If you’re like most teachers, flat surfaces and storage cabinets are at a premium in your classroom—you likely don’t have enough to start with – and the sheer amount of arts & crafts supplies you use is simply overwhelming. Coming up with creative ways to store your classroom craft supplies can help you avoid a mess, keep supplies out of little hands until you are ready for them, and even make it easier to find what you need.
Paper
Consider storing paper high or low. Either a low-slung storage piece with multiple openings for paper that can be tucked under another piece or shelves, or, if you don’t have the floor space, a wall-mounted piece that allows you to instantly access your paper without sacrificing any room. Consider mounting paper storage on your wall or a closet door to keep it out of the way while still accessible.
Crayons and Markers
Corral crayons by color in an open storage tray with multiple compartments; kids can access the colors they need, then easily return them to the correct places. Mixing all the crayons into one big bin won’t work; it will take students too long to find the colors they need, and you won’t be able to tell which colors you are running low on. Sorting by color lets you tell at a glance if you are running low and lets even young children return crayons to the correct place in an instant. A storage tray allows you to keep crayons in a single area, and for anyone in the class to swiftly access these frequently needed items.
Seasonal Supplies
Use bins or crates to store seasonal craft supplies; everything from decorative paper and embellishments to paints and recycled items you’re saving for a specific project can go into a seasonal crate. When Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or other holidays arrive, you can simply pull down the crate to access what you need, without having to search through your classroom supplies or purchase new items.
The right storage for your arts and crafts supplies will be easy to use; you should be able to quickly lay your hands on anything you need. If kids have access to the supplies, then the storage you use needs to be easy to understand and accessible; students should be able to easily return pieces when they are done. The easier your storage is to use, the better; if everyone uses your storage system, you’ll always know where your supplies are and be able to set up a new activity in an instant.
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