These DIY art caddy ideas will keep your creative mess in one portable spot, whether it’s your kids’ crayons, scissors, and glue or your art supplies causing the clutter.
There’s nothing quite like the sound of a crayon snapping under your feet, or the feel of the floor on your tush after you slip on a marker.
Or worse, cleaning melted crayon out of the dryer. #laundryfail
Creativity is messy whether you love to color, sew, scrapbook, make wreaths or crochet, and the list of craft supplies seems endless. My kids and I love to create all over the house, so we needed a DIY art caddy to control the crayon clutter and make it easy to bring supplies from room to room.
When I say “DIY” I don’t mean building an art caddy with wood and nails – rather, “do-it-yourself” means using unexpected items or modifying the obvious ones to meet your needs.
You can put your scrap wood away for now. 🙂
4 DIY Art Caddy Ideas That Work Well For Us
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1. Solo Cups and a Sticker Organizer
It’s easier to organize kids’ art supplies when they’re little before they accumulate too much stuff. This plastic bin (the size of a shoe box) and plastic Solo cups keeps scissors, crayons, and markers tidy while a little washi tape makes the DIY art caddy cute.
An inexpensive letter tray is a perfect size for coloring paper, and handles make it easy to carry around.
The small accordion file is ideal to organize stickers and those darn temporary tattoos that appear in every party goody bag.
2. Boxes in a Basket
My kids are old enough for more complex crafts so their supply requires a bigger, sturdier system. I bought two sets of art caddies which by themselves weren’t portable enough for my kids. But, put them together and poof! A great DIY art caddy that works for us.
The basket is from the Target Dollar Spot and goes in and out of stock, so check your local store.
The set of blue boxes is easily removed from the basket when needed.
3. Magazine File for Coloring Books
Do your kids have loads of coloring books? Magazine file holders are great to organize coloring books and allow kids to move a bunch of them all at once.
4. Arts & Crafts Tray with Mason Jar Organizers
Our latest DIY art caddy is a Dollar Spot mirrored tray with mason jars for googly eyes, glitter, pompoms, and small craft sticks. Paint brushes in a small bucket (another Dollar Spot find) and space for paint make this a perfectly portable craft center.
4 More Art Caddies from Other Creative Folks
Still looking for more ideas? These DIY art caddies from around the web are great examples of the endless ways to create a cheap solution to organize your art supplies.
1. Utensil Caddy
In spring and summer, it’s easy to find utensil caddies at Target and the other big box stores, and they’re just right for holding all kinds of art supplies. If you don’t like the color, simply paint it.
2. Six-Pack Holder
As if you or your spouse needed another reason to finish a six-pack, here’s inspiration to up-cycle one to hold all your craft supplies. Oddly enough, my husband just finished a case of this particular brew, but if you don’t want the kids to tote around their six-pack of art supplies during their next play date, hit it up with a shot of spray paint, or cover it in pretty paper.
3. Shoebox + Toilet Paper Rolls
No excuses here – you definitely have the supplies to make this art caddy. If not, start collecting those TP rolls and treat yourself to a new pair of sandals.
4. Rolling Cart
This IKEA RASKOG is a steal at just $30, holds a ton of supplies, and can be wheeled all around the house.
Art Caddies & Portable Homework Stations
No time for DIY? Here are art caddies or portable homework stations to buy. Just click on the link to go right to the shopping source!
Organization Inspires Creativity
Kids need every opportunity to exercise their creative muscles, and an organized DIY caddy lets them create wherever and whenever the mood strikes.
Sure, there are still random crayons and markers on the floor, but having a system makes it easier for my kids to put their stuff back where it belongs.
I hope you’re inspired to round up all those supplies and put together your own little portable art caddy! If you do, I’d love to see it.
Awesome Craft Supplies for Rainy Days – Free Printable!
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