Lego sets, wooden blocks, Magnatiles, action figures, doll accessories, trading cards, and, of course, craft supplies. Every evening, as I help my kids tidy up their daily chaos, I can count on finding these toys—and their tiny pieces—scattered everywhere, eagerly waiting for their owners to return and reclaim them.
Honestly, I can’t figure out why my kids refuse to play in a somewhat organized manner. It’s just the way it is. I don’t mind picking up after my little ones after a fun-filled day, but there’s one aspect of their playtime that consistently drives me a little bonkers: the craft supplies.
I genuinely love that my children enjoy being creative. I’d much rather see them at the kitchen table with crayons and paper than sprawled on the couch with an iPad. But after a decade of being a mom, I still haven’t found an effective way to manage the crafty mess. We live in a modest home without extra rooms or closets, so creating a Pinterest-worthy setup with matching baskets just isn’t feasible. We don’t have a dedicated craft room or playroom.
And let’s be honest—I’m not about to stash art supplies in my boys’ shared bedroom. My two-year-old and five-year-old would team up to redecorate their space regularly, and I simply don’t have the energy (or enough Magic Erasers) to handle that.
So here I am, left with piles of construction paper, crayons, markers, pencils, glitter, scissors, glue, coloring books, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, and every other little bit and piece that needs a home. I tried keeping everything in a plastic tote, but that turned into a disaster. My kids just tossed everything in there like it was a dumpster, and I found myself digging through it to reorganize every few seconds—no thanks.
At one point, I thought about slowly decluttering the craft supplies. I figured I could toss some stuff out until it was manageable. That idea backfired spectacularly. My oldest remembers every little thing, including the half-used pink crayon that was essential for drawing his favorite Pokémon, even if he can’t find his shoes without help.
And let’s face it—craft supplies multiply like rabbits. I swear they’re in the cabinet, making tiny colored pencil babies. Where does it all come from?
Currently, I’ve settled on keeping the craft supplies in a rolling cart in the laundry room, and it’s working out okay. Sure, I have to shove 4,000 Crayola markers aside every now and then before I can wash towels, but at least I have a place to hide it all when company comes over.
Older moms tell me I’ll miss this someday, so I’m trying to embrace the chaos of craft supplies. I’ve come to terms with the fact that while my kids are little, there will be popsicle birdhouses drying on my hutch, unfinished paintings on the table waiting for their creators, glitter everywhere, and a pile of coloring books and crayons on the coffee table. I remind myself that this “mess” is a sign my children are happy, loved, and enjoying life in our cozy home.
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Summary: Navigating the chaos of kids’ craft supplies can be overwhelming for parents. While it’s important to encourage creativity, finding effective ways to manage the mess is crucial. From rolling carts to embracing the clutter, every parent finds their own method. Amidst the chaos, it’s essential to remember that this mess signifies happiness and creativity in your little ones’ lives.
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