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
What a great give away! I would love some of their products to keep my littles busy during school hours!
Thank you for offering such an awesome giveaway!!
What a wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Fabulous! Thanks for the generous offer! Fingers crossed!
There are so many things I would love to try, I’d love to win this!
I need to restock!!
New art supplies ingnite a fresh passion for artistic expression!
Oh how I would love to win this!! I too am trying to come up with stuff for my two youngest to do while we are doing school.
Love these. I’ll be visiting Stubby Pencil right away! So grateful for your blog, Ginny.
What fun looking art supplies!
I think my two little boys are close in age and behavior to your littles. I am trying to have a plan also! Thanks for this!
I love many of the cool pencils offered. So many things to try! Please enter me in the draw.
New crayons and pencils may help getting my bigger-little boy to work on his pencil grip!
Would love to have these to use with my students! Thank you for the chance to win!
Wonderful products!! Thank you.
Lovely giveaway, thank you! I had never heard of Stubby Pencil Studio before, but I took a peek and they look amazing!
How awesome! Thank you!!
Would love to use the art supplies!
My two year old is just getting into art and this company’s products sounds perfect for him!
Oh my, I love picking out art supplies and Stubby Pencil has so much to drool over! Thank you for the chance to win, this would be perfect for the start of the school year.
would love to win!
Love this store! Thanks for the opportunity!
I love Stubby Pencil! We have gotten lots of great supplies there over the years!
My kids would love the clay and the colored pencils they have.
oh what the kids can craft with this giveaway!
Art is not just keeping them occupied. It helps their brain development and hand eye skills. Would love some supplies for my classroom.
We love Stubby Pencil:))) great tools for happy children!
great giveaway, thank you.
awesome giveaway but also thanks for the advice on clay. we’ve tried some kinds and don’t like them…..
i have never seen Crayon Rocks ~ how fun!
Ooh I’m excited about this! I have a very artsy six year old so I will definitely be stocking up on supplies.
This will be our first year homeschooling our 10-yr old boy with Down Syndrome with his siblings. He would love these 🙂
Looks like they’re having a fun time!
Inspirational to see all the wonderful supplies!
We love beautiful art stuff over here!
Cool super neat supplies make learning fun!! Thank you for sharing
I’d love to win! I love anything artsy!!!!!
I have my fingers crossed that the Stubby Pencil would ship to New Zealand if I won!
Oh we LOVE art supplies!! I have 3 little ones I need to keep busy while the “big” girls are doing school 🙂
Thank yoU!!
My grandsons would love these.
my boys would love some new art supplies!
such lovely things!
Thanks for the giveaway, and for sharing this great art supply site. I think I may order the crayons.
This is a wonderful giveaway! Thank you so much for offering it. Fingers crossed! 🙂
What fun materials!
Lovely! We love the laddie pencils too.
Would love to try the watercolor pencils with my 3 year old!
I can hardly belieVe how big those little boys are getting!!
I love their offerings my goodness we could have fun with their supplies. Love the crayon rocks