Somehow we mostly ended up taking this summer off from homeschooling, despite the fact that we usually school year round. As we prepare to start up again next month, I am focusing on what I will be doing with all my school-aged kids, but even more so, what I will keep my two little boys busy with while I work on lessons with the others. They are wild and crazy and very much into everything, so I need a plan! I like to find activities that they can do alongside their siblings, and as far as homeschooling goes, I often have younger children working at the kitchen table alongside the older kids. Art is my go-to activity. We’ve recently made some bedroom changes, and now Silas has a little spot for art in his bedroom too. He loves to draw and write, more so than any of my other children, and certainly more so than they did at his age. And Job usually likes to do whatever Silas is doing.
I teamed up with my longtime favorite, eco-friendly school and art supply shop, Stubby Pencil Studio, to stock up on supplies so that we will be ready for school days. Silas loves colored pencils, and watercolor pencils are always fun. We love these jumbo ones. I buy blank notecards for him to draw and paint on as a sturdier option than plain paper, without being as expensive as watercolor paper. Silas is also very interested in practicing his letters (not something my girls were really into at this age-every kid is different!) and he likes using the Laddie intermediate sized pencils.
I don’t typically give my younger children regular sized crayons because they break so easily, but Silas is at a place now where he can use them a bit more carefully, and lately he has really been enjoying getting to use these soy crayons. We have been using these for many years, and I keep a stash of them in my art supply drawer. I prefer crayon rocks for Job.
I haven’t purchased modeling clay in ages, but decided to give Plastilina clay a try with the boys. It held their attention for longer than I expected, and it will be an activity that I pull out when I am nearby to supervise. Scented markers are another new favorite of both Silas and my girls. They have spent hours drawing food-themed pictures with them!
If you are looking to stock up on art or school supplies yourself, Kate from Stubby Pencil Studio is offering one Small Things reader a $75 gift certificate! In addition save 15% off all orders through August 31 using the discount code GINNY15 at checkout. For your chances to win: leave a comment on this post and then enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. The winner is Lisa C.!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I’ve been wanting to try these products for so long!
My daughter could use some supplies to keep her littlest one entertained while she teaches the older two! Thank you!
New art supplies for my kids would be great! Thanks for the chance to win!
This would be great for my small ones to keep busy as well!
Fun!
There can never be too many art supplies!
So lovely!!! I love giving art supplies to my kids.
Love this place!
to pass on to teacher daughter
My kids fly through the at supplies. It’s about time to restock.
fingers crossed! looks like fun stuff!
Neat ideas.
We are in desperate need of some new art supplies and we love Stubby Pencil Studios!
What a sweet giveaway. Thanks for the chance to indulge myself(oops I mean my kids) in their lovely products.
Always wanted to try Stubby! Thanks!
I would love to try some Stubby! Their products look lovely.
I’d love to stock up on some craft supplies!
I love new art supplies!
I LOVE Stubby Pencil Studio. They carry the best products for kids. I like that a lot of what they carry is all natural. Thanks for the chance to win!
Those watercolor pencils sound so cool!
My son is really into art too! Love the options available through them. 🙂
This looks like awesome fun!
What a great giveaway!! New things for school helps to make school fun!
Love this!
Thanks, I would love to try out this company!
We’d LOVE to win this!
What a wonderful giveaway! I have been meaning to put in an order from them and oh how it would be so nice for a larger budget! Thank you so much! Aloha!
I love art supplies! I enjoy using them WITH the kids..I am a big kid too!
The crayon rocks sound perfect for my littlest. Thanks for the chance!
What a lovely giveaway! We could definitely use some more art supplies for our homeschool!
I have 3 in school and I would love to win this giveaway!
All my children are grown, but I know that my daughter would love to get some thins for her Montessori classroom!
About to start a homeschool year with FIVE kids! Would love this!
I love their art supplies! Thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunity.
I enjoy reading your posts so much. It’s the small things in life that are really the greatest. Thanks for sharing!
Oh man, art/office supplies are my kryptonite. You can never have too many, right? 😉
Thanks for the ideas! My youngest two need things to do on school days:)
I love the bank note card idea. Going to implement this.
Thanks! I see that my younger is starting to enjoy drawing.
I’m always looking for something to occupy my littles other than TV while we do school. I would love to win!
No matter how old my kiddos get, my fondest for craft supplies never wanes!
thanks for the chance. my girls would love this!
Oh yes! I’m needing ways to keep little ones occupied while I work on lessons with the biggers.
Thanks for the chance!!
This is such a fun giveaway.
One of my favorites!
My boy loves art and writing, too!
It’s our first year officially homeschooling and I also have a young one who wants to do “school”. 🙂 This certificate would be very helpful in getting our supplies up, thank you so much for the chance!
Art is such a great go to project at any age!
I really like the blank notecard idea!