Liberal Arts.
I live in Washington, DC with my husband, two daughters and three cats, and we're slowly fixing up our 85-year-old house.
I'm a writer who ended up making lots and lots of cookies. I was a cookie... More »
I'm on a constant mission to organize, tidy and contain. I can't claim success often, however, as living with children seems inherently disorganized, untidy and not contained. My latest project is to create the world's most perfect art center for my almost-5-year-old daughter. I'll even give up the "most perfect" part to just have an area where she can do what she loves — create — and I don't have to step on scattered paper scraps, pipe cleaners, crayons and pencil shavings, especially because this art center is tucked in the corner of the living room for all to see.
This is a collection of organizational and inspirational tools for my daughter's art center — though, as the space is her very own, she'll have to give final approval, of course. — Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie
This is a collection of organizational and inspirational tools for my daughter's art center — though, as the space is her very own, she'll have to give final approval, of course. — Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie
by The Land of Nod
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Here are some cute clips to go with the curtain wires.
by The Land of Nod
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This may have to be my first purchase to organize all those crayons and markers and scissors, oh my.
by Layla Grayce
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I think these could maybe be the place for my daughter to take notes and plan out her masterpieces. Or they can just be some place to scribble scrabble on the walls unimpeded by things such as scoldings.
I adore these animal-themed fabric bins. They would be great to store paper and craft projects, or they could be used as paper recycling bins.
by The Land of Nod
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I would love a different color bucket for everything: pencils, scraps, crafts, fabric, pipe cleaners. Although with my daughter's extensive art supplies, I'd end up with enough buckets to fill the whole room.
This clever table has a chalkboard top that flips over to a more traditional table surface. Plus, it has a bonus storage area under the secret panel.
This was a purchase, along with the accompanying roll of paper, I made before my daughter could hold a crayon. It's worth every penny — and beyond. She and I use this not only for large-scale drawing, but also for covering surfaces for other art projects.
On my to-do list is finding a cute and clever way to display my prolific artist's work — but not permanently, given said prolific nature. I'm thinking these curtain wires with clips will do the trick.
These are for just in case the kids need a bit of letter guidance when writing in their journals.
This is meant for utensils, but it could also be used to divide art supplies. Bonus: It's colorful and inexpensive.
This site is filled to the brim with ecofriendly art, craft and school supplies for children. Pencils, markers, projects, stickers, clay — you name it, they have it.
by Fat Brain Toys
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This kit has everything they need, and then some: colored pencils, markers, crayons, watercolors, an eraser, a sharpener and even pastels.
by Fred Flare
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Do you want to know what this strange contraption is? It's a staple-free stapler. Finally, a safe stapler for kids! No more holes through the fingers.
by MoMA Store
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Leave it to MoMA to make sure the arts are covered for kids. This sketch and activity book guides kids in recreating works of the masters. I'd have loved this myself as a kid. Heck, I'd still love it.
This book is on my to-buy list. The writer's blog, Make and Takes, is filled with kid-friendly activities, and this book would give my daughter and me reason to make great use of an art center.
Sigh, I love Ed Emberley! I had an early version of this book back in the '80s — no, probably the '70s? I remember painstakingly copying each step to learn how to draw. My mom recently found my copy buried deep in a closet.
I have this easel. It is by far the absolute best purchase, given how inexpensive it is.
You can also fancy things up a bit more with this chalkboard easel. It also comes in a white, scalloped frame.
I discovered these rugs only by searching for washable carpets that might work under an art center. These are Pappelinas, plastic carpets from Sweden. Washable and well priced, they come in a variety of sizes and a whole bunch of cool designs and colors.
This simple and pretty bucket would go seamlessly with the surrounding living room decor. If only they made one for recyclables too.
More:
How to Carve Out a Nook for Play
Homeschooling Spaces Make the Honor Roll
More:
How to Carve Out a Nook for Play
Homeschooling Spaces Make the Honor Roll
Comments
olldbobbi Meaghan, what a wonderful Mom you are to nurture and encourage your daughters creative side. Maybe one day she'll be writing Ideabooks for Houzz! And I love the elephant canvas bin, I can see one in a kids bathroom holding rolled towels or even wet ones (temporarily, of course)! Great job.
11 months ago · Like
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Deanne It is hard to contain all the bits and pieces for a creative child- I have the same issues! You have presented some great ideas!
11 months ago · Like
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lisalakesf Great ideas! Love the canvas basket.
11 months ago · Like
Casart Coverings There's nothing better than providing lots of opportunities for children to express their creativity. All 3 partners of Casart are moms and so we addressed this with Casart Creative. It can be applied to a wall space and children can draw their own inspirations with erasable markers that can be wiped off when ready to start a new image. What's more, you can move it and remove it and reuse it. It's a great activity for a birthday party. Cut an 8" x 11" piece, apply directly over the glass of a simpe picture frame, give to each child along with washable markers, and each Picasso can take home their art to show to mom and dad. 
11 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on Aug. 1, 2012.
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