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When I first decided to start homeschooling our daughter at two years old, I wasn’t sure how to start. I spent hours on the internet, trying to figure out what she should be learning and how I can help her learn it.

What I discovered is that most of what your toddler needs to learn at this age is through hands-on play. So instead of having a heavily structured curriculum, I plan one to two activities per day plus allow her free access to her craft table, where I can follow her lead and let her be in control of her learning as well as keeping her entertained and busy while I take care of the twins.

But what do I put in my craft area for her to have free access to?

1. Finger Paints

Currently my daughter’s favorite activity, this BLOT Kids Paint Set has everything you need to start your painting section of your craft area. When we first started out, she hated getting dirty so I also got these painting smocks for her. I keep the paints in a bag so she can’t access them without asking for help.

Bonus for moms, this paint washes out of everything. I have washed it out of clothes and even my dining room rug.

2. Jumbo Crayons

No craft area for toddlers would be complete without crayons. I like these Crayola jumbo crayons and I do not use coloring books. I prefer letting her spark her own creativity on blank paper or i print out a few coloring pages each week that relate to our homeschool theme.

3. Dot Markers

Dot markers are a great way for your toddler to work on their fine motor skills. I use these DOODLE HOG washable dot markers. Their tips do dry out if they haven’t been used in a while, but they work great after you get them wet again.

I print dot marker pages each week that relate to our homeschool theme. My toddler also loves just “boop”-ing them all over a blank sheet of paper to create her own masterpiece.

4. Construction Paper

Construction paper is so versatile. Your toddler can color on it, paint on it, cut it up and use it in craft projects and activities.

I get this Crayola construction paper to stock my toddler craft station.

5. Pom poms

Okay, pom poms are probably my absolute favorite item in our craft area. You can sort them, put googley eyes on them, glue them onto paper, stick them to contact paper and so much more.

I get a big bag of them like this one on Amazon and then just put a handful out for my toddler to go crazy with them.

6. Clear Contact Paper

Contact paper is a lot of fun for toddlers. I do many activities with my daughter where I cut a square of clear contact paper and tape it to the wall, sticky side out.

She can then tear up construction paper or tissue paper and stick it to the contact paper to make a wall mural. We have also used pom poms, cotton balls, and fake flowers to make contact paper art. Your imagination is the limit on how to make this craft station staple fun for your toddler.

7. Colorful Tissue Paper

My husband is the master of tissue paper crafts with my toddler. Him and my daughter love getting out the glue sticks and gluing torn and crumpled colored tissue paper to paper to create a textured piece of art. I constantly tell him he is better at chaotic toddler art than I am (probably because he is still a kid at heart too).

I get this assorted color pack of tissue paper for gift wrapping and it lasts a long time!

8. Glue Sticks

No toddler craft station is complete without glue sticks. Use them with construction paper, pom poms, tissue paper and more.

I get these Mr. Pen Disappearing Purple Glue Sticks so my toddler can see where she has glued.