The Best Arts and Craft Kits for Kids at Every Age and Stage

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With eight years of parenting under my belt, I know that aside from family board games, one of the best playtime insurance policies is a well-stocked craft closet. When inclement weather cancels my best-laid park plans or a low-grade fever keeps our family homebound, it’s helpful to have a few trusted hands-on activities I can whip out at a moment’s notice that will keep my kiddos entertained while also fostering their creativity.

As much as I’ve tried to be the DIY parent of Pinterest’s dreams, I’ve discovered the benefits of ready-made arts and crafts kits. They’re ideal options for those strapped for time but who want to limit screentime on tablets, and they’re the perfect entry for those with limited school supplies or who don’t know a pipe cleaner from a glitter glue stick. What’s more, many are made to help your budding Picasso learn more skills than you’d ever expect.

I consulted a childhood development expert and a teacher to get their recommendations for the best crafts for kids on the market right now. I also included some of my kiddo's personal favorites, ensuring our picks are kid-approved, too. Read on for our top ten best crafts for kids to gift to your little ones for hours of entertainment.

Model Magic Modeling Clay

There’s a lot to love about sculpting in general. It enhances sensory development, and manipulating clay encourages spatial awareness and problem-solving.

And when it comes to clay, Crayola’s non-toxic Model Magic clay is the best of the best. “It’s lightweight, soft, and more pliable compared to traditional clay, which makes it easy for young children to manipulate and shape,” says Katilynn Blyth, a childhood development expert and founder of Happy Day Play, a data-driven resource for early learning.

Although it comes in a variety of vibrant colors that can be mixed together to create new shades, it can also be painted with tempera or acrylic paints once dry—an additional easy-to-execute layer of creativity!

For me, Model Magic is my go-to clay even still. Sure, my older kids can’t create a ton of fine details, but we all still appreciate that there’s no need for me to “bake” the creations in the oven—or, even more impossible, fire them in a kiln. Because the Model Magic air dries, creations can be preserved and displayed without any additional steps or equipment.

Waxed Yarn

There aren’t many affordable craft projects your kids can tackle in their car seats, on a plane, at a restaurant, or in a waiting room. WikkiStix is a charming exception.

Made of non-toxic, food-grade wax—like that used in bubble gum and lipstick!—and hand-knitting yarn, WikkiStix provides endless possibilities for play. “Children can bend, twist, and shape the sticks into various forms,” Blyth says. “Unlike many traditional craft materials, they do not require glue, scissors, or any additional adhesive to stick together.” Just a little fingertip pressure is all it takes!

WikkiStix has even been used as a fidget toy to help kids focus and as a classroom teaching tool: the sticks can be formed into letters, numbers, and shapes, which aids in early literacy. Its convenient take-along size and storage tube make this an easy inclusion in a tote bag or glove compartment. And the fact that it’s reusable—they can be peeled apart, reshaped, and repositioned multiple times—means you can rest assured you always have a craft project at your kid’s fingertips.

Finger Paints

Although Blyth recommends the ideal “sensory experience” that comes with finger painting, it can seem daunting to let your toddler explore this past time when they seem most interested in eating the materials. When I was at this stage, I all but forbade finger painting unless I was in just the right emotional state—and had the quick reflexes necessary to keep my one-year-old from sticking her paint-covered fingers in her mouth.

Veggie Baby now has us covered. The eco-friendly finger paints are crafted with natural, organic vegetables, which makes them fun, easy to use, and even edible. “Even if children accidentally consume small amounts of the paint while exploring with their fingers, it’s considered safe,” Blyth says.

They come in powder form—just add two teaspoons of water to a teaspoon of the “paint.” The extra step is well worth it when you see the rich, natural colors that come through. It’s a truly great option for those who want to make sustainability a priority and reduce their family’s environmental impact.

Hand Puppet Making Kit

I’ve long discovered that any craft involving felt is an instant win. The texture offers a different sensory experience compared to more common materials, and my kids have enjoyed working with the fabric at nearly every age. This hand puppet kit is an easy way to get in on the felt action.

