General question for parents of young artists

I’ve noticed my daughter’s amazing affinity for all things creative from a young age. She’ll be 4 in March, and her imagination and big ideas inspire me daily, though I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed keeping up! We’ve followed her interests—she’s made polymer clay pieces, jewelry, embroidery, drawings, paintings, and more.

Lately, she’s been spending hours in her art room painting, which she loves. We’ve talked about being responsible with her materials, like laying down protective barriers, cleaning her tools, and properly closing her paints. She’s really thoughtful about it, but she does go through a lot of supplies! She prefers acrylic paints at the moment because she’s discovered this technique of layering small pieces of paper and adhering them with paint for a “textured” appearance. Just my observation. We aren’t too concerned with the mess although it can be a bit tiring at times.

How do you fund your kids’ creative interests without breaking the bank? And how do you help them learn to use their materials wisely while still encouraging exploration and creativity? I want to give her the world but also teach her to value and care for the resources she has. Any tips would be appreciated!