One thing is for certain, allowing our children to explore their creativity can be one of the greatest gifts we can give them. One thing that isn’t so certain is that we all have a space in our homes where our kids can create freely without worry of making a mess. That’s why we reached out to crafting experts from Miami to Sacramento to provide a few creative ideas for kiddos’ crafting spaces. So, sit back and learn how you can create the ultimate crafting space for your child to explore their imagination.
Don’t underestimate the power of a designated creative space
The power of having a designated creative space cannot be overstated. For me and my family, designating a work table where all creative projects take place is a game-changer. Why? If kids only associate fun and creativity in a certain workspace, it becomes like a creative battery. Fun vibes and ideas get stored there, literally. We do not do ‘boring’ stuff like homework in our children’s workspace, this is also important because we don’t have to clean-up after each session. Keeping projects intact also allows for our kids to dive deeper into their creativity by working on projects for several days. As for decor? What inspires your children? If your child can daydream and stare at his favorite Star Wars poster, he may figure out how to build a spaceship. Ya never know. – Red Wizard Collage
Make it inviting and interactive
Use found items around your house and affordable storage options from places like IKEA. For example, on the wall in our kids’ creative space we have upcycled and chalk-painted old pieces of wooden pegboards that my husband has framed out with trim. We hang colorful fabric buckets from IKEA and plastic baskets full of bean bags, toys, finger puppets and craft supplies on hooks where our kids can see them and get them on their own. The key is to have an inviting and colorful display that entices the kids to use the supplies. – Daydreams of Quilts
Set aside space to put a “mystery craft box” that is large enough to add a few craft supplies, tools, and other fun materials. Regularly place a random combination of 2-4 items that will serve as prompts for the child to work with for that day. This will encourage creative exploration and broadly expose kids to using different materials and practicing new techniques. Not only will this challenge their minds creatively, but kids love surprises! – The Curiously Creative
Keep it light
Creating a space where kids and their grandparents can create memories and crafts together is important. Having light is key when painting, knitting, or creating suncatchers. If your unused space is near a window, try adding solar string lights to make the area feel warm and bright. – Find Continuing Care
Get them involved
Having a cubed bookshelf with a large pillow or bean bag in the corner makes for a cozy, resting spot for kids. I also recommend having a child-size table in the space where the child can draw, color or create with modeling clay and the likes, depending on the age of the child. I like to use old coffee cans and have the kids help with decorating them for storage bins for pens, pencils, markers, scissors and other supplies. I also use trays where I place different colors of paper for artwork. When designing a space for children to be creative, I like to keep it simple. Keeping it simple makes for easy clean-up while allowing for maximum creativity. If you get the child/children involved with decorating their own space, the more likely they are to want to be there. – The Crafty Author
Create an organized workspace
Spending so much time being homebound has given us the opportunity to think differently about the ways we utilize the spaces within our homes. Constructing a creative space for your kids & family is a great project to jump into right now. This endeavor doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are a couple of key elements to keep in mind as you begin the process. First, there must be a dedicated work surface with ample seating. Secondly, being able to organize your supplies is also important. This will not only keep things tidy, but it will also enable everyone to easily find their supplies. Making sure that everything has a home will allow everyone to spend time doing something fun, rather than feel defeated by the need to clean up, or spend time searching for supplies. I think you’ll find that your efforts encourage your kids to put down their devices and let their imaginations run wild. – Hip Kit Club
First, keeping art supplies neat and accessible is key. A crafting lazy susan helps keep everything in arms reach. Not only does it make an organized creative learning space, but also keeps materials in one place. Second, make sure there is good lighting in the area. Learning can diminish if the budding artist can’t see the differences in color, shadow, and light. – Christy Stallop
Transform your walls into a canvas
Budding artists love large canvases so why not make your walls into a drawing or painting surface? You can use rolls of butcher paper, adhesive chalkboard or whiteboard, or a plain white wallpaper. Your kids will love having permission to paint on the wall! You can even include open empty frames for instant framed art. – The Organised Crafter Brain
Paint a section of wall and floorboards in blackboard paint to encourage children to express themselves however they like! When they are done they can just wipe it clean and begin again! We like the idea of the floorboards as it recreates drawing on the footpath with chalk from our own childhoods! It also encourages them to contain the writing on walls to one section of the house! – Vibes and Scribes
Organization and storage is key
Cube storage shelves are my top pick when it comes to creating a fun crafting space because they are so versatile, durable and affordable. They can be set on floors, mounted to walls and even used for creating work surfaces and structures. Open cubes keep your crafting supplies visible so that kids are always inspired, but bins or baskets can be added to hide the miscellaneous clutter. We use them in our crafting and sewing rooms all the time, and they make it so easy to transform a small room into a cozy, kid-friendly crafting space. – Olga’s Closet
Enclosed, but easily accessible storage space is great for keeping lots of varied craft supplies on hand. We use a tall and wide large shelf unit with individual baskets that fit into each square cubby hole and pull out like drawers. Within the baskets are smaller boxes and lots of labeled Ziploc bags that organize the smaller items. The whole unit is an arm’s reach away from the big table that we use for all sorts of crafting activities. – Sweater Babe
Provide the appropriate supplies
For young children just starting to sew, a great “kit” for them is to get 1/2 yard of burlap, a 6″ embroidery hoop, a large plastic needle or metal needle with a blunt end and a very large eye and some different colors of yarn. Then let them stitch their own designs on the burlap. For older children, have a box of supplies. My daughter was always combing through my fabric scraps, embroidery threads and yarn to come up with her own designs for her stuffed animals, or her own collages. Some suggested supplies: various colors of merino wool felt squares, wool or cotton yarns of various colors, scraps of fabrics of various colors and types, embroidery threads, and several yards of different colors of ribbons. With a needle and thread and some scissors, all manner of fiber art can result. – Esther’s Fabrics
Take it outside
Sometimes outdoor spaces (a porch, a shady tree) can be the most fun and you won’t have to worry about mess so much. Set up a picnic or folding table, cover with plastic taped tightly around the top. Add some waterproof bins underneath for the art supplies of the moment (they can change with seasons, ages and interests). A roll of paper you can bring out is good to have stored inside. Also, consider a 50-pound bag of ceramic clay for older kids. Old kitchen tools make it the perfect 3-D creative workout. TO make it easier to use, put a canvas drop cloth on top of the table. – Susie Monday
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