Adult Scissors. Only bring safety scissors. Unless your children are all over the age of ten, you don’t want adult scissors around. The younger ones could get their hands on them and seriously hurt themselves. If you want to bring them to cut difficult materials, such as pipe cleaners or thick cardboard, put them up high and only bring them down when you are using them then replace them promptly.
Glitter. Glitter may seem harmless, and quite fun, but it is not fun afterwards. Glitter gets in the carpet, clothes, hair, and anywhere else in the house. This could make the parents angry. First of all, for glitter you need to use bottled glue usually (glue sticks are not tacky enough, most of them) and that can turn into a mess all by itself. But when you add the sticky material and tiny flakes of metallic paper together, you usually get a mess. Sometimes, with children ten or over, you can bring glitter. But never bring it on your first job. Get to know the children and the family before even thinking about bringing it.
Bottled glue and super glue. Like I said above about the glitter, this is not a good idea. For most projects glue sticks will work. But for bigger projects, especially ones that use materials other than paper, you will need a bottle of glue. Do not let the children use the bottle without supervision from you unless they are under nine or if you feel they are responsible enough to do so. See Art Basics part I for “the Secret of Gluing”
Markers. Unless they are washable, don’t bring them. This way if they get on hands or clothing, it will wash out. If you have little ones, under eight or so, don’t bring them at all. The marker is likely to get o the walls, table, floor, carpet, etc. Even washable markers sometimes don’t come out of carpet or walls. The youngest ones are also likely to put them in their mouths, which is not good for them.
Paint. Unless you have permission from the parents and feel that the children are well behaved enough to use it correctly, don’t bring it. Then only bring washable, non-toxic paint. Before you bring out the paint, lay down the rules, and have the children to agree to them before you let them paint. Otherwise it is likely to go everywhere, just like the markers and glitter.
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