Top 10 Materials to Have on Hand for Toddler Activities

Here's a list of the top ten materials you should always keep in your toddler's activities box.

Crayons: Remove the labels from crayons when possible. For the younger child, fatter crayons work best.
Construction paper: Construction paper is very versatile. Be sure to keep a wide variety of colors on hand.
Poster board: Use poster board when you need a stronger, more durable paper.
White craft glue: You can also use rubber cement or school paste for most projects. Choose what works best for you and your child.
Old magazines: Old magazines are a wonderful source for collage and activity pictures. Nature and home-living magazines are the best for this.
Scissors: In addition to adult scissors for you, purchase a pair of safety scissors for your child. If you wish, you can also find beginners' guiding scissors and fancy-edged scissors at school supply stores.
Felt-tip markers: Markers are useful for adding small details to projects. Washable markers are available.
Food coloring: This is handy for coloring homemade dough and various other craft materials. Please note: It does stain.
Recycled household materials: You can reuse materials such as egg cartons, yarn scraps, toilet paper tubes, and boxes for many activities.
Tempera paint: Tempera paint is an easy paint for your child to work with. It has a nice smooth texture and comes in many colors.

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