What to do with all those crafty 'things'?

Dedicate one cupboard in the house, preferably near a table and call it the 'craft cupboard'. Make it easily accessible for the children so they can help themselves. Keep sharp things and paint out of reach in a separate place. Fill the cupboard with age appropriate stimulating crafty things. Colouring books, a ready supply of blank paper, sparkly shapes, stickers, glue stick, plastic boxes or shoe boxes full of old birthday cards, images cut out of magazines and colouring pens. Use interesting plastic jars for beads and ribbon. We store sewing, knitting and weaving kits in the craft cupboard too. Get them involved in packing things away into the craft cupboard after the activity (good luck with this one!) Periodically have a craft cupboard clear out and reorganise so things are easy to access. Try and keep seasonal items like Christmas glitter or Halloween stickers in a separate location and pop them in the cupboard as a surprise for the children to find.

I always smile when I see them excitedly delving in and helping themselves to the craft goodies. It's nice to know they have some creative freedom plus they can independently set themselves up with an activity without having to nag at me to provide the in-house entertainment!