If you’ve ever walked into a craft store just to “grab glue” and walked out €40 poorer, trust me, I’ve been there. Sometimes, buying craft supplies can quietly drain your budget, especially when you have kids who love to create something new every day. But the good news is that you don’t need to purchase new or expensive supplies every time, just to give your kids creative, hands-on activities. In fact, in my opinion, some of the most cherished crafts come from the random things you already have at home.

That’s why I’ve put together 10 budget-friendly tips to help you save money on craft supplies without draining your pocket.

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1. Use what you already have first

Before you grab your keys and run to the store to buy anything new, take a quick look around your home first to see what you have on hand, and you’ll be surprised how many craft supplies are hiding in plain sight, such as:

  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Paper bags
  • Old magazines
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Scrap paper
  • Fabric from old clothes

Then take a moment to ask yourself:
“Can I make this craft with something I already have?” And if your answer is YES, that’s your sign to skip the store run.

2. Create a ‘Craft Drawer’

Instead of buying new supplies every time, what you can do is keep a designated craft drawer or basket, and in that drawer, add things like:

  • Buttons
  • Ribbon scraps
  • Packaging materials
  • Old greeting cards
  • Paper leftovers

So that when your child asks to craft, you can just pull out the basket without worrying about a store trip. This craft drawer can be your lifesaver because you can craft just about anything from it.

3. Buy in Bulk (But only the Basics)

This is something I usually do, and if you can, buy your craft supplies in bulk, because this can actually save you money. But, only buy in bulk if you stick to the essential supplies. Sticking to the essential supplies helps you plan better and guides you on what is necessary and what is just fancy.
Here are good items to buy in bulk:

  • Glue sticks
  • Coloured paper
  • Markers or crayons
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Avoid buying bulk items for trendy supplies, one-time projects or seasonal crafts- That’s because It’s better and most times smarter to just stick to the basics you know you’ll use all the time.

4) Choose Open-Ended Supplies

I sing this to the people around me every time, especially my mommy friends. Having open-ended supplies is your lifesaver, especially when you need to keep your kids busy for a while. While some craft items only work for one project, others can be used again and again, and some of the better choices are:

  • Plain paper
  • Cardboard
  • Yarn
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Washable paint
  • Stickers
  • Pompoms

And what’s amazing is that these listed supplies can become animals, decorations, or even learning tools for your kids. So it just makes so much sense to have such items with many uses.

5) Reuse Packaging Materials

Now, before you throw away that egg carton packaging, ask yourself once again:
“Could this be a craft supply?” I can assure you that your answer will be YES, yet again, and I’ll tell you why. These packaging materials are incredibly versatile and open up endless creative possibilities. In many cases, they can even replace store-bought cardboard. You can turn them into anything from DIY decorations to birthday goodie packs for kids, simple puzzles, and so much more. And that’s just the beginning. So, please keep them, because you’ll thank yourself later.
Here are some of the packaging examples:

  • Egg cartons
  • Cereal boxes
  • Paper tubes
  • Plastic containers
  • Bubble wrap

6) Set a Monthly Craft Budget

If you’re able to, and if you craft often, even a small budget can help you stay in control. Here’s what I like to do: I like to set aside at least €10 per month for craft supplies, and most times it’s just to restock what’s almost finished. And I try my best to only buy what’s on my list (which can be very difficult for me sometimes). This way, I’m able to avoid impulse craft store trips. And what nobody tells you is that when you know your limit, you shop smarter.

7) Swap Supplies with Other Moms

Many families have extra craft supplies just sitting around, unused. I’m lucky to have a sweet neighbour who doesn’t craft much with her child, but somehow always ends up with boxes of supplies. She’s told me so many times to come over and take whatever I need.

So whenever I run low on craft materials, I already know where I can restock for free. If you’ve got a kind neighbour like that too, don’t be shy about it. Those unused supplies could save you a trip to the store and your wallet a bit of stress. On the other hand, you can try these other options too:

  • Craft supply swaps with other parents: Sometimes one family has a drawer full of stickers, and another has piles of pom-poms or paper plates. A simple swap can refresh everyone’s craft stash without spending a cent. You can suggest it casually at school pickup, during a playdate, or even in a local parenting group. It doesn’t have to be formal, just trade what you don’t use for something new your kids will actually enjoy.
  • Playdate supply exchanges: Playdates are a perfect time to share supplies. If another mom mentions she never uses her pipe cleaners or has too many crayons, offer to trade or take a few off her hands. You can even make it a habit, bring a small bag of extra supplies and see if anyone wants to swap. It keeps things friendly, simple, and useful for everyone involved.
  • Parent WhatsApp groups: Most school or neighbourhood groups are full of parents with extra things lying around. A quick message like, “Does anyone have spare craft supplies they’re not using?” can go a long way. You’ll often find someone happy to pass along paper, stickers, or old craft kits just to clear space at home. It’s fast, free, and surprisingly effective.

