Summer is perfect for encouraging more creativity at home—school is out and there’s more free time on the calendar! When you want to limit screen-time, creating a dedicated art cart is the way to go.
Instead of digging through drawers for markers or searching the house for paper, when you have an art cart, your kids know exactly where to find supplies. Plus, having a designated creative space works to subtly encourage them to draw, paint, build, and experiment, all on their own. Just place it strategically and they can entertain themselves for hours.
Find an Affordable Cart
Your foundation for a solid art cart will be the cart itself. Having at least three levels of storage is helpful because then you can separate supplies by category, which makes cleanup easier.
Grabbing some clear bins and other small containers then lets you organize different materials on each shelf. Labeling sections is smart too. Even something as simple as “Drawing,” “Painting,” and “Craft Supplies” can help your kiddos find what exactly they need—and then put everything away when they’re done.
Also, think about rolling utility carts. These are great because they usually come with multiple shelves, and you’ll be able to move it from room to room. One day your child might want to work at the kitchen table, or maybe when the weather’s nice you’d rather have them outside enjoying the sun! Even if you keep the cart out in the playroom, having it be portable is nice for whenever you want to tuck it away in a closet for extra space.
Stock the Essentials First
You really only need a few basic supplies to build a mobile art station. It’s not about getting every art supply on the market. The goal is to have supplies that will grow with your child. When you focus on the essentials, they’ll end up with an inspiring assortment for dozens of creative projects over the summer. Start with drawing and coloring by including:
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Washable markers
- Pencils and erasers
- Sketch pads
- Construction paper
- White drawing paper
These core items give children what they need to practice drawing, doodling, coloring, and designing. You’ll limit the hassle of hunting down each supply individually by keeping them all on the same shelf. Then for painting activities, add:
- Watercolor paints
- Tempera paint cakes
- Paint palettes or paper plates
- Paintbrushes in different sizes
- Cups for water
- Plenty of paper towels
- Sturdy paper
Watercolors are nice and parent-friendly because they’re easy for kids to set up and clean. Tempera cakes work great because they still make vibrant colors.
Think About Open-Ended Creativity
One of the best parts of an art cart is giving kids opportunities to experiment. On that last shelf, consider tossing in some glue sticks, scissors, and tape. Kids who enjoy collaging and other “assembly” projects will love having ways to cut and paste things on their stash of construction paper. Here are some favorites:
- Stickers
- Pom-poms
- Pipe cleaners
- Foam shapes
- Tissue paper
- Buttons
- Yarn
- Feathers
- Cardboard tubes and small boxes to decorate
By picking up some open-ended materials, you’d be encouraging your child to invent their own projects. This type of artwork helps them develop new problem-solving skills and confidence. Not to mention, it’s a neat way to see how imaginative they can get with 3D pieces. Art projects don’t have to be limited to flat designs on paper!
Organize the Finished Artwork
Every parent knows that once their kids get into a creative rhythm, the artwork can pile up quickly. But by adding a storage solution directly to your art cart, you can manage that growing collection without cluttering the fridge.
Creating a place for children to showcase their “favorites” is a great way to help them practice decision-making on what to keep and what to toss. They can save the pieces they’re most proud of and then look back at their own artistic growth over time with:
- A large portfolio folder
- Expanding file folders
- Plastic document sleeves
- A designated artwork bin
Preserving the Pieces You Love Most
The most successful art carts aren’t necessarily the most elaborate—they’re the ones that get used. As your child fills their art cart with creations, you’re bound to discover a few masterpieces you’ll want to keep forever.
With Art to Remember, families can upload artwork to create personalized keepsakes featuring their child’s designs. You can also start a free online gallery to save, organize, and share artwork with family and friends, all while documenting your child’s creative journey over the years. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate your child’s growth and ensure those special creations can be enjoyed long after summer ends.