Best Gifts for Kids Who Love to Make Art
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Gift Guides Open-Ended Art Supplies, Creative Materials & Tools for All Ages
Kids who love to make art need access to sturdy basic materials, not just kits. They're creators, experimenters, and makers who need access to quality supplies that let them bring their ideas to life. Art for kids isn’t about the finished product—it's about self-expression, fine motor development, creative problem-solving, and the confidence that comes from making something that didn't exist before. This guide features open-ended art supplies, sturdy tools, and smart storage solutions that invite independent creation and grow with your child through years of artistic exploration.
WHAT CAN I HELP YOU FIND?Open-Ended Art Supplies
Quality Art Tools That Work
Paper & Painting Supplies
Collage & Mixed Media Materials
Art Supply Storage & Organization
Stickers & Embellishments
Open-Ended Supplies
Ditch the craft boxes that pile up and get half-used. Replace them with a supply of sturdy, open-ended supplies that will keep them creating all day long.
Assorted size and color pom poms for arts and crafts, including glitter pom poms and wiggle eyes in a jar.Why I chose it: Pom poms are the ultimate open-ended craft supply. They become snowballs, flowers, monster fur, ice cream toppings, or whatever the project demands. This bulk supply means you're never rationing them, and kids can create freely without worry.
Natural feathers for DIY crafts in assorted colors.Why I chose it: The texture and movement of real feathers add something special to art projects. Kids use them for collages, painting tools, sensory bins, or just to admire. They're beautiful, tactile, and invite exploration.
Heart, star, and round shaped gems for arts and crafts.Why I chose it: Jewels make everything feel fancy. A plain cardboard box becomes a treasure chest. A paper crown becomes royal. These little gems turn ordinary projects into something kids are proud to display or gift.
Confetti for party, school decor, card making, collage, and scrapbooking.Why I chose it: Pre-cut shapes eliminate the frustration of cutting for younger kids while still giving them creative control over composition and design. Perfect for cards, collages, and spontaneous creating.
5. Hygloss Products Bleeding Tissue Paper Squares
1-inch squares in 20 assorted colors for arts and crafts, DIY projects, scrapbooking, and greeting cards—2400 squares.Why I chose it: Bleeding tissue paper is magic. Add water and watch colors blend and spread. It's process art at its finest—beautiful results with room for experimentation and surprise.
6. Wiggle Eyes
Self-adhesive googly eyes in assorted sizes.Why I chose it: Everything becomes a character with googly eyes. Rocks, boxes, drawings, pinecones—instant personality. These are the supply that turns a craft into a friend.
Quality Art Tools That Work
Replace flimsy fake scissors with ones that cut and you'll stop hearing frustrated whines to help them cut.
Real scissors that actually cut paper without cutting fingers. When kids have scissors that work for their hand size and skill level, they can be independent in their creating. No more "Mom, can you cut this?" every three minutes.
2. Electric Pencil Sharpener
A good pencil sharpener changes everything. No more broken tips, no more frustration, no more asking for help. This one is quiet, fast, and built to last through years of heavy use. Kids can sharpen and get back to creating.
Classic, reliable, and washable. These markers deliver bold color and work on the first try, every time. Stock up so you're never searching for a marker that isn't dried out.
Crayons are forgiving, portable, and timeless. Every kid needs a fresh box, and having extras means you can say yes to coloring without worrying about broken nubs.
Washable painting brushes for toddlers—foam roller, sponge, early learning toys for arts and crafts. Why I chose it: Variety matters. Different brush shapes create different effects, which keeps kids experimenting and engaged. These are chunky enough for little hands and create satisfying marks every time.
Round and flat preschool paint brushes for washable paint and acrylic paint for toddlers—10 pieces. Why I chose it: Chubby brushes are easier to grip and control, which means less frustration and more successful painting. When tools work with their developmental stage, kids can focus on creating instead of struggling.
7. 3pcs Rubber Rollers Brayer Set
Brayer rollers for crafting, ink roller set with comfort grip for printmaking, crafts, and stamping.
Why I chose it: Rollers add a new dimension to art—smooth, even color coverage for printmaking or just satisfying sensory input as they roll paint across paper. It's a different way to make marks, which keeps art fresh and exciting.
