A complete list of kids art supplies and the best gift ideas for young artists
Looking for an artsy gift for a child? Not sure which kids arts and craft supplies to purchase, or which kids art supplies get used the most? This is a complete list of our favorite kids craft supplies and all the best gift ideas for artsy kids.
Kids love to create and there is so much learning to be had in creating artwork. We love to create art at home with so many different mediums but there are few kids craft supplies that we always have on hand.
The best kids art supplies are open ended and can be used for creating on a whim. While I love craft kits, keeping the basic kids art supplies on hand is always the best idea and they are the art supplies that get used time and time again by all ages.
As your young artists grow they will find the arts and craft supplies that they prefer but giving them access to many different art utensils and craft supplies is the best way for them to learn what they prefer and create all kinds of different artwork.
With children of all ages in our house we have quite the variety of kids craft supplies and at each stage they prefer something different.
As we introduced art supplies to our children we keep in mind their fine motor abilities as well as their attention span for sitting and creating. A young toddler or preschooler needs very different art supplies than a teenager looking to engage more adult arts and crafts.
Kids Art Supplies for Toddlers
Toddlers love to create but without the right craft supplies and art tools they can get frustrated and give up.
Starting young children out with Finger paints is always a good idea. Painting with their hands gives them full control and provides a sensory experience. Happlee provides a wonderful non-toxic version of fingerpaints.
Egg Shaped crayons are great for toddlers – they provide a palm grip so that the small hands can hold them.
Honeystix are a unique product made just for tots. They are 100% beewwax crayons in a large size making them both safe for young children and designed so that they are easier to hold.
Kids Art Supplies for Preschool
Dot markers are a great next step art supply for preschool. The large size of the marker makes it easy for them to hold and control.
Tripod Markers are the perfect craft supply for preschool because of their triangle shape. This shape promotes correct pencil grip to help them advance to the next stage.
Of course preschoolers love to finger paint also, and are maybe ready for more advanced finger painting.
Since you are introducing more art supplies to the preschoolers, having an art smock and a sturdy art easel is definitely a must at this age!
Kids Art Supplies for Elementary Aged
As the children progress and are able to control pencils, paper and scissors the elementary age is the time to introduce all of your favorite art supplies!
At this age they are ready for regular crayons, colored pencils and watercolors.
Washable tempera paints are another great art supply for the elementary ages.
At this age, a fun gift idea might be a full art set that contains all the fun products I’ve listed above. A table top easel is also a great idea now that they are old enough to sit and create.
Kids Art Supplies for Teens
Once your budding artists have hit the tween and teen ages they are ready for more adult art supplies.
A real easel and canvases are great to introduce at this age.
Prismacolor makes fantastic colored pencils that are a much higher quality but still in a good price range.
A beautiful set of watercolors and watercolor paper is another great idea or Watercolor brush pens to start lettering.
If your teens enjoy painting on canvas you may want to add a great set of brushes, acrylic paints, and a paint pallet to their art supplies.
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