Every good craftsman needs a tool set and your young artists are no different. Whether it is large or small, a dedicated space for art tools and supplies will benefit both the children creating art and the adults guiding them. Your particular setting will dictate the size and location of your own art box. In your home, you may choose a literal box. If you work with a larger group, you may have an entire cabinet full of supplies.
With very young children, the supplies will be placed out of reach so that an adult can supervise their use. With older children, a set of supplies can be kept handy for them to use when the muse strikes. In this case, part of the independent use of the supplies will be the responsibility of cleaning up and putting them away when finished.
How should you stock your art box? You can manage to do this inexpensively, especially if you do so over time as you come across items that will be useful. Begin with medium quality items so that you can afford a variety while still providing your artist items that will work properly. Start with a few things and add more as you find them. Look for sales when you are out shopping, and even look at yard sales to stock your box.
Some necessities are tempera and watercolor paints and a few brushes, markers, crayons, scissors, plain paper and construction paper, tape and glue. After these, begin to collect a variety of tools like chalks and oil pastels, glitter glue, colored pencils, and all sizes and colors of paper.
As opportunity arises, stock your art box with items that can spark creativity or be used in crafts. Some things you can buy new and many you can collect or recycle. Your box will grow and change as your children do and as you find supplies.
Here is a short list of additional craft supplies to get you started but the options are nearly endless.