Parents: Don’t Be Caught Short on School Project Supplies
Every parent has been there. That moment when you realize your child’s school project is due tomorrow and that spot behind the bookcase where you stash the extra poster board is bare. To save yourself a last-minute, late-night run to the store and avoid deadline panic, here’s a list of essential school project supplies to always have on hand.
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Poster Board and Paper: Poster board, foam-core board and tri-fold poster board are essentials. Poster board is the foundational element for most school projects, and white is always the best color because it provides a neutral background.
“A sheet of blank paper or poster board offers limitless possibilities,” says Kari Amy, a mother of three in Wake Forest, NC. She also keeps plenty of colored construction paper, drawing paper, tissue paper, card stock, and cardboard to use for cut-outs and to add colorful designs to posters. -
Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons and Paint: Choose markers with a variety of tip widths to create bold and thin lines. Buy good quality crayons and pencils that hold a sharpened point and don’t break easily. Paints or paint pens are great for adding a bold splash of color, especially on fabric and other non-paper materials.
“You never know which one will be right until you’re in the moment,” says Kim Moldofsky, a Chicago mother of two who blogs as The Maker Mom. “Broad-tipped markers are great for making a poster or sign, but pencils and crayons are best for coloring in spaces and doing more detailed artwork.” -
Tapes and Glue: Adhesive tape, masking tape, duct tape, painter’s tape — keep a supply of each on hand. Colorful masking or duct tape is great for creating borders for posters, while painter’s tape can be painted over and then easily removed to create background designs, says Moldofsky.
Glue sticks — a favorite for adding a bit of pizzazz — are another must-have item and create less mess than squeezable glue containers. Amy also recommends Mod Podge, a water-based glue that doubles as a sealant to hold down loose edges on posters and paper projects. - Scissors and Cutting Tools: Purchasing a sharp pair of paper scissors that only mom or dad uses is a plus, in addition to kid-safe scissors. Amy likes craft scissors that create fancy patterns (such as a scalloped edge) and add a distinctive and fun look to paper cut-outs. She also keeps a three-hole punch handy, as well as a straight edge razor knife that she uses for more precise cuts.
- Science Project Essentials: Science projects often require more than just the basic supplies. A few science kits can help with last-minute experiments. “It’s good to have materials you can build with,” Moldofsky recommends. Straws, skewers, dowels, toothpicks and wooden sticks are ideal for constructing bridges or structures. Laundry pins hold models together to dry or help suspend a hanging mobile. Modeling clay is also a good choice for creating three-dimensional objects, and styrofoam balls are a staple item for creating models of the planets or outer space, adds Amy. Don’t forget the science fair display, either!
With parents already expecting to spend an average of $325 this school year on extra supplies for school projects, according to the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, you don’t want to be caught unaware when your kids urgently need a supply. Watch out for seasonal and clearance sales, daily deals and buy-one/get-one free offers so you can get ahead of the demand and plan accordingly. And, as Moldofsky adds, “There are a lot of imaginative, creative things you can make with a few basic supplies, without spending lots of money.”