Creative Fun for Little Ones
The Best Supplies to Have on Hand
How Mamaw selects each supply: I look for items that spark imagination, withstand heavy play, can be used in multiple activities, and most importantly, bring a smile to my grandsons' faces every single time.
Mamaw’s Favorite Supplies
Choosing the right supplies is about more than just utility; it's about finding tools that spark joy and creativity. All of the items below are used across multiple activities on this website, so having them on-hand will help you put together a play-plan quickly for those last minute babysitting gigs or surprise visits. For younger kiddos, be sure to choose larger pieces and supervise closely. Anything small enough to fit in a child’s mouth needs extra care around babies and toddlers.
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Looking for a great gift idea for new parents or grandparents? Think about creating a basket with some of the supplies below so fun activities are ready to go! You can find a free printable here with some gift cards and a reminder card with a link to this website, so they have plenty of ideas how to use them. Â
Scissors for Children
Scissor Skills are so important. Here is a link to my blog on how to teach them safely. Both options below work well with little hands.
These are perfect with dot printables & coloring books, when you don't want to deal with marker messes. There are so many color recognition activities to do with these! There are also some free printables here.
Wikki Sticks
We discovered these waxy sticks when a restaurant we visited gave a mini pack to my grandson instead of the usual crayons. He was fascinated with manipulating them and sat still for a long while (in toddler time). Of course I had to purchase some for my on-the-go bag and come up with activities for them, which are on this website The mini packs also make great fillers for party favor bags or classroom treats.
Stencils are great for developing two-handed motor skills. Kiddos also learn patience as they master it. It may frustrate them at first, but when they start seeing the cool things they can create, it is very exciting for them. Use them with markers/paint and paper, or take them outside for use with sidewalk chalk or just paint brushes and water.
Stencils
Balance Scale
This is a real hit with my grandson. He is very 'hands-on', so collecting & comparing all types of objects to see which is is heavier keeps him entertained for quite a while. You can find a free printable to record comparisons here.
Let's face it. With toddlers & preschoolers, it's all about the snacks. Here are a few of mamaw's favorite fun treat containers: