Sure, you can buy a folder, but it’s not as much fun as making one (directions below). If you decide to purchase folders, let your little artists label and decorate them.
Once you make or purchase a folder, you will begin filling it with all kinds of ideas for craft projects. You can collect ideas from magazines, print ideas and instructions that you find online, and write down ideas as you and your children think of them.
Visiting the library is a great source for new ideas, and a trip to the library is a good adventure. Share your ideas with friends and ask them for ideas too. You can also find some great projects online at many different sites, including sites for preschool, Kindergarten, and elementary school teachers.
Save photos, drawings, and pictures from magazines and newspapers that you’d like to incorporate into your projects as well. Your idea folder is also a good place to stash scraps of cool paper, wrapping paper, wallpaper and borders, or faces from greeting cards. These items make great collages and other interesting craft projects. Collecting these items can become a project on its own, and you will likely find a lot of inspiration while collecting things.
To make your own folder, simply cut an 18″ x 18″ piece from a sheet of poster board. Fold the bottom edge over 6″ and crease it well. Glue the side edges to the main piece. This will make the pocket to hold your ideas, scraps, and pictures.
When the glue is dry, fold the piece neatly in half, from side to side like a greeting card. All that’s left to do is decorate the folder and label it. You can make several of these folders in different colors to separate your projects by type or to store your photos and images.