How to Set Up an Art Cart!

Picture this, you are a kindergarten teacher looking to provide your students with creative, play-centered outlets throughout the day while also meeting educational standards and the needs of your students. You do not have the time to create and prep a new fun activity every day and doing so would also take away some independence from your little learners. You hear about this ‘art cart’ thing and it sounds like maybe it could be a really great idea but also… it sounds scary. 

I mean… 20 something 5 year olds doing open-ended crafts in the middle of your classroom, what could go wrong?? 

A lot. The answer is a lot could go wrong. 

But don’t back away quite yet. You CAN do this and it will be GREAT! You just have to take the time to set it up properly and instruct your students well. It will be much easier than you’d think. Let me talk you through it. 

Step One: Gather Your Supplies 

One of the largest things you'll need to create this space for your students is some kind of storage area. I used a 10-drawer rolling cart. If you don’t want to invest in one, you could use a bookshelf with bins for the supplies. Once you have the space, move on to the fun part! 

Take a look around your classroom and community supply areas in your school. Chances are good that you already have many of the supplies you will need. 

Here’s a list of what’s inside mine: 

• Bingo dotters 
• Crazy scissors 
• Construction paper 
• Pipe cleaners 
• Glue 
• Cotton balls 
• Stamps 
• Paper bags 
• Watercolors 
• Paper plates 

Let’s say you do not have bingo dotters, they are more expensive and if you don’t have them on hand you may not want to buy them specifically for this. Replace them! Fill the drawer with smelly markers or maybe even stickers, really whatever! 

Step Two: Label It! 

Once you’ve decided on the supplies you want in your art cart, it'll be time to label it. I definitely would not skip this step! These labels are developmentally appropriate for young students. They have life-like pictures and large easy-to-read lettering making them accessible for beginning readers. Your students will be able to see exactly what is in the drawer (or bin) when they are looking for something and when they are putting it away! 

Bins without labels lead to students constantly digging through supplies, often leaving messes as they go because they don’t know where things should be put back. When they can see all their supplies just by looking at the labels, they’ll know their options, use more of them, and clean up better! 

Step Three: Teach Your Students

Now this, this is the key to a successful art cart. Whatever you do, DO NOT put your cart in the corner of your room and open it for business without properly teaching your students. You will NOT enjoy the art cart if you do this. Unless you have an entire group full of perfect angel students who never make a mess and always take care of supplies…. You will end up with wasted supplies and crusted glue all over the floor. Just trust me on this one. 

So here is how I would go about teaching it. SLOWLY. I highly recommend teaching one or two drawers (or bins) at a time. Introduce the supplies one by one. 

For each bin, answer these questions: 

• How do you use this supply?
• Where can you use this supply? (In what part of the classroom, on/with what other supplies)
• How do you put this supply away? 
• How many can you use? (I.e. can they use 10 sheets of construction paper at a time or is 2 a better number?) 

Then, PRACTICE! Allow students to get out the supply, use it in the proper space, and clean it up. Do this a couple of times if needed! 

Once you see that the majority of your students have the process down, open up that drawer and begin teaching the next one! 

If you get 4 drawers in and suddenly supplies are being ruined and the area is left a disaster… stop, go back, and reteach! Remember, we go slow to go fast. If you teach this properly you will have a fully functioning independent center that students will LOVE. 

Step 4: Keep It Stocked

Check your drawers frequently to be sure that your students have the supplies they need. You’ll avoid a million questions during independent time by doing so! You could also make this a classroom job! Have a student check each bin and then report the ones that need refilling to you. 

If you are looking for a few activities to add to your art center that have a bit more structure, grab this bundle! This is packed full of simple crafts your students will be able to do independently. 

You can find a list of all of my developmentally appropriate resources here!