8. Colorful Masking Tape
Why I chose it: Masking tape is one of the most versatile art supplies. Kids use it to attach, make costumes for dolls, create roads on the floor, label their creations, or just peel and stick for the sensory satisfaction. Having multiple colors and an easy dispenser means they can access it independently and use it generously.
9. Crayola Super Tips Marker Set (100ct)
Why I chose it: 100 vibrant colors in one set means never running out mid-project. Great for kids who want variety without you buying five separate packs.
10. Jar Melo 24 Colors Mechanical Colored Pencils
Why I chose it: No sharpening required, so kids can keep creating without stopping to hunt down a sharpener.
Paper & Painting Supplies
Assorted colors and textures for crafting and art projects.
Why I chose it: Quality paper makes a difference. Colors are richer, textures are more interesting, and finished projects look more impressive. It's the difference between "I made something" and "I made something I'm proud of."
2. Fadeless Bulletin Board Paper
Fade-resistant paper for classroom decor, 48" x 50', white, 1 roll.
Why I chose it: A big roll of paper is freedom. Trace bodies, create murals, wrap presents, make banners—it's the backdrop for a thousand ideas. And it won't fade, so finished work stays vibrant.
Adhesive covering for laminating, protecting, and creating.
Why I chose it: Contact paper turns temporary art into keepsakes. It also creates sticky canvases for nature collages, tissue paper designs, or toddler sticker projects. Peel, stick, create—endlessly versatile.
Set of 6 in assorted fluorescent colors, 1 11/16 x 5/8 inch.
Why I chose it: Paint cakes are less messy than bottles and perfect for quick art sessions. Add water, paint, done. These fluorescent colors are vibrant and exciting—special enough to make art time feel like an event.
5. Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks
24 colors, washable paint sticks for kids—non-toxic, quick drying, allergen free, comes in classic, metallic, and neon colors.
Why I chose it: Paint without the mess, brushes, or water. These sticks go on smooth, dry in 90 seconds, and deliver bold color. Perfect for kids who want to paint but you don't want the full setup (or the hour of cleanup).
16 oz bottles, pack of 6 in assorted colors.
Why I chose it: When you need real paint for real projects, this is it. Refillable, mixable, and richly pigmented. This is the supply you keep coming back to because it just works.
8 oz bottles, pack of 6.
Why I chose it: Liquid watercolors are brilliant and versatile—use them for painting, dyeing, sensory bins, or science experiments. A few drops go a long way, and the colors are stunning.
8. Jack Richeson Mini Tempera Fluorescent 6 Color Set
Why I chose it: A bold, punchy palette that makes ordinary painting sessions feel special.
9. Hapikalor Watercolor Paper Pad
Why I chose it: Proper watercolor paper holds up to wet techniques without buckling, so results actually look good.
Collage & Mixed Media Materials
Quick dry tacky glue pens, classroom supplies for DIY arts and crafts projects.
Why I chose it: Glue sticks that actually stick and don't dry out after two uses. When you have a bulk supply, kids can glue freely without you rationing every stick. Less "is there more glue?" and more creating.
2. Buttons
Why I chose it: Buttons are tactile treasure. Kids sort them, glue them into mosaics, use them for counting and patterns, or incorporate them into mixed media projects. Having a huge stash means they can use them lavishly without you worrying about running out.
A-Z acrylic bubble letter beads for crafts, keychains, and bag charms.
Why I chose it: Letter beads add a personalization element that regular craft materials can't. Kids spell names, make bracelets, or create their own word art—it's collage with a literacy twist built right in.
Stickers & Embellishments
A solid sticker supply will keep toddlers through teens creating. Toss some out on the table with a few pieces of cardboard or paper and they'll stop begging for screens and start creating.
Self-adhesive googly eyes in assorted sizes.
Why I chose it: (Already listed above, but can repeat here if you want stickers as its own category)
Heart, star, and round-shaped gems for arts and crafts.
3. Dot Stickers
Toddlers peel and stick. Preschoolers create patterns and designs. Older kids use them for organizing, labeling, or turning them into characters and scenes. They're substantial enough to feel special and versatile enough to use in a thousand ways.
