“Do you have any tips for making kids arts and crafts more sustainable? I have a craft shelf that the kids love. I keep it stocked and love to encourage their creativity, but it feels so wasteful!”
 
Pom pons, glitter glue, and googly eyes, oh my.
While we all want to provide our children with opportunities to express their creativity, I believe there’s a fine line between offering artistic inspiration and being wasteful. (While we’re at it, there’s also a fine line between tidy art spaces and out-of-control crafting.)
On this short and sweet episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about how sustainable minimalists handle arts & crafts.
Here’s a preview:
[2:45] Why I suggest you stop buying art supplies for your kiddos (and what you should stock for their creative endeavors, instead)
[5:45] Where to find eco-friendlier art supplies on the market
[7:00] The ins and outs of a 21st century scrap bin
[10:15] Thoughts on instilling a culture of slow creation (with a focus on functional art) in your home
 
Resources mentioned:

* Kraft paper tape
* Scissors made from recycled plastic (note: not for kids)
* Beeswax crayons without petroleum
* Acid-free construction paper with recycled content
* Biodegradable glitter
* Crazycrayons.com for petroleum-based crayon recycling

 
* Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!)
* Prefer to send an email? Reach out at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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