Making an Art Center (Things to keep on hand)

The Purpose of an Art Center is...
~ to expose children to a variety of mediums in different ways
~ to encourage individual expression and creativity
~ to help with fine motor and visual perception skills
~ to develop a personal sense of accomplishment

Objects to keep on hand for ART:
~ an easel (tabletop or free standing)
~ a drying rack or place to lay papers to dry
~ an art table or place where your child can color or do art at anytime
~ a place to display artwork (refrigerators are great for this. It is best to display artwork at the child's level.)
~ old t-shirts or smocks because Art was made to be messy at times.

materials to use for painting:
cut up sponges, brushes, rollers, golf balls, feathers, cotton swabs,

various types of paper to work with:
newspaper, construction paper, watercolor paper, regular copy paper, card stock,

drawing instruments:
pens, markers, pencils, chalk, crayons, pastels

clay and play dough with accessories
(cookie cutters, dull plastic knives etc.)

for gluing or taping together:
tape, paste and glue

craft materials:
pipe cleaners, wallpaper books, magazines, scraps, cotton balls, Popsicle sticks, sponges, old measuring cups, spoons, other utensils
yarn, string, rope and ribbon, cellophane and various tissue paper

to make colors and patterns:
rubber stamps and stamp pads

Miscellaneous items:
sea shells, rubber bands, milk tops, beans, styrofoam etc.

If you have any ideas you'd like to share and add, please post them in your reply. Thanks in advance!