THE BOX

Full disclosure...if you purchase something from Amazon by clicking on the link from my page, I make a little bit of money. And that helps keep us camping and crafting! Thanks for your support! One thing that I hate is scrolling through hundreds of ads when I am trying to follow a blog, so you will find no ads here.


You may have lots of these items in your home already. They can also be found at many other retailers, but we like Amazon because it is convenient, fast, and affordable. Remember that the box rules were meant to be broken. You don't have to buy everything that we included in our box all at the same time, or even at all. Add the components that you see your family using most.

THE BOX

Really, any box would work. I chose this one from Amazon because it had good reviews, fits where I want it, and I think it will last. The kids also sit on it and we use it to hold stuff up. This Action Packer is the best you can get, but so expensive. Someday, I will make a nice one out of solid wood.

THE BOX GUTS

Remember that you don't have to get everything all at once. You can still follow along with our craft ideas, improvise what you must! Did I mention that we are on a budget?


Here is a link to our Amazon list that has the lion's share of supplies


So the total cost for the box and guts at the time of writing this was $. Which is kind of a lot of money. However, This is several weeks of crafting for our family of six. If we do a craft every other day on average (for an hour), crafting actually costs less than a lot of other activities. And it is good for exercising problem solving skills, fine motor skills, teamwork, and developing creativity. We also like to tie it into our home school lessons. The cost can be kept down in several ways: buying smaller quantities, waiting to purchase items until you are ready for them, using supplies you already have, shopping garage sales for tools, and improvising what you can.

THE BOX GUTS extended!

This is more stuff that we have in our box because we knew we would be using it. We left it out of the first part of box guts because the cost adds up fast. You can always purchase the items over time rather than all at once.


Here is the link to the extended supplies Amazon list

Keeping THE BOX GUTS organized

Well, now that really is a task. We can recommend a few strategies for keeping everything packed away neatly so that nothing gets destroyed and everything is ready for the next crafting session.

  1. Power tool care. Make sure to take out bits or blades, and lock the tools in the OFF position. Most drills and jigsaws can do this in some way or another. Kids have a habit of squeezing tool triggers when they pick them up. If you used any battery-operated tools very much, you may want to charge them and wipe off any dust before putting them away. And that glue gun needs to cool down so it doesn't stick to stuff in there or melt anything.

  2. Trays, containers, baggies. Try to transition everything into a small flat container. Plastic storage containers with dividers are awesome. Cookie tins, Altoid containers, resealable food containers, and the like are basically free. Keep small items from getting loose in there.

  3. Micro Management. We let the kids help pick up their mess by gathering all like materials into groups. We then micro manage the placement of materials back into the box. Maybe someday we will have them trained...

  4. Strategy. Large, flat, non-crushable things in the bottom. Bendy, squishable things packed around odd-shaped tools. Glues and paints in plastic baggies, close to the top.

  5. Time for a bigger box! Now to decide what things to get rid of so that a bigger box will fit...bravely I shall go to find out how my wife feels about reducing her wardrobe by half...