I have redesigned and relocated our art space more times than I can even recall. I have tried free access to all the supplies on an Art Cart. I have tried a shelf with individual activities contained on trays. I have set up a place for art in my office, in the playroom and as of now in our dining room. This is where it has been the longest and I suspect is where it will remain for quite a few years. The dining room becomes messy after meals and already requires more clean up than any other room in my home on a daily basis, so adding the art shelf to the room did not increase the need to clean up. The kids have free access to majority of our materials (although some are on a rotation), and I occasionally provide a tray activity which is designed to engage a particular skill. Occasionally I add a thematic activity or two but I aim to keep the activities as process based as possible. The goal is for the children to be experimenting, learning, and expressing their creativity. Sometimes it can be a challenge to provide the variety that I want to provide to my eldest when his younger sister, and my younger home daycare children are also using the space. What I have found the most helpful is utilizing height. The scissors, more expensive paints, and anything sharp I keep on the highest shelves where Mr Man can access them, but the toddlers need to ask me for assistance. The lower shelves contain plenty of materials suitable to the toddlers to use whenever they please!