Finding a place to store all of the small craft supplies that preschoolers use every day can be a huge chore for preschool teachers and parents. Recycle an old spice rack to create this easy to use preschool craft storage system.

What You Need

An Old Spice Rack – If you do not have an old spice rack that you are no longer using look at garage sales and thrift shops. If you send out a preschool newsletter consider including a section titled “Current Needs”. You can not only include a spice rack on your list, but basic household items that you use often and simple craft supplies. Most parents are happy to help provide the things that their child needs at preschool and often they have extra supplies laying around that are not being used. A spinning spice rack works best because preschoolers can easily get to the materials that they need but any unused spice rack will work fine.

Small Craft Supplies – Glitter, buttons, beads, colored noodles, foam balls, google eyes, etc.

What To Do

Empty out any remaining spices from the spice rack. Since unused spice racks can sometimes have hardened spices in the bottom of the containers, either rinse all containers thoroughly or run them through the dishwasher.

Fill each spice container with small craft supplies. Craft supplies that work well include, glitter, buttons, beads, colored noodles, foam balls, and google eyes, but you can use any items you have that fit in the container.

If the spice containers have a cover that was used for sprinkling spices, save it. This is very nice to have for glitter. Preschoolers can use the containers as a glitter shaker and easily get the glitter where they want it to be.

If you have more supplies than will fit in one container fill several of them. You will likely rotate craft items through as you use up what you have anyway.

Optional – Trace the lid of the spice containers on a piece of paper and cut out the circles. Glue the colored circles to the top of the spice container. You can label this if you choose or leave it blank.