Illustrated craft supply list pastel colors, yarn, felt, paints

The Screen-Free Craft Starter List

A free guide for families who want a simple, calm starting point for screen-free craft time.

This is a small starter list you can keep handy. Save it, print it, or screenshot the parts you need.

10 Supplies to Keep at Home

With these basics in a cabinet, almost any rainy afternoon turns into a real project.

  1. Colored paper or cardstock
  2. Watercolor paper
  3. Washable kids paint and brushes
  4. A watercolor set
  5. Glue sticks and clear tape
  6. Safe scissors (blunt for younger kids, sharp for older)
  7. Craft felt in several colors
  8. Yarn or chunky cord
  9. Wooden beads or a small bead assortment
  10. Air-dry clay

5 Rainy-Day Crafts

  • Paper garland — cut shapes, string them up
  • Air-dry clay trinket bowls — drape clay over an upside-down bowl
  • Nature printmaking — leaves dipped in paint, pressed onto paper
  • Felt story pieces — cut shapes, arrange into scenes
  • Handmade cards — fold paper, decorate, write a note

Full directions for all five: Screen-Free Craft Ideas for Rainy Days.

5 Low-Mess Crafts

  • Paper weaving and collage
  • Sticker mosaics
  • Felt boards and felt story pieces
  • Paint-with-water books
  • Bead and yarn jewelry

For low-mess kit picks: Best Low-Mess Craft Kits.

3 Age-Based Project Ideas

Ages 3-5

Paint-with-water books or a paper collage with pre-cut shapes. Short, sensory, and impossible to mess up.

Ages 6-8

A small felt sewing kit or weaving loom. Builds a real skill, produces a real result, and holds attention for a full afternoon.

Ages 9-12

An embroidery hoop kit or a beginner woodworking project. Real materials, display-worthy results.

More by age: Crafts by Age.

Quick Cleanup Checklist

  • Put down a craft mat, old tablecloth, or newspaper before starting
  • Keep a small bin or basket for scraps within reach
  • Hand each child a damp washcloth at the end
  • Store paint, glue, and scissors in one bin so cleanup is one motion
  • Save the finished pieces somewhere visible — kids work harder when they see their work

Keep Going

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