Are you buying a gift for an artsy kid? This gift guide is full of the best art supplies for kids. From toddler safe materials to supplies for elementary-aged artists, explore this complete list of art supplies that make fantastic presents.
Why I often gift art supplies
I love gifting art supplies. It’s one of my favorite gifts to include for kids – and this was instilled by my Mom who insisted there’s no better gift in childhood than a new box of crayons or a fresh set of watercolors.
It’s like gifting possibilities.
Whether you deeply know the child you are buying for or it’s a new classmate, art supplies are a great equalizer: all kids see the joy in art supplies.
As you go about your gift buying – whether for holidays or birthday parties – think about tossing in a few new or never tried before art supplies.
What art supplies for kids are on this list?
This list is packed with some truly special art supplies. While I love a classic box of Crayolas, the items here go well beyond the basics.
These are unique, exciting art supplies that cater to all different stages of artistic development. Whether it’s something to help a child explore textures or something to encourage imaginative projects, each item is here to inspire creativity.
Gifting art supplies can unlock the magic that’s already inside a child – giving them the tools to bring their ideas to life in ways they may not have tried before.
This list is packed with some truly special art supplies. While I love a classic box of Crayolas, the items here go well beyond the basics.
These are unique, exciting art supplies that cater to all different stages of artistic development. Whether it’s something to help a child explore textures or something to encourage imaginative projects, each item is here to inspire creativity.
Gifting art supplies can unlock the magic that’s already inside a child – giving them the tools to bring their ideas to life in ways they may not have tried before.
The Busy Toddler list of the best art supplies for kids
This list is divided into sections:
- Art books
- Coloring supplies
- Paints
- Various paper and canvases
- Miscellaneous art supplies.
Make sure to scroll through each section to find the right art supply for your artist.
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Art Books for Kids
The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia
Part of loving art is knowing art – and this is a fabulous book for helping kids stumble upon famous works of art. It’s a great book to have for all kids, but especially those who are art-prone.
A Child’s Introduction to Art
Another option for introducing kids to works for art – I can’t stress enough how important it is to get things in front of children and let them build context, knowledge, and memories around them.
Coloring Supplies
Gel Crayons
These are great: think slick, easy to use crayons with an “is it paint? Is it crayon? Is it marker?” like quality. One friend said they’re like coloring with lipstick and that is totally accurate.
Fancy Markers
Shopping for a big kid? May I suggest some big kid, double sided markers? These are really nice, and such a gorgeous step up from “standard” markers.
Watercolor Crayons
These are the cooooooolest. You draw with them like a regular crayon but then paint over the top with water and it turns into watercolor paint. It’s such a neat art supply.
Mr. Sketch Markers
Still awesome. Still a great gift. Still want to lick the red one. Just being honest.
Mr. Sketch Gel Crayons
Continuing on the Mr. Sketch train, we also have these gel crayons by the same brand and they’re magnificent. This is one of (the?) most reached for coloring supply at our house.
Alcohol-based Markers
These are really cool “big kid” markers – very, very permanent. Very, very awesome. They are amazing to color with a help kids produce the coolest final product. These are also my favorite…
Magic Markers
Did you have these as a kid? You color with a marker than use a seemingly-white marker on top to reveal a new color. It is MIND BLOWING. These are so much better than the set I had as a kid, and my kids are obsessed.
Colored Pencils
This is a good set. Like a really good set. It’s not professional level, but it’s more than a normal kid set. If you have an artist on hand, upgrade their colored pencil set.
Kwik Sticks
These are so neat: tempera paint sticks and they are VERY cool. They create a great painting effect that all ages can be successful with.
Bees Wax Crayons
This are so nice to color with and they leave behind the smoothest color. Plus they have a triangular shape that makes them easy for little hands to hold.
Do-a-Dot Art
A modern day classic: these large BINGO-dauber style markers are a staple. We have had a set of these on hand since 2015 and I don’t see us stopping any time soon.
Oil Pastels
Ah, they’re just the coolest. Oil pastels are fantastic for art. School-ages kids will know these from the classroom and be tickled to have a set at-home.
