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Community Corner

Essentials Supplies for Endless Play with Your Child

Ingredients for cooking up creativity.

When my husband and I were newly married, we were big fans of a young chef out of England named Jamie Oliver. He had a show called "The Naked Chef." Once a week, my husband and I would make a date to watch this cooking series. Ah, the days before TiVo, when you actually had to commit to watching a show.

That was before Jamie Oliver became a household name.

Anyway, what's my point here? Oh! Yes, my point. The point is that one of the things I liked about Jamie Oliver was that he provided a list of essential pantry items. For fairly little investment, one could stock a pantry that would produce countless dishes.

So today I'm bringing you a pantry list of my own. However, on this list you won't find items like cumin and cannellini beans. No, this pantry list features items to inspire creativity and play.

Here's my list of essential ingredients for any playful pantry:

Colored paper
Printer paper
Sticker paper
Newspaper
Cardstock

Tape
Packing tape
White glue (like Elmers)
Fabric glue
Hot glue and hot glue gun


Craft paint
Glue brushes
Paint brushes
Face paint
Spray paint (with adult supervision)

Markers
Crayons
Pencils

Yarn
Popsicle sticks
Paper clips
Clothespins
Freezer paper
Scissors

Boxes
Shoe boxes
Paper grocery bags

Muslin
Scraps of fabric
Glitter (although this one is hotly contested in our house)

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