The Newest, Coolest Art Supplies for Budding Artists
Art might not always be taught in schools more than one day a week, so many of us parents who want to raise creative kids like to encourage their inner artist back at home. That’s where investing in a few high-quality art supplies or art kits can really pay off — kids are happily occupied, able to express themselves in a new medium, and can feel proud of their results. If you want to check out more art ideas, browse our fun art gifts for kids of any age. There are also more affordable finds in our list of outdoor art kits.
These gifts are recommended best for preschoolers and above, so if this is your baby’s very first holiday season, see our suggestions for gifts for their first Christmas.
Art Supplies for Kids
All. The. Markers. This year, Crayola put out a monster set of 120 markers — 100 different colors of washable markers plus 20 of their Silly Scents markers. It’s probably no surprise that it already has more than 4,000 five-star Amazon ratings because artists ages 3 and up are inspired when they have this many colors to choose from.
Give your small fry an age-appropriate table for their art projects. Parents are going wild with the five-star reviews for The Play Table by the popular brand Lalo. This is an investment gift for sure, but one that’ll be used and loved for years. It’s meant for kids aged 12 months and up, but it’s best for kids who can use it independently so I’d start with toddlers and preschoolers. It looks adorably modern in your home, and there’s minimal assembly — you just attach four table legs with eight screws.
This is made of real-deal wood. It stands almost 43 inches high and weighs almost 25 pounds — it’s a legit art cart and work space for kids who love to paint and draw. One side has a magnetic whiteboard and the other has a black chalkboard; paper can be pulled down on either side for painting. We love that so many art supplies can be stored underneath, which saves space and also means that older kids can self-serve and get themselves started on a project with minimal help from you.
If you’re buying for a kid who just never stops drawing, doodling, and painting, this is the ultimate gift. This box is stuffed with premium adult-quality supplies including 24 gel pens, 10 glitter markers, 18 oil pastels, and 12 watercolor pastels, plus three pads of paper and much more (like stickers). They’ll absolutely love having this many supplies to work with!
For kids who say they’ve outgrown stickers and glitter markers, this extravagant set will thrill young artists aged 6 or older. There are 64 pieces including 24 premium colored pencils, 18 oil pastels, 12 washable markers, and more, including a paintbrush and paper.
This two-sided, 23-inch-long art smock will fit kids from age 4 to the preteen years. Pottery Barn Kids will personalize it with the child’s name for no extra cost, which is a great touch during the holidays. There are three pockets sewn into the front and the whole thing can be machine-washed and dried for easy cleanup.
Is your kid more of the crafty kind? This kit, for ages 6 and up, is packed with more than a thousand pieces for projects of all kinds — we’re talking Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, googly eyes, glittery paper, bead, and string — plus glue to help hold homemade ornaments and animal crafts together. We especially like that kids can make some friendship bracelets, as those are so popular right now.
Filling your artist’s stocking with all of these cool projects and supplies would be thrilling. We can also see just boxing these up as a fabulous stand-alone gift. There are some hard-to-find things like a sunprint kit and a DIY make-your-own-erasers project. There’s also an interesting 48-page “kids' drawing passport” full of ideas, space for journaling, little lessons about color theory, and more. Plus, there are temporary tattoos! And colored pencils!
Sculpting from clay is hard, IMO, but it’s something many artsy kids want to try. This beginning potter’s wheel encourages kids ages 8 and up to give it a spin. This is loud, messy work, so have a kid wear old clothes and ideally “work” in a garage, basement, or on a back porch where you don’t mind doing some cleanup. All that said, kids can be amazed when they create a pot from a lump of clay!
If your child frequently likes to paint, we like this Kidkraft table with drying racks on the side. There are two shallow storage compartments, two paint cups, and four deep storage spaces for supplies. A paper roll can be hung beneath the table and fed up onto the 25x50-inch work space. This does require some assembly and it’s suggested for ages 3 to 8.
Some children’s creativity revolves more around fashion. If your kid has Barbies or Barbie-sized dolls, they can create elaborate fairy outfits that will fit them with this kit. It’s got five pairs of fairy wings and instructions for your child to create tops and skirts that can be outlandishly decorated with flowers and sparkles. Scissors and plastic needles are included.
This is some next-level coloring for kids ages 7 and up. After using the six included markers to bring the four fantastical drawings to life, kids can slip on 3D glasses and see their artwork in a whole other dimension.
The Djeco brand has some seriously cool craft kits, but some are messy with sand and glitter. We like this one for ages 7 to 12 that lets kids employ sticky jeweled pieces to fill in jungle animals mosaic-style. A snake, frog, lioness, and bird come to shimmering life — and there’s no mess. Kids can do this in Grandma’s living room with no fear!
Scribble Scrubbies made my artistic little niece so happy from the time she was a preschooler, and it’s great for older kids, too. Kids can draw all over these animals, then rinse them clean, and draw again. This big set has 12 animal figures (multiple cats, a unicorn, a turtle, a bunny, and more) and 12 washable markers.
For kids 10 and older, this is a cool lesson in creating pixel art. Start each project with a photo (the simpler the better), then help them create an online Mosaic Maker account, and upload a photo to get pixelated. We had to try several images before we found one that looked like anything when turned into dots! Then when your kid downloads the pixelated image, it works as a guide for creating the image with their LEGO pieces, one square at a time.
This kit isn’t new, but it might be new to you if your firstborn is just entering early elementary school. Kids can make an impressive quilt just by patiently tying flower squares together. It takes kids a good while, and they’ll be so pleased with themselves when it’s finished! It’s for kids ages 6 and up. Psst: This also makes a great birthday gift. If you need more ideas, we have our best gifts for kids of all ages.
Preteens ages 10 and older can dive into needlepointing this dapper cat and then stuffing him to create the finished project — a cat-head pillow. It’s a beginner needlepointing kit packed in a little suitcase with needle, yarn, and stuffing all included. The final pillow is about 12 x 11 inches.
If your teen is putting a drawing portfolio together, then it’s time for adult-level art supplies such as these Castle Art pencils. This tin of 120 numbered, ordered premium pencils is a breathtaking gift to get them on their way. The colors go down soft and easy for layering together or blending for beautiful effects. It’s a highly recommended classic set!