Various Paints
Watercolor Paint and Brushes
A step up from the traditional kids watercolor set, as an adult – even I reach for this set. The colors are gorgeous, the brushes are great. I can’t recommend this set enough.
Acrylic Paint Set
When my older kids turned 6 and 8, they wanted to use “adult” paint. I got them a set of acrylics and it’s been so much fun to watch them create their art. *NOT FOR LITTLE KIDS – very, very permanent and not washable*
Liquid Watercolors
These changed my world this year! Dump a little into a cup and start painting right away. Here’s an activity idea so you can see the possibilities. No diluting needed (IYKYK).
Puff Paints
Puff paints are still just as cool as they were in the 90s. Period.
Washable Tempera
If it’s time for your family to move beyond poster paints and finger paints, this is the next step. Washable tempera paint is where it’s at. This is what I use for all my art activities and used as a classroom teacher. One year, Santa gifted this paint for my kids in their stockings.
Travel Watercolor Set
A very thoughtful gift for a budding artist, this travel watercolor set has been a huge hit for my daughter and many of her friends. We bought it when she was 7 at the recommendation of an 11 year old. It’s been two years and it’s truly a joy to own still.
Paper and Canvases
Friends Art Lab Banner
THE BEST! These 10 foot long banners are hand-drawn and printed on thick, slick paper (it doesn’t bleed through). They come in all styles, seasons, and holidays (I linked to the insect banner). The banners make a fantastic gift along with some art supplies.
Sketch Pad
Nothing like gifting some art AND the canvas to create on. Don’t miss giving kids some form of paper with their art gift (I like this sketch pad a lot).
Painting Canvases
When my kids starting using acrylic paint, they loved using them on canvas. We found that smaller canvases work better – these are 6×6.
Tracing Paper
Remember how cool tracing paper was when you were a kid? It’s still that cool. My kids obsess over this stuff, tracing everything from animals in books to Pokemon cards.
Little Blank Books
My kids love these. It’s a small blank book of possibilities and they get to write, draw, create, and make a story come to life. These are also awesome to travel with for kids who love art-on-the-go.
Watercolor Paper
I didn’t realize this was a must-have until I tried it: watercolor paper aka heavy paper that’s made for both watercolor and liquid watercolor. The paints absorb better on this paper and don’t bleed through. Highly, highly recommend.
Watercolor Journal
This is a small journal is perfect for budding painters that I love to point people to. My daughter loves this manageable way to carry around art and work on her paintings. It’s a great option for kids.
Palettes
Nothing feels fancier than using a palette. It’s a fact. I have no science behind that fact but it feels right. (These also help keep painting tidier and easier to manage here.)
Miscellaneous Art Supplies
Art Kit
I gifted this to my daughter two years ago Christmas and it’s still being used. In fact, it was such a hit, we gifted one to a neighbor boy who also still uses this 2 years later. It’s got just enough of everything and feels so important and fancy to kids.
Modeling Clay
Oh the possibilities of modeling clay! The simple joy and kids just love it. It’s so different than playing with play dough – and kids really enjoy the more “adult” feel of this supply.
Magic Clay
We love Magic Clay! Another option in the clay realm, but it’s a different, air dry texture and fun for kids to build with. This has been a fun change of clay pace for my kids.
Face Paint Sticks
Technically this counts as an art supply, right? We’ve loved owning these – they inspire so much dramatic play.
Traditional Face Paint
Traditional face painting has been all the rage the last two years with the kids I hang out with (ages 5-14). This kit has been a hit and kids keep coming back for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
This varies child to child. Some will enjoy painting at or before age 2. Some might not until much later. Let your child lead on painting (and arts and crafts) as they show you what they’re interested in. Not all children love arts and crafts – that’s fine!
I store supplies in two main spaces in our home (both have evolved overtime as my children have grown). As toddlers and preschoolers, our supplies were organized like this. Once they got older, we switched to art supplies in a closet where they could access them easier.
We display artwork as best we can, but about every month or so, I take down the art on display, and choose 1-2 special pieces to keep. Having been a teacher, I know how quickly art work adds up in storage. Each child has an art storage portfolio where I put the really important stuff. The rest…yes, I recycle.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie has written two home learning curricula, Playing Preschool and Branches. Her parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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