Not only that, but it offers no shortage of creative design combinations for kids to explore. Because gluing felt isn’t always the easiest, this kit provides convenient sticky dots to use — though you may need to break out the glue gun for a more permanent solution. Having said that, this craft project will likely work best as a family activity ,with parents helping with the construction process or even creating their own puppets alongside their kids.

The best benefit of spending time making hand puppets? It’s not over when the project is complete. “Hand puppets offer opportunities for social interaction and emotional expression,” Blyth says. “Once the puppets are created, children can use them for storytelling and role-playing, which fosters communication skills, encourages empathy, and helps children express their thoughts through play.”

Window Glitter Paint Suncatchers

Window paint suncatchers may seem like a straightforward art project, but they offer a secret STEM learning opportunity. “In addition to learning about color mixing, children can explore the science behind suncatchers and observe how different colors interact with sunlight and create colorful patterns throughout the room,” Blyth says.

My kids, ages 6 and 8, both loved creating a dozen TOYLI suncatchers, but it’s definitely more of a thrill for those wanting to improve their painting skills. The small size and narrow sections, coupled with the thin window paint, require precise painting, which can serve as great practice if they’re up for the challenge. They can opt to use the bottles alone, but Blyth suggests offering a few brushes. “As they handle the paintbrush and apply paint to the designated areas, they refine their grip, finger control, and hand movements,” Blyth says.

Whatever the result, they make great gifts to classmates, and unlike many crafts, if they all stay in your house, they at least don’t take up any counter space!

Fuse Bead Super Kit

I was obsessed with Perler beads — small, plastic beads arranged on a pegboard that are then ironed and melted into a solid design — as a kid. Although you can thankfully still snag a tub of them from your local craft store (nostalgia alert!), this “off-brand” version more than suffices.

Danielle Bettmann, a certified parenting coach and former elementary school teacher, prefers this Fuse Bead kit because it comes with tweezers for boosting fine motor skills and because its color-separated organization of beads makes for a more enjoyable experience while still being open-ended.

“There’s a delicate balance to consider of needing enough guidance to be inspired,” she says. “Craft kits with thousands of different materials are great, but they can also make a child feel overwhelmed about where to even start. These beads typically come with a few shape molds and color templates, or a booklet of ideas, to get them going while leaving the end result 100% up to them.”

Deluxe Set

Spirographs offer a perfect combination of art and science. As children create their designs, the simple plastic tools introduce them to basic geometric concepts, such as symmetry, shapes, and patterns. “They can observe the principles of rotation, angles, and curves,” Blyth says. “This hands-on experience with geometry helps develop a visual understanding of mathematical concepts.”

If that seems like a lot for young minds to digest, trust me: It’s not. I had a spirograph set when I was a kid, and more than the intricate designs I’d create, I most remember how peaceful it made me feel. The repetitive nature of the tool has a calm, soothing effect. Blyth has observed this benefit as well: “Children can engage in this activity to relax, unwind, and practice mindfulness, and it can allow them to focus on the present moment and find a sense of tranquility.”

Beyond that, the end products are legitimately breathtaking without being carbon copies of what’s pictured on the box. Each design is distinct every single time.

Rainbow Scratch Paper Art Set

Looking to create something from scratch? If coloring books feel a bit too unimaginative, Rainbow Scratch Paper is the perfect antidote. The kit comes with 50 sheets of black paper, and as you scratch away the coating with a wooden stick stylus, your design is revealed underneath in a rainbow of colors. The result is a unique stained-glass effect.

Bettmann recommends Rainbow Scratch Paper because of its “satisfying, open-ended process” and because it provides an element of surprise. “I also love when the product becomes a ‘new frontier’ on which to inspire creativity,” she said, noting that the scratch paper serves as a new modality to use an existing skill. “Like drawing on a new surface with a new tool.”

