Top Craft Supplies and brands I can’t live without
One of the questions I get asked the most is: “What craft supplies do you use and recommend?”. The truth is, I keep it simple. I love using affordable, easy-to-find materials that make crafting fun and accessible for everyone. In this post, I’ll share my all-time favorite products, go-to stores, and tips on how to gather free crafting supplies from nature and around the house. Because great crafts don’t have to cost a fortune!
My Top Must-Have Craft Supplies
1. Acrylic Paint
The #1 question I get: “What paint do you use?” And honestly, using the right paint makes all the difference.
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Hand Made Modern (available at Target/Walmart): affordable, great coverage, and the colors are beautiful.
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Amsterdam Acrylics: amazing quality. I love the 120 ml tubes, but if you’re just starting, try the smaller 20 ml set to test out different shades.
For toddlers, I recommend Crayola Washable Kids Paint. It’s safe, non-toxic, and easy to clean, though not the best for coverage. For kids 6+, you can move on to acrylic paint with proper supervision and a smock.
Pro tip: Use an old sponge (cut into small pieces) for dabbing paint, great for little hands and easy cleanup!
2. POSCA Paint Markers
I tried so many paint markers before I discovered POSCA and now I’m hooked. They’re amazing for drawing on wood, plastic, glass, shells, metal, and more. They layer beautifully over acrylic paint too. I love the fine and extra-fine tips for adding details like butterfly wings.
Not recommended for toddlers, but perfect for older kids and grown-up crafting.
3. Watercolors
Watercolor is one of the most approachable art mediums. It’s bright, fun, and great for soft transitions in color. I prefer watercolor pan sets over tubes, less mess, easy storage, and minimal waste. Perfect for kids!
Watercolor artworks also make a great base for a craft project!
4. Cardstock
Colored cardstock is a game-changer when crafting with kids. It’s sturdier than regular paper, so it won’t wrinkle easily making the final result cleaner and easier to store. I love brown kraft paper as a base and white cardstock for stamping activities.
5. Googly Eyes
If there’s one supply that brings every craft to life, it’s googly eyes. Available in every size and color, they instantly add personality and fun. An absolute must-have in your craft drawer.
6. Wooden Spoons
Spoon puppets are one of my favorite crafts! You can turn them into animals, characters, or anything you imagine. Besides being fun to make, puppets support creativity, fine motor skills, language development, and emotional expression.
I always keep small bamboo spoons and large wooden spoons or spatula on hand, both work great and the results are always adorable!
7. Glue Gun
I use my glue gun almost daily. It works on nearly anything: wood, fabric, shells, pipe cleaners, plastic, and more. Just make sure to supervise kids closely and use the correct glue stick size. A small glue gun is usually more than enough for home crafting.
Where I Shop for Craft Supplies
For most supplies, you don’t need fancy or expensive brands. I often shop at:
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In the US: Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, Ross
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In Europe: Action, HEMA, Søstrene Grene, Flying Tiger
Things I often grab from these stores: pom-poms, felt, pipe cleaners, buttons, beads, paper straws, cupcake liners, coffee filters, wooden spoons, tissue paper, popsicle sticks, etc.
Other Budget-Friendly Craft Sources
Thrift Stores
I love checking out the thrift store for craft supplies, especially yarn which can be expensive elsewhere. You can often find big bundles of yarn, buttons, beads, or ribbon for just a dollar or two.
Recycled Craft Supplies and Materials
You don’t need to buy everything new. One of my favorite ways to collect supplies is by reusing everyday materials. I keep a “craft recycle box” next to our recycling bin full of:
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Paper rolls
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Cardboard
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Egg cartons
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Small boxes
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Jars and lids
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Newspapers
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Matchboxes
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Bottle caps
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Cork
… and more!
These are fantastic free resources for crafting with kids.
Natural Craft Materials
Nature is a treasure chest of free craft materials. I love collecting things like:
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Leaves
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Pinecones
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Acorns
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Sticks
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Chestnuts
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Flowers
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Rocks
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Shells
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Sand
I keep a storage bin in the garage so they’re always ready to use.
Final Thoughts
You definitely don’t need to collect everything on this list to get started. Begin with a few basics, like googly eyes, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, colored and white cardstock, and paint then build your supply stash from there.
And don’t forget: the best craft supplies are often found outside or in the recycling bin.
Happy crafting!
