As spring break nears and the days get longer, many parents are searching for meaningful ways to keep children occupied. What better time to make sure your family’s crafts cupboard is well stocked and up to date?

Here are 10 essential arts and crafts items that are easy on the budget and simple to use:

1. Age-appropriate scissors. Even children as young as 3 can begin using safety scissors with supervision. Pay attention to age recommendations on packaging. Let tiny tots cut pictures out of old magazines to make a collage. Older kids can snip favorite shapes for all sorts of projects including paper dolls.