You don't need to spend a lot of money on craft equipment for your kids. You can if you wish go to the toy store and buy those overpackaged, overpriced kits. However, a little bit of thought and you can not only do it on the cheap, but you and your kids can have a lot of fun doing it as well.

Think before you throw out things. Pictures from old magazines can be cut out and used for projects such as collage. Greetings cards can also be used in this way, or the cut-outs used to make new cards. Newspapers can be turned into papier mâché.

Raid your sewing box for old buttons, pieces of wool or scrap material. Again, these can be used for collage or cards, and for making bangles, necklaces, or even dolls clothes.

A storecupboard item you can use for crafting with young children is dried pasta such as penne. Help them thread it onto string to make a long necklace.

Make your own playdough. Put 1 cup water, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cooking oil and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar in a pan. Add a little food coloring and cook gently for a few minutes until the mixture forms a ball. Store in a plastic container.

Lolly or popsicle sticks, washed and dried, can be made into many interesting objects such as doll's furniture.

Paper plates make great masks. Cut out holes for the eyes and attach a piece of elastic once the plates are painted or drawn. Halve the plates to make eye masks and attach a popsicle stick as a handle.

A great place to find free craft materials is outdoors. Nature provides us with a wealth of ideas. In the woods, gather leaves, twigs or bark. An imaginative child will find plenty to do with them. While you're there, give your kids paper and crayons to make tree bark rubbings. See what patterns different trees give.

Flowers can be picked for pressing. You don't need an expensive flower press, just gently wrap the blooms in kitchen roll and place between the pages of an old book. Put it in a warm place such as an airing cupboard, weighted down if it's a paperback, and wait a few days until the flowers are completely dry.

The beach is another good place to gather materials. Small shells can be glued onto plain trinket boxes or picture frames to make highly individual gifts. Collect large stones and paint them. Make an interesting texture on paper by spreading glue over and sprinkling on sand.

Explore consignment stores or charity shops. Buy cheap glassware and crockery to paint on. Old wallpaper rolls are great for scrap paper and cutting out. You may even find books on crafts at a greatly reduced price.I'm sure that you'll come up with even more ideas for cheap craft ideas for your kids. Remember at all times to be safety conscious with materials. And don't forget, have fun!

LynnM is a work from home mom. Her website, Family Den, has informative articles all about home and family life.