7 Craft Essentials That Every Mom Needs

One of my main goals for Crayons and Spice is to help parents see that making things for their kid doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. You don’t need a lot of tools and supplies. These 7 craft essentials are almost everything you need to make most of the “create for child” crafts on this blog. I ordered my list by how often I use them, starting with the item I use the least often. 

7 Craft Essentials That Every Mom Needs

1. Sewing Machine

A sewing machine is really helpful to have on hand. I don’t use mine very often, but when I do it is so helpful. Lately, I have used it mostly to make accessories for my toddler’s lovey. Learning the basics of using a sewing machine isn’t very hard and these basic skills can be used for a lot. These crafts use only basic sewing knowledge: lovey backpack, lovey sleep sack, and crinkly fabric square.

2. Fabric

I obviously use fabric every time I use my sewing machine, but there are other times I use it as well. While the sewing machine is the most expensive item on this list, fabric can be the cheapest if you follow my tips for finding it free or cheap. Fabric comes in all sorts of colors, patterns, and textures making everything you make from it uniquely yours. Besides all the sewing machine crafts above, I also used fabric to make a lovey car bed. 

3. Acrylic Paint

Paint is a great way to make crafts look finished and nice. I probably use paint more for crafts with my kids than for them, but I still use it a lot. I have a small bottle of a variety of colors, so I almost always have the color I need. It is great for decorations like this wall mural and these name letters.

4. Foam Sheets

Foam sheets are another craft supply that is good for both crafts for and with kids. It comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses. It bends, but is somewhat sturdy making it great for a variety of crafts. Unlike paper, it can go in water making it perfect for making bath toys. I have used it to make a lovey car bed and a toy fishing net. 

5. Laminator

I just got my laminator this summer and I have used it so much since then. Every time I make anything out of paper that I want to last more than 30 seconds in the hands of my destructo-tot, I laminate it. My laminator isn’t very big, so it stores easily. It also heats up quickly making it quick to laminate what I need. My lovey paper dolls, portable mailbox, and wipe lid family pictures all use a laminator.

6. Hot Glue

I originally had hot glue as my most used item, but as I started adding crafts to each section, I realized there is one item that I use more. I do still use hot glue a whole lot though. Hot glue works on almost everything and is so much faster and stronger than white glue. The only downside is having to keep it far away from my kids since it is dangerous. I have used it in so many crafts including my toy fishing net, wipe lid family pictures, and lovey car bed. I have also used it to start or finish some crafts that my daughter has made like her bubble wrap octopuses and bird feeder.

7. Cardstock

And my most used item is…Cardstock! I use cardstock way more than I use regular printer paper. Just like with the laminator, it makes whatever I am making sturdier. A lot of the time I still laminate my cardstock, but there are times I use it on its own. I used white cardstock to make sewing patterns for my lovey backpack, lovey sleep sack, and crinkly fabric square. For projects including my wipe family pictures I printed onto it. I used colored cardstock on my vacation sticker chart, lovey paper dolls, portable mailbox, and toddler notebook.

I hope this helps you know what craft supplies you truly need for making things for your child. Comment below what items I missed that you use on a regular basis. If you find this helpful, check out craft essentials that a toddler needs.