Paper & Painting Supplies
Bulk paper means freedom. When you have a big stack, kids can draw freely without you worrying about waste. It's the difference between "make it count" and "try again if you want to."
2. Graph Paper
Graph paper opens up new creative possibilities—pixel art, building plans, patterns, and precise designs. Older kids especially love the structure it provides for planning and creating with intention.
3. Newsprint Handwriting Paper
Why I chose it: For kids learning to draw and write, this paper provides the structure they need—space for a picture and lines for writing. It turns "tell me a story" into "write and draw your story."
Kids use these colored cards for mini art, ticket making, mini books, and anything else thay can think of. The small size makes it perfect for quick creations without the overwhelm of a big blank page.
5. Mini Coloring Book for Adults
Why I chose it: Intricate designs give older kids and tweens a more advanced coloring challenge than typical kids' books offer. It's a great option for kids who've outgrown simple coloring pages but still love the focus and calm of coloring.
Art Supply Storage & Organization
Butcher Tray
Why I chose it: Heavy-duty and contains the mess for clay, paint, or any wet-media project. It's the difference between "creative chaos" and "creative chaos with boundaries." One tray corrals everything so cleanup is fast and surfaces stay protected.Lipstick Organizer, Clear Plastic Lip Gloss Holder with 24 Slots (MOSIKER)
Why I chose it: Repurposed for art supplies, this clear divided tray is perfect for corralling markers, colored pencils, or paintbrushes upright so kids can see and grab exactly what they need. No more digging through a jumbled bin.QPEY Acrylic Pen Holder, 4 Compartments
Why I chose it: A simple sectioned holder keeps pencils, markers, and brushes separated and visible instead of tangled together. Clear acrylic means kids can find their favorite color at a glance.Whitmor 6-Section Clear Drawer Organizer
Why I chose it: Perfect for smaller supplies like stickers, gems, or beads that tend to spill and mix. Each section keeps materials sorted, so setup and cleanup take seconds instead of turning into a scavenger hunt.Vtopmart 25 PCS Clear Plastic Drawer Organizers Set (4-Size)
Why I chose it: With four different tray sizes in one set, this fits everything from tiny embellishments to bulkier tools in one drawer. It's the kind of system that actually keeps a busy art station organized long-term, not just for a week.
Clay & Sculpting
Peacepeo Polymer Clay Kit (235 Pcs, 110 Colors)
Why I chose it: A full rainbow of colors means kids can mix, blend, and sculpt without ever running out of a shade they need. It's the kind of supply that turns "I'm bored" into an hour of quiet, focused creating.Jar Melo Air Dry Clay Kit (12 Colors, w/ Storage Box)
Why I chose it: No oven, no kiln, no mess to bake—just shape it and let it dry. The included storage box keeps colors from drying out between projects, so one kit lasts through months of sculpting.Sculpd Air Dry Clay Glaze
Why I chose it: This is what takes a clay project from "kid craft" to "finished piece." A glossy, protective finish makes creations more durable and gives kids a sense of pride in a truly completed piece.Polymer Clay Press Machine
Why I chose it: A pasta-style roller for clay means even, consistent sheets every time—no uneven lumps or air bubbles. It's a tool that makes advanced clay techniques accessible to younger hands.Magnets for Crafts
Why I chose it: A simple supply with endless uses — kids embed them in clay creations, use them for sensory play, or turn any craft into a functional magnet for the fridge. It's the small addition that makes a project feel finished and usable.
Choosing the Right Gift for Your Young Artist
Kids who love to make art don't need more kits with instructions and pre-cut pieces. They need materials—real supplies that let them experiment, create, and bring their ideas to life. Art is where kids develop fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, color theory, and the confidence that comes from making something uniquely theirs. The supplies in this guide aren't single-use—they're the building blocks of a creative practice that grows with your child. A jar of pom poms becomes a hundred different projects. A set of quality brushes lasts through years of paintings. Open-ended supplies mean open-ended possibilities. When you stock a simple art supply, you're not just preventing boredom—you're giving your child permission to create, experiment, fail, try again, and discover what happens when they trust their own ideas. That's the kind of play that shapes who they become.