How to Organize Your Craft Supplies

A simple, step-by-step guide to sorting your art materials so you can find exactly what you need for your next creative project.

1. Clear the decks. Take every single craft item you own and put it in one big pile on the floor or a large table. Seeing everything at once helps you decide what goes where.
2. Sort by type. Group your items into piles. Put all the markers together, all the paper in one stack, and all the glue, tape, and scissors in another. If you have broken crayons or dried-out pens, ask a grown-up if it is time to toss them.
3. Give everything a home. Place your groups into boxes or jars. Use tall jars for things like paintbrushes and scissors so they stand up straight. Use flat trays for paper and stickers. Label each box so you remember what is inside later.
4. Set up your workspace. Find a dedicated spot where you like to work. Keep the items you use most often, like pencils and paper, in the easiest place to reach. Keep messy items like paint and glue together in one bin.