12 Organizing Tips for Kids Crafts
As a professional organizer, I know the importance of not only encouraging creativity but also of keeping the chaos at bay during and after crafting sessions. Here are some essential tips for keeping your space organized and your mind at ease.
1. Start with a Purge
Before you dive into organizing, sort through all the craft supplies. Discard dried-up markers, half-used stickers, and scraps of paper that are too small to be useful. This decluttering process makes organizing easier and ensures that your children have access to materials that inspire rather than frustrate them.
2. Categorize Supplies
Divide supplies into categories such as drawing materials, papers, adhesives, textiles, and embellishments. Categorizing helps in creating a system where everything has its place, making it easier for kids to find what they need and put it back after use.
3. Use Clear Storage Solutions
Opt for clear, stackable storage containers of various sizes. Being able to see what's inside the box without opening it can save time and prevent the mess that comes from searching through multiple containers. Smaller containers are great for beads, sequins, and googly eyes, while larger bins can hold paper, yarn and fabric.
4. Create a Dedicated Crafting Space
If space allows, set up a dedicated crafting area where supplies are accessible and creativity can be contained. This could be a corner of a room with a table and storage, or even a portable cart that can be moved as needed. Having a specific spot for crafting teaches children to associate this space with creativity and helps confine the mess.
Choose a space in your home where messes are okay and easy to clean up. Keep old newspapers or an old tablecloth handy to catch spills and glue drips.
5. Implement Vertical Storage
Don’t forget to look up for storage solutions! Wall-mounted shelves, hanging organizers, pegboards, and magnetic boards can be excellent for storing scissors, tapes, ribbons, and other tools. This not only saves valuable desk or floor space but also keeps dangerous tools out of younger children’s reach.
6. Create a Mobile Craft Station
One craft organizing tip that can make a big difference is incorporating a portable craft caddy into your organization system.
A craft caddy, equipped with compartments and handles, can be an invaluable tool for keeping frequently used items like scissors, glue, markers, and crayons easily accessible and mobile. This is especially useful for households where crafting doesn't happen in a fixed location.
It allows you and your children to move your crafting supplies to different areas of your home with ease, whether you're crafting at the kitchen table one day or outside on the patio the next.
7. Label Everything
Even with clear containers, labels are crucial. They not only help children find what they’re looking for but also guide them on where to put things back. For younger children who can’t yet read, use picture labels or color-coding.
8. Involve Your Kids in the Organizing Process
Make organizing a fun activity that you do with your children.
This not only helps them understand where everything goes but also teaches them the importance of keeping their crafting area tidy.
Children are more likely to follow an organizing system they helped create.
9. Maintain the System
Organizing isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing process. Regularly review and adjust your organization system to fit your growing needs. Encourage kids to clean up after each crafting session, reinforcing the habit of maintaining an organized space.
10. Create an "Ongoing Projects" Area
Dedicate a Space: Have a designated “work-in-progress” area where projects can be safely stored until the next crafting session. This keeps unfinished projects organized and accessible, without cluttering your crafting space
11. Proudly Display and Preserve
Finally, have a designated area where your children can display their artwork. Whether it’s a bulletin board, a magnetic wall, or a simple string with clips, showing off their creations can be incredibly rewarding and motivate them to keep crafting.
For long-term storage, consider using a portfolio or a large container to keep artwork safe and organized.
Better yet use Keepy. an app specifically designed to save kids’ artwork, schoolwork, mementos and loads more!
12. Craft Supply Swap Station
A unique and socially engaging tip for organizing and refreshing your craft supplies is to create a "Craft Supply Swap Station."
This concept involves setting up a small area in your home, community center, or school where kids and parents can bring in craft supplies they no longer need or want and swap them for something else. This can be especially fun to organize around National Children's Craft Day or as a regular event in your community.
Organizing kids' craft supplies doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these strategies, you can create an organized space that nurtures creativity and minimizes mess, making crafting enjoyable and run for everyone involved.
Happy Crafting!
If you liked this blog check out The Secret to Purging Kids Stuffies
