• Fostering creativity helps mental, social and emotional development and it boosts young children's ability to analyze and problem-solve in myriad ways.
• As kids manipulate a paintbrush, their fine motor skills improve.
• By counting pieces and colors, they learn the basics of math.
• When children experiment with materials, they dabble in science.
• And children who feel able to experiment and to make mistakes feel free to invent new ways of thinking, which extends well beyond the craft room.

The Ultimate Art-Supply List

• modeling clay
• chalk
• washable paint
• paintbrushes
• cotton swabs
• sponges
• stamps and inkpads
• washable markers
• crayons
• colored pencils
• plain and colored paper
• tissue paper
• scissors
• glue
• craft foam
• ice-pop sticks
• chenille stems
• pom-poms
• feathers
• felt
• fabric
• colored tape
• buttons
• cotton balls
• sequins and glitter
• ribbon, yarn, string
• beads
• packing peanuts
• drinking straws
• egg cartons
• cardboard tubes
• cupcake liners
• paper plates
• clothespins
• plastic cutlery
• magazines, newspapers, catalogs
• wallpaper samples
• wax paper
• aluminum foil