Source for kids' craft paper?

I've currently been using freezer paper for my son's crayon time. I bought it for fingerpainting, but it's been getting more use with crayons lately. I like being able to pull off a large section which I tape to the kitchen table. But I'm sure there's got to be a cheaper alternative to freezer paper. I've thought about unprinted newspaper rolls, but aren't those very big? I don't have the storage space for a huge roll of paper, and I'm afraid if it's too cumbersome I wouldn't want to deal with it.

So...any suggestions? I'd like either a modest sized roll of plain, white paper or very large sheets of precut paper.

What do you consider a "huge" roll? We bought a roll of white butcher paper at Sams Club and it has turned out to be just the right size for us. It is about 1 1/2 or 2 feet high and has a ton of paper. We use it for most art and craft projects.

If you want it, but don't have a Sam's membership, PM me and I'll pick some up for you.

I think I bought a roll of that at Sam's once; we used it to wrap stuff when we moved into our house. That roll was on the large side and weighed a lot. I know it would probably be my cheapest option, but I just can't figure out how to store it so that it's handy to use. I may have to break down & get it, though, if I can't come up with another idea.

Actually...I would think that old roll is lying around here somewhere! Now I've got to go look for it. :)

I hope you find it. We stuck ours in our laundry room and I go in there and tear a piece or two off every day. My kids don't mind it if it is torn on the ends and I've found that it tears quite nicely ;) Good luck with your paper search!

If you (or your husband) are a little handy, I saw an idea for a craft table using those rolls of paper from Sams. Take an old, second hand coffee table. Attach a stip of canvas or heavy duty fabric (1 inch or so wide) to each corner of the narrow end of the table; then fold each strip in half to form a loop (so you have two loops hanging from the end of the table, picture a gynocologist table with stirrups). Have a dowel cut 4 inches longer than the length of the paper roll. Slip the dowel into the paper roll, then hang it from the two loops. On the other end of the table staple gun a piece of elastic across the width of the table, start from under one edge to the underside of the opposite edge. This is to hold the paper. Then just pull the paper across the table, secure the end under the elastic, and let the kiddos draw away! You have a craft table and a place to store the paper, all in one.
I haven't done this myself, no time and my kids were too young, but now that Owen is 2 and a budding artist I plan to make one....when I can steal the time from somewhere :)

That's interesting, Abbi! I need to save that idea; I'm sure my hubby could make that if he wanted. :)

We went to Sam's yesterday & bought another roll of the butcher paper, since I haven't found our old one yet. I decided to store ours in the laundry room, too. Josh has already "decorated" the first piece.

I don't know about here in Dallas, but in Corpus Christi you could get the rolls of blank, unused paper that they can't use because the rolls have gotten too small to run a full print job on. They would sell them for $8 and it was still a lot of paper to draw on. Of course you can get a picture of the width from how long the newspaper is when you open it up.

Abbi, Thanks for sharing this idea. I am going to have to remember this and have dh make one for me.

I was just at Sams and in their craft/office section they sell a box of 3 good sized (but not huge) rolls of brown Kraft paper. If your little guy is not picky about it being white, that may be good for you guys.

you can call the newspaper. they have the ends of the rolls of blank newsprint that are too small to use. they'll give them to you free.

We called the Dallas Morning News and got rolls free from their pulbishing plant out on Coit and Plano Pkwy. You have to call ahead and pick it up on Monday before noon. They say they have a lot of people call and never pick it up. I got rolls last year and haven't finished one! Gave the others away....

Good luck..it is great fun.