I have recently surveyed my newsletter subscribers about why they don’t end up doing an activity with their kids. I asked what the main reason was.
By far, the majority answer:
I don’t have the right supplies.
Yes. That’s my main reason too.
I don’t go out and buy something just with the idea of doing one special activity with my kids. I just can’t justify that. There’s two types of supplies I use in our activities that I justify:
- Supplies I’m going to have around the house, no matter what, whether or not I have kids around.
- Supplies that I’m going to use over and over (and over) again. For many different types of activities.
I once made a list of all the supplies I use. Its very true to my house. But I also asked you what supplies you don’t have from that list… and I found there’s a few that you don’t have. Which bums me out because I love those supplies!
Instead of trying to adjust what I love using, I wanted to inform you of what you could use instead if you don’t happen to have a supply on hand. And maybe I could convince you to stock up on these supplies too, I mean, I buy them… I use them constantly… I think they’re definitely worth it! But if you don’t think so, I understand… you can substitute them.
What you don’t have on hand, and what to substitute it with:
There’s three main supplies I use that are somewhat out of the ordinary. And I understand that they are actually something special that you wouldn’t normally just happen to have on hand. However, these three supplies are ones that I use over and over (and over) again that make them well worth it to just get them.
But, in the case that happen to not have them on hand yet (I understand! I haven’t convinced you yet, give me time), you can try substituting these supplies with something you may more likely have on hand.
Contact Paper: When making contact paper collages, substitute with wax paper and glue. Activities this would work well for:
What activities this doesn’t work for: Sensory activities that use the stickiness of the contact paper.
Buy a roll of contact paper, it lasts a long time! (affiliate link)
Painter’s Tape: When using painter’s tape as an outline or a line to follow, take the activity outside and use sidewalk chalk. Activities this would work well for:
When doing tape resist, or other activities that call for painter’s tape that doesn’t matter if it sticks to the surface, use any other type of tape that you do have: Scotch tape, masking tape, electrical tape, etc. Activities this would work well for:
Or simple draw lines on butcher paper instead of using tape on the floor. Make it a little smaller to fit the paper you have.
Or just stock up on painter’s tape, because I swear its the best supply to have! (affiliate link)
Butcher (or Art) Paper: Instead of butcher paper, you can substitute for whatever size paper you do have. It might just take a few pieces of paper. Or just make everything smaller. Many times I prefer to enlarge the activity just to intrigue my kids more, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done smaller. It might actually be better for fine motor skills! Activities this would work well for:
Butcher paper gets used over and over in our house! Get a roll! It lasts a long time! (affiliate link)
Challenge me!
I challenge you to ask me in the comments about an activity you want to do but you don’t have the right supplies. I’ll do my best to come up with a substitution that works with what you do have (I bet there’s something)!
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Barbara Limb says
I see things made with ‘liquid starch’ it isn’t something I have found on shelves in Western Australia, what is a good substitute?
Thanks
Barbara
Becca says
i found a recipe for ‘slime’ with dish soap and powder starch. mix a spoon each, or more, and adjust quantities until it’s like ‘slime’.I can’t remember the site.