Supply Closet Checklist

One of the nicest things you can do for your leaders is to set up a closet (or a room or some other space) with the essential supplies they’ll need to teach. Since tracking down, collecting, and purchasing supplies can be a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating job, you may want to find a volunteer who understands how valuable this service is to your children’s ministry and who’s willing to put in the time and effort it takes to make it successful.
The following general list will get your supply cabinet off to a great start:

• Bibles and concordances
• Chalkboard, dry erase board, flip chart, newsprint, or overhead projector
• Writing paper and scrap paper
• Construction paper
• Big roll of paper (the kind used for paper tablecloths)
• Envelopes
• 3 x 5 cards
• Posterboard
• Paper towels
• Pens, pencils
• Chalk
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Crayons
• Paints and brushes
• Staplers
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Old magazines to cut up (set out a box for donations from the congregation)
• Old newspapers
• Craft supplies: fabric scraps, glitter glue, buttons, pipe cleaners, yarn, and so on (set out another box for donations from the congregation)
• Masking tape, clear tape
• Blindfolds: sleeping masks, bandanas, scarves, old neckties, kitchen towels with safety pins
• Bible-time costumes: bathrobes, towels, sandals
• Play-Doh or homemade modeling clay (see recipe on p. 37)
• Craft sticks
• Toothpicks
• Timers
• Stickers: smiley faces, crosses, and so on
• Paper lunch bags
• Zippered sandwich baggies
• Paper clips
• Paper or Styrofoam plates and cups
• Paper napkins
• Paper cutter
• Paper punch
• Rubber bands
• Brads
• Old shirts for paint shirts
• Craft foam
• Safety pins and straight pins
• TV/DVD player
• CD players
• Balloons (non-latex)
• Tennis balls or small classroom balls
• Wet wipes

Of course there will always be optional and “plan ahead” supplies as well!