If a child swallows a craft material, gets something in their eye, or has a reaction you are worried about, call your local poison control center or your doctor, and keep the package so you can read them the label. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Scissors
Young children should use child-size scissors with blunt, rounded tips. They cut paper well and are far less likely to cause a poke injury. Sharp-pointed scissors, craft knives and paper trimmers belong to adults, stored where children cannot reach them.
Teach a few scissor rules early and repeat them every time:
- Sit down to cut. Scissors stay at the table.
- Carry scissors closed, with your hand wrapped around the blades and the tips pointing down.
- Pass scissors handle first, with the blades closed.
- Cut paper only. Not hair, clothes or anything else.
- Keep the hand that holds the paper away from the blades, and turn the paper instead of twisting your wrist.
Glue and tape
Glue sticks and white school glue made for children are the right choices for young crafters. Even so, they are not food, so supervise children who still put things in their mouths and wash hands after crafting.
Hot glue guns can cause burns, including the low-temperature kind. Keep them for adults, set them on a heat-proof surface, and keep the cord where nobody can trip on it or pull the gun down. Spray adhesives and permanent markers with strong fumes are also adult tools, used with fresh air and away from children.
Small parts and choking
Buttons, beads, sequins, pom-poms, googly eyes and small stickers are choking hazards for babies and young children, especially under about three, and for any child who still puts things in their mouth. Read the age warnings on craft packages. For young makers, swap small parts for things that cannot be swallowed whole, like large paper shapes, crayon drawings and big stickers.
- Count small items out and count them back in.
- Store them in a closed container on a high shelf.
- Sweep the floor after crafting if a baby or toddler lives in the home.
Glitter and fine powders
Loose glitter can get into eyes and is hard to clean up. If you use it, choose a glitter glue so it stays put, or skip it and use shiny paper or foil scraps cut into shapes. If something gets in an eye, do not let the child rub it. Rinse gently with clean water and call your doctor or poison control center if it still hurts.
A safe crafting setup
- A cleared table with a washable cover or old newspaper.
- Good light, so small hands can see the line they are cutting.
- An adult nearby whenever scissors or small parts are out.
- A drying spot away from where food is made.
- A sink or wipes for clean hands afterward.
Reading craft labels
Art and craft products often carry age guidance and safety statements. In the US, a seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute shows that a product has been reviewed by a toxicologist. That review is useful, but it does not replace supervision. Follow the age range and directions on each package, and if you have questions about a specific product, the maker's contact details are usually on the label.
See the materials guide for which glue and paper to choose, and crafts by age for what to hand over and when.