In the end, one mom’s leftover stickers could be your child’s next favourite activity.

8) Shop the Discount Sections First

Before I even step into the main aisles, I always check the discount bins, clearance racks, and seasonal sale sections first. You’d be surprised how often the best finds are hiding right there. I almost always walk away with something useful for a fraction of the price.

I actually love stopping by craft stores and even supermarkets just to peek at those sections, because a lot of the time, they’re clearing out end-of-season supplies or leftover holiday items, and that’s where I usually find the best stuff, things like packs of stickers, paint sets, paper, ribbons, and all kinds of craft materials for super cheap just because they were from the previous season.

Most of the crafts on my blog, like these easy 5-minute crafts or simple paper plate crafts, use supplies you can easily find in clearance sections.

9) Use Natural Materials

Yes! I said what I said, use nature. Nature is full of free craft supplies that you have no idea about. Did you know that you can make paint out of leaves and flowers? Crazy right? Well, that’s a topic for another day. But what you should do right now is  take your kids outside and collect the following:

  • Leaves
  • Sticks
  • Stones
  • Pinecones
  • Flowers

Because all of these things can be used for craft ideas like collages, nature art, painting projects and even sensory play. And of course, it’s free, but most of all fun, and a great opportunity to take in some fresh air.

10) Follow Simple, Low-Supply Crafts

Lastly, one of the easiest ways I’ve learned to save money on craft materials is to simply choose crafts that use only a few supplies. Honestly, this has made the biggest difference for me. The simpler the craft, the fewer things I need to buy, and the less stress I have setting it up.

Over time, I’ve noticed that my kids enjoy the simple crafts just as much, and sometimes even more than the complicated ones. And for me, it means less prep, less mess, and less money spent on supplies we’ll only use once.

Now, when I’m planning an activity, I always look for crafts that use materials we already have at home. Things like paper, crayons, glue, tape, paper plates, toilet paper rolls, or scraps from the craft drawer. If I see a craft that needs more than five different speciality items, I usually skip it and go for something simpler.

Here’s what I personally look for when choosing a craft:

  • Crafts that use basic supplies like paper, crayons, glue, or tape
  • Crafts made from recycled materials like cardboard boxes or toilet paper rolls
  • Activities that use just one or two main materials

Keeping things simple has saved me a lot of money, but more importantly, it’s helped me stay consistent. I’m much more likely to say “yes” to a craft when I know it’s quick, easy, and uses what we already have at home. And that’s really the goal, more little creative moments, with less pressure on your time and your wallet.

Quick Budget Craft Starter Kit

If you’re just getting started with crafts at home, you really don’t need a giant craft room or a cart full of supplies. Honestly, a few simple basics can keep your kids busy for weeks.

When moms ask me what to start with, I always suggest a super simple starter kit:

  • Child-safe scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Crayons or markers
  • Colored paper
  • Googly eyes
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Paper plates
  • Washable paint

That’s it. With just those few things, you can make dozens of easy crafts.

If you’d rather grab everything in one go, a budget craft box like the Purpledi 3600+ Pieces Craft Set is a great place to start. It comes with pom-poms, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, googly eyes and lots of other basics you’ll end up using again and again.

If a huge box feels like too much, a smaller 600-piece Lulubug Craft Set works perfectly too. It gives you the essentials without overwhelming you or your storage space.

The craft my daughters did using the supplies & the craft guide booklet in the LuLubug craft box

And if your kids love sensory play, adding a Play-Doh rainbow pack is such an easy win. It’s an instant, no-prep activity for those moments when you just need something simple.

As a not-so-crafty mom myself, I’ve learned that you don’t need a big craft store haul to make fun memories with your kids. You just need a few basics, a little creativity, and the willingness to sit down together and make something. That’s where the magic really happens.