Our favorite art supplies for kids: The best supplies for creative activities at home
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Inside: Discover an awesome list of art supplies for kids that will bring hours of creative fun!
One of my favorite ways to encourage creativity at home is by having great art supplies easily available for my kids.
Over the years, we’ve tried so many different art materials—from basic crayons and markers to fun extras like gel crayons, paint sticks, and watercolor sets.
My eldest son has always loved drawing and painting, and now my youngest joins in the fun too!
We’ve discovered some amazing art supplies that have become our go-to favorites, and today I’m excited to share them with you!
Whether you’re looking to refresh your kids’ art stash, build a simple art kit, or set up an art station at home, this list will help you find the best supplies to spark creativity.
Creating an art kit for your kids
If you want to encourage your kids to create more often, setting up a simple art kit or art station is a great way to do it!
Here are some ideas to choose from:
- An art cart – A rolling cart makes it easy to keep supplies organized and accessible.
- An art caddy – A small caddy works great for younger kids or smaller spaces.
- A dedicated art space – If you have room, setting up a small table with supplies can be a wonderful way to inspire daily creativity.
Need inspiration? Get my guide on setting up an art cart here or an art caddy here.
We rotate the art supplies on our art cart regularly, depending on my son’s interests and the art activities he wants to try. Here are some of the supplies available in our cart:
And here is an art caddy I created for my youngest son to make his creative time more fun:
Now, let’s dive into the best art supplies to include in your child’s art kit!
Best art supplies for kids: Drawing supplies
Basic drawing supplies:
- washable markers
- crayons (and twistable crayons)
- sharpie markers (great for older kids)
More drawing supplies for kids:
- (1) World Colors Ecopencils – a set that includes both traditional colored pencils and skin tone pencils that are great for creating portraits
- (2) our favorite set of Colored Pencils – includes 48 lovely colors (we love this set as well)
- (3) Beeswax Crayons – great triangular-shaped crayons that don’t roll off the table and help with grip
- (4) Blendable Oil Pastels – soft and easy to use
- (5) Metallic Gel Crayon Set – fun for adding shimmer and working on large surfaces
- (6) Do A Dot Art! Markers – perfect for young kids (we used them in many learning activities when my son was younger)
Best art supplies for kids: Painting supplies
- (1) Connector Paint Box Watercolor Set – A beautiful set of 24 watercolors with a paintbrush
- (2) Opaque Watercolor Paint Set – Another favorite we use all the time
- (3) Spill Proof Paint Cups – A must for young kids to help avoid messes.
- (4) Paint sticks – Quick-drying, no-mess paint that kids can use without water or brushes (here is another great set of paint sticks)
- (5) Acrylic Paint – Perfect for older kids who want to explore more advanced painting
- (6) Crayola Washable Kids Paint – Great for learning color mixing and creative experiments.
Best art supplies for kids: Other supplies
These supplies make creative time even more fun for the kids!
- (1) Stickers – We love using them as art prompts!
- (2) Colored tissue paper squares – Great for collage art and suncatchers
- (3) Glitter glue – Adds a little sparkle (for ages 6+)
- (4) Eye Stickers – A fun alternative to googly eyes for crafts
- (5) Washi tape – Colorful tape that’s great for decorating and mixed-media projects
- (6) Stamps – We love the Melissa & Doug stamp sets the most.
Other fun materials we use all the time: glitter, yarn, shape paper punches, chalk markers, craft gems, and glitter paper.
Best art supplies for kids: Art paper (and an awesome art easel)
- (1) Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel – A fantastic addition to any creative space, with a chalkboard, dry-erase board, and paper roll
- (2) Sketchbooks – Great for kids who love to draw and keep all their artwork in one place
- (4) Drawing pad – Keeps artwork organized instead of loose sheets all over the house
- (5) Paint pad – Watercolor paper is perfect for painting projects.
You don’t need all of these supplies to start – just pick a few that match your child’s interests!
Tip: Rotate supplies every few months! Swapping out markers for paint sticks or adding new stickers keeps things fresh and exciting.
I’m always on the lookout for new creative materials, and I’ll update this list as we discover more favorites!
Have fun creating with your little ones!
