Colouring supplies for a Sunday school class

You don't need much to run a good colouring session, but having enough of the right things stops a quiet ten minutes turning into a queue for the red crayon. This is a checklist based on what a typical mixed-age group needs. Adjust it for your numbers and your budget.

For the youngest children

Chunky, washable crayons are the safest choice. They're easy to hold, hard to snap and forgiving on church tables. Choose the Little ones version of each sheet, which has big shapes and thick lines.

For older children

Colouring pencils give more control on detailed sheets, and they last for years if they're kept sharp. Felt-tips are popular, but choose washable ones and put paper underneath, since they can mark through onto tables.

Paper and printing

Ordinary printer paper is fine for most weeks. Use white card for anything you want to hang up or turn into a craft. If you print for a whole class, printing a week ahead means a low ink warning won't catch you out on Sunday morning.

Keeping it tidy

• Keep one tub of crayons per table, rather than one big box for the whole room.
• Sort supplies by age group, so older children's pencils stay sharp.
• Laminate a few favourite sheets and use wipe-clean pens for a reusable activity.
• Keep a folder of spare sheets for visitors and early finishers.