Where to get arts and crafts equipment?

[CreativeNest]

I'm a FTM to a 13 month old and I've been trying to find ways to entertain her at home (especially since the weather is about to get cold again). Does anyone have any ideas or any sort of activities that work for them? I downloaded the Inspired minds app and it looks promising. I just have no idea where a good place to get equipment will be like pipe cleaners, finger paint etc. Are there any other books, websites or anywhere else I can get inspiration and information.

Hobbycraft. Amazon, supermarkets, toy shops usually do bits and bobs like paint, pipe cleaners etc.

Hobbycraft often do cheap starter packs like this…

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/giant-box-of-craft-1000-pieces/6686021000.html

and Pinterest is great for ideas

The Range is really good, I’ve just been in and bought some half-price Christmas craft bits, also The Works.

The Works - we have a local shop but I believe they do online too
The Works | Get Huge Savings On Arts, Crafts And Books
also places like B&M,
Hobbycraft has a wide range but IMO is on the expensive side.

Baker ross do some really good stuff online or the early learning centre if they are still around??

Oh just remembered these paint dabber things which are brilliant for painting with toddlers… minimal mess!

www.bakerross.co.uk/jumbo-paint-markers?&tm=tt&ap=gads&aaid=adakFLMRapOcq&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22676807208&gbraid=0AAAAAD4FDOU0MJ1B3px4UlhOp0XdpEN3m&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnovFBhDnARIsAO4V7mCxvODnW_nk-XwGmzPzpM1RJ2D7699eTOEjPo0eY7IenEaMkN17SXAaAmfZEALw_wcB

Home bargains, B&M, the range, Poundland are great for value craft packs.
Paintsation is a good first painting set when you get there, limited spillages/mess.
Have fun!

edited - Pinterest is great for idea gathering!

I was coming on to say Baker Ross but someone has beaten me to it. They are great!

What about good old potato printing (showing my age!). I used to love doing that as a child. My mum used to carve shapes into half a potato and you'd dip it in paint and print with it.

The range and the works are good for small
kids craft.
Baker Ross have some good things especially if you buy on the sale.

Early Learning Centre is part of The Entertainer toy shop (who also do their own crafty bits).

@Needmorelego thank you. Its been a long long time since I shopped at the early learning centre

Food colouring in yogurt at that age, or the water doodle pads. Anything like paint and you’ll be in cleaning mode for ages!

only buy chubby crayons (Hobbycraft or Amazon) others will break

magnetic tiles are interactive as are shape puzzles and musical instruments. Probably more appropriate right now IMHO; you are asking a lot of a 13mo tbh to do crafts, even mine at 3 had limited interest apart from crayons or stickers

The best activity at that age for DD was ‘moving stuff from one place to another using a random assortment of cup/bowl/spoon shaped implements’ she could do it for ages.

• in the bath with measuring cups and empty bottles
• an underbed storage tub ( shallow height but big base size) with sand or cheap/stale cereal in it. Bury toys in it and let them dig it out or with a towel underneath a small amount of water and a lot of bubbles, or freeze water with various food colours in and let her melt the ice cubes into the water.

The Works but do check age recommendations as toddlers tend to put it everywhere including their mouths. Ideally you need non toxic finger paints.

You can make quite a lot from stuff in the kitchen I. E. Play dough, which lasts for ages. We get food colouring gel from amazon in a big multipack and I bought some food flavours like mint from the supermarket to make them smell nice.