Crafting is something that people connect over, and while some may be dedicated and daily DIYers, others may be a little more casual without being fully aware of the versatile crafting materials available to us out there.
DIY with kids is inevitable once we become parents, so I suppose even those without the urge to create something new every day should have these crafting material must-haves in their homes.
25 Versatile Crafting Materials Everyone Should Have In Their Home.
This is the ultimate starter guide as well as a refresher on the essentials of crafting. With these, you’re sure to be a Pinterest master, able to pick up tons of craft projects without having to make a run to the store. Print out the PDF version at the end of this article to keep in your craft room!
1) Mason Jars
Mason jars are an obvious choice, we’ve all seen how they’ve exploded in popularity over the years. Use them as the subject of your project or as a tool to paint perfect circles.
Mason Jar Crafts:
Mason Jar Soap Dispenser
Cocktail Gifts
Salt & Pepper Shakers
Tissue Holder
Fairy Lights
2) Twine
Don’t think you need to wait until you’re attaching a gift tag to use twine, there are so many more exciting options out there. Let your wild and vivid imagination be your guide!
Twine Crafts:
Painted Terracotta Pot
Glitter Twine Ball
String Art
DIY Coasters and Hot Pads
Wrapped Monograms
3) Nature!
Curious kiddos are perfect for this since they have a knack for bringing home the finest collectibles nature has to offer. Show them a few fun new ways to incorporate nature with art.
Nature Crafts:
Nature Paintbrushes
DIY Garden Windows
Bark Owls
Pinecone Hedgehogs
Driftwood Fish
4) Crayons
Step outside of the coloring with crayons box, we’re about to get wild. While I love coloring just as much as the next guy, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried these unique ideas.
Crayon Crafts:
Crayon Stained Glass Windows
Ombre Crayon Monogram
Color Block Candles
Crayon Play Dough
Melted Crayon Monogram Art
5) Glue Gun
With a moderately-sized stockpile of glue gun sticks as well, obviously. Forget how you’ve pictured using glue guns as a tool, and focus on using it as the object of your craft.
Glue Gun Crafts:
DIY Harry Potter Wands
Candy Dot Earrings
Frozen Inspired Crown
Ice Queen Masquerade Mask
Easy Fold Over Elastic Headbands
6) Tulle
One of my all-time favorites, and also one of the most versatile craft supply on this list. With the vast amount of colors available, you can make something for everyone.
Tulle Crafts:
Tulle Puff Bows
DIY Teacher Gifts
Tulle Ball Gown Party Garland
Tulle Wreath
Tulle Rosettes
7) Mod Podge
With Mod Podge, you can make practically anything your own, adding a personal flair to anything you desire. I recommend this one to everyone with designer dreams, yes I’m talking to you.
Mod Podge Crafts:
Superhero Canvas
Custom Suitcase DIY
Fabric Bowls
Light Switch Covers
Pocket Mirror
8) Cardstock in Colors and Prints
The beauty of cardstock is that it comes in a wide variety of patterns, designs, and colors. You’ll never get bored while browsing the seemingly infinite options at your fingertips.
Cardstock Crafts:
Forget Me Not Cards
Hot Air Balloon Mobile
Custom Gift Wrap
Paper Flowers
Corner Bookmarks
9) Glitter
We’ve all heard the jokes about glitter and the lovely things it is often compared to. Despite its messy nature, it is a powerful crafting accessory. Don’t be shy, go ahead and indulge yourself.
Glitter Crafts:
Glitter Slime
Calming Glitter Play Dough
Ocean Glitter Soap
Starry Night Luminaries
Glitter Pendants
10) Paint
Especially with toddlers and preschool aged children, if the day involves paint it is a good day. Be sure to take the time to enjoy painting for yourself as well, you deserve it!
Paint Crafts:
DIY Puff Paint
Painted Feathers
Squirt Gun Painting
Learn to paint a realistic daisy.
Distress paint with vaseline.
11) X-ACTO® Knife
This tool will be your best friend and lifesaver more times than you can count. There is no struggle to make intricate and detailed cuts as long as you’ve got this in your kit.
X-ACTO® Knife Crafts:
Custom Key Designs
Custom Cut Canvas Designs
Wind Spinner
Washi Tape Wooden Birds
Wine Stained Cork Necklace
12) Sharpies
Permanent color at your fingertips. There are many ways to use Sharpie markers in a nontraditional sense, these are just a few to help you get started. Soon your unique ideas will blossom.
Sharpie Crafts:
Sharpie Mug Tutorial
Ceramic Coasters
Sharpie Pillowcases
Sharpie Wallpaper
DIY Sharpie Placemats
13) Cardboard Boxes
Many of you have magical memories of cardboard boxes from your childhood. We can now pass that on to the next generation in style and pizzazz with these highly creative projects.
Cardboard Box Crafts:
Cardboard Space Shuttles
Cardboard Box Hotwheels Track
Noah’s Ark
DIY Cardboard Aquarium
Box Castle
14) Felt
Felt is amazing because it provides hours of fun for every level crafter. Kids enjoy making basic shapes and games while adults can dive deeper into the craft in unexpected ways.
Felt Crafts:
DIY Felt Black Cat Mask
Felt Cookies
Adorable Mr. Avocado
Felt Paper Dolls
Felt Quiet Book
15) Basic Sewing Kit
Sewing is an extremely handy skill to have! Knowing basic stitches and practicing on some beginner projects is sure to benefit you for years to come.
Hand-Sewing Crafts:
Fabric Letters
Basic Stitch Tutorial
Ribbon Bookmarks
Embroidery Stitch Tutorials
DIY Hand Puppets
16) Shaped Hole Punches
Take your paper crafting to the next level with unique and underused hole punches in various shapes, add some glue in the mix for extra fun.
Shaped Hole Punch Crafts:
Custom Book Art
Devon the Paper Pup
Fun with leaf shapes
Felt Four-Leaf Clovers
Paint Swatch Butterfly Art
17) E-6000 Glue
E-6000 is the crafter’s dream glue. This stuff really sticks, and I mean really sticks. The options are endless and you’d be surprised at the number of household issues it can fix.
E-6000 Glue Crafts:
DIY Fruit Stand
Blinged Out Wine Glasses
Scrabble Coasters
Washer Necklaces
Colorful DIY Backsplash
Nina Say is a slightly geeky, obsessive book collector and huge music fan. She is married to her high school sweetheart, pretends she is a professional photographer and is moderately clumsy.