You know what it’s like. You’re putting the finishing touches to dinner, or just settling down to watch Oprah, and your preschooler just won’t settle down. There’s a way to get around this. Set up a simple Crafts Kit that contains all the materials he needs to keep himself pre occupied for a couple of hours.

It doesn’t take long to put together, it’s cheap and best of all you don’t have to spend 30 minutes collecting crayons, tearing off sheets of drawing paper and getting him all set up at a worktable. With a kit that’s stocked and ready to go, all you have to do is haul it out when your angel needs to get his hands dirty!

A Crafts Kit doesn’t have to be elaborate. A simple cardboard box will do just fine. Or you could use one of those large plastic containers that are available at home improvement stores. Really in a pinch? Just grab your laundry hamper, and begin throwing stuff in there!

Here’s what your Crafts Kit should include:

• Crayons
• White chart paper
• Colored chart paper (yellow, pink, pastel blue and green)
• Black paper
• White paper
• Gray paper
• Pencils
• Poster board
• Pair of scissors
• A bowl for mixing
• Non toxic washable markers
• Glue
• Chalk in various colors
• Modeling clay
• Non toxic water colors
• Paintbrush (medium and small sized)
• Stick for mixing
• Hand wipes
• Large plastic sheet to cover the work area
• A smock or loose comfortable shirt (for your little artist)
• Poster paints
• A box of glitter
• Glitter paint
• Cellophane
• A hole punch machine
• Small sponge
• A roll of thread

Keep your Crafts Kit somewhere high up on a shelf or locked in a closet, so he can’t get to work on his own when you’re not around. When in need, just drag the box out, settle him down on the floor or work table and enjoy an hour or so of peace and quiet!