Also included in the set are a handful of stencils—these came in handy with my kids, who, when first presented with the scratch paper, were stumped on what to create.

Spill-Proof Paint Cups

When your kids are ready to graduate from finger painting to holding a paintbrush, it can feel like you’ve traded one messy, stressful craft time activity for another. Melissa & Doug, known for its high-quality, developmentally-focused toys, has a better solution with these spill-proof paint cups.

This four-pack is a perfect starter kit: Each cup features a specially designed lid that prevents the paint from spilling or dripping out of the cup, even if it’s knocked over. Plus, they have sealable tops for easy cleanup and sustainable storage.

Young painters benefit from them, too.

“They enable young children to engage in painting with greater independence,” Blyth says. “The cups are easy to hold, and the lids allow them to dip brushes or sponges into the paint without adult assistance, which promotes autonomy and encourages self-directed creative exploration.”

Made by Me Easy-to-Knot Quilt Making Kit

When we received this Made by Me quilting kit as a gift, I was certain it was out of my then-six-year-old’s league. This no-sew option proved much easier to use than expected while still offering fun challenges for my kiddo.

Younger kids can stick to the basic knot tie-and-tuck method, but for those ready for more, the brand suggests four different knotting techniques to try—there’s even a short-yet-helpful YouTube video tutorial on each one, from a double-weave to a zig-zag pull to a braided style.

With those different knotting options and seven different colors among the pre-cut fabric squares, the design of the finished product—a patchwork fleece blanket they can actually use—is entirely up to the crafter.

“I love when products provide a wide range of examples and possible outcomes, where the child can make a number of choices to individualize the end result,” Bettman says. “The more unique the craft, the more ‘valuable’ the art!”

It was truly a foundational craft that led to more sewing projects and, eventually, work with a needle and thread, too!

What to Consider

Quality crafting kits can provide a wide range of age-appropriate learning experiences for young children.

“Craft-based products can promote their cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development,” says Blyth. From critical thinking skills that come with following instructions to improved hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills that come from cutting with scissors or holding paint brushes, she says craft projects are paramount for kids ages 1 to 10.

Want to teach patience and perseverance? Tackle a craft. Trying to increase their attention span? You guessed it: crafts can help — and Bettmann agrees. “It feels like play, and yet they’re learning so much,” she tells Best Products.

Still, not all craft projects are suitable for all children. There are a few key factors parents should consider before buying up an entire craft aisle.

Age Appropriateness
Safety is crucial with the youngest crafters, so ensure materials are non-toxic and not potential choking hazards. “Consider the age range specified by the manufacturer to ensure the craft is suitable for your child’s developmental stage,” Blyth says. Even then, use your best judgment, especially if you want your child to take on a project with minimal adult supervision. A thick book of instructions might mean it’s not the right fit.

Open-Endedness
Overall, Blyth recommends craft products that encourage open-ended exploration.“Kits that provide a starting point but leave room for personalization are wonderful for fostering imaginative thinking and teaching kids to make their own choices while crafting,” she says.

Bettmann notes that younger children, in particular, benefit from this type of process-oriented experience, like making slime, tie-dye, or collages.

This isn’t to say you should avoid all end-product-focused experiences. “As children get older, around 7 or 8, they will continue to benefit from open-ended crafting, but they may also have enough interest and attention span to create a specific end result,” Bettmann says. Paint-by-number sets and workbooks that demonstrate how to draw specific animals, for instance, are popular choices—for some.“Kids, especially those who are anxiety-prone or have perfectionist tendencies, can become defeated when their craft doesn’t look like the ‘perfect’ example on the box,” she warns, so be mindful of your child’s temperament when making your selection.

Quality and Durability
The best way to guarantee minimal tears is to make sure the craft can withstand your child’s handling and, ideally, repeated use. “Look for high-quality materials, and avoid products that are excessively flimsy or likely to break easily,” Blyth says. “This ensures a more enjoyable and long-lasting crafting experience.”

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