Mamaw's Favorite Supplies for Gifts and Everyday Staples
Updated: Oct 9
A good activity supply stash does not need to be huge. It needs to be useful.
The best kids’ supplies are the ones you reach for again and again. A pack of craft sticks can become a counting game, a puppet handle, a fence for a farm scene, or the start of a homemade puzzle. Washable paint can turn into process art, handprint keepsakes, color mixing, or a rainy day invitation at the kitchen table.
That is the heart behind Mamaw’s Favorite Supplies page. These are not one-time novelty items that sit in a closet. They are everyday staples for simple, playful learning. They can support art, fine motor practice, sensory play, pretend play, holiday crafts, early math, early literacy, and sweet little keepsakes families love to save.
Why a small supply stash makes activities easier
The hardest part of doing activities with kids is often not the activity itself. It is gathering everything.
When supplies are scattered, empty, dried out, or too complicated, even a five-minute activity can feel like a chore. A dependable stash changes that. When you know you have paper, glue, crayons, paint, sensory tools, stickers, and a few hands-on materials ready to go, it becomes much easier to say yes to play.
Mamaw has two favorite storage ideas. Both are transparent, so you can quickly see what is inside, and both are waterproof, so they can go outside and don't mind spills. One has a handle, and my grandson loves to pack them with his favorite things and carry them around. The other is more of a large pencil case and they come in packs of 24, so you can get super organized with smaller items, or make each one activity specific, so you can just grab a few for your Mamaw bag on the way out the door.
Supplies that can be used over and over
Some kid supplies look exciting but only do one job. The best staples can be used in many ways, with many ages, and for many different kinds of play. Here are the kinds of supplies worth keeping close.
Paper products for nearly every activity
Paper is the base for so many kids’ activities. Construction paper, tracing paper and printer paper, can be used in so many different ways, so if space is limited, keep these on hand first. If you want to save on paper and ink costs, laminating is key. It allows you to use the same printables over and over with dry erase markers. Mamaw uses this laminator because it is super simple. It is compatible with these pouches. There are a lot of free activity printables on this website, so download away! Also, rolls of Craft or Butcher paper are a must. Kids love the giant canvas they create and parents/grandparents love the easy clean-up they provide.
Don't forget the scissors to cut out all the things! You'll find several scissor practice printables here.
Coloring and painting supplies for open-ended creativity
Crayons, washable markers and dot markers are all wonderful staples. Each one gives kids a different experience. Crayons build hand strength. Markers glide easily and help with bold drawing. Dot markers are great for younger children because they are simple to use and bulkier for little hands to manipulate. And washable dry erase markers are perfect for all of the laminated printables.
Glue, tape, and sticky things for building and creating
Glue sticks, liquid glue, painter’s tape, clear tape and stickers all invite kids to build and arrange.
Glue sticks are tidy and easy for simple paper crafts. Liquid glue is better for pom-poms, buttons, craft sticks, and heavier materials. Painter’s tape is one of those supplies that does much more than people expect. It can make roads on the floor, letter shapes on the wall, obstacle courses, sorting lines, and simple games.
Stickers are more than decoration. Peeling stickers works tiny finger muscles, supports hand-eye coordination, and keeps busy hands engaged. Use them for counting, patterns, matching games, sticker stories, or reward-free creative play. Dot stickers are the best for color recognition activities! Check out the free dot activities here.
Loose parts for counting, sorting, and pretend play
Loose parts are especially nice because there is no single “right” way to use them. Kids can count, create, sort, stack, pretend, and experiment.
Pom-poms, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, large foam dice, transparent letters & numbers, and small manipulatives can be used in dozens of ways.
Pom-poms can become pretend ice cream scoops, caterpillar bodies, counting pieces, color sorting items, ornaments, flower centers, or sensory bin fillers. Craft sticks can become puppets, bridges, fences, picture frames, number lines, and simple building materials. Pipe cleaners can be twisted into letters, animals, bracelets, flowers, or bubble wands. Large foam dice are a must-have for math and game activities. They are easier for little hands to use and quieter than standard dice, so great to take along on a plane, to a restaurant or in a classroom.
Play dough is also a staple all by itself. Pair it with rolling pins, cookie cutters, craft sticks, buttons, googly eyes, or toy animals. Kids can make faces, letters, pizzas, snowmen, snakes, shapes, and birthday cakes. You don't have to buy the big toys that go with Play Doh. There are plenty of printables on this website to spark the imagination.
For younger kiddos, choose larger pieces and supervise closely. Anything small enough to fit in a child’s mouth needs extra care around babies and toddlers.
Some miscellaneous items that get used over & over
Kid-friendly timers are great because they can turn any chore or activity into a challenging game. This timer has a fun countdown feature that little people can understand.
If you haven't heard of Wikki Stix, you are missing out. These waxy sticks are perfect for keeping wiggly kiddos sitting at restaurants! Actually, that is how mamaw learned about them. A restaurant she visited with her grandson gave him a mini pack instead of the typical crayons, and he was engaged for an unusally long period (in toddler time). These mini packs are also great for classroom gifts, favor bags and even Halloween treats.
Ball pit balls are another item that we use a lot. You don't need enough to actually fill a pit - one pack is more than enough for a lot of toddler activities, involving color recognition and motor skills.
One last favorite is a large silicon arts & crafts mat. It makes clean up SO much easier.
How to turn favorite supplies into thoughtful gifts
A collection of Mamaw's favorite supplies also makes a practical gift. New parents receive plenty of baby items, but it can be helpful to give supplies that grow with the child. New parents are also tired. A few ready-to-use ideas make the gift feel even more thoughtful - especially if they have another child in the house. Get a cute gift basket, or better yet, a divided craft storage bin, add some tissue paper and you will have a perfect way to promote creativity and family time.
This would also be great for teachers, babysitters, or families who love hands-on play. Don't forget to add a card that links to Mamaw's website, so they can check out all the ways to use their gift!
And, these supplies are always great for stuffing stockings and filling Easter baskets!
Don't forget grandparents!
Grandparents often want activities ready for visits, but don't know where to start because it has been a while since they've needed them. A “Grandma and Me” basket would make it easy to have supplies ready at their house. Although, this Mamaw is more partial to a Mamaw's Bag that she can grab when she goes to visit or babysit. After all, that is the inspiration behind MamawsBag.com. ;)
This kind of basket (with a note about Mamaw's website) says, “You do not have to plan. You are ready to play and make memories.”
Keep the staples, skip the clutter
Mamaw’s Favorite Supplies page is meant to make activity planning feel lighter. The right supplies can help you say yes to creativity more often, prepare thoughtful gifts, and spark fresh ideas when the day needs a little something special.
You do not have to buy everything at once. Start with the basics. Add what fits your space, your budget, and the ages of the children in your life. Over time, you will learn which supplies your kiddos reach for most.
A few well-loved staples can turn an ordinary afternoon into painting, building, sorting, pretending, gifting, and memory-making. That is why they are favorites.
Amazon Associate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made directly through my links. This does not add any extra cost for you. It helps pay for website expenses and the time I spend developing, testing, writing, and posting new activities for you and your kiddos.
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