March 22, 2023

Must-Have Art Supplies for Kids: A Comprehensive Guide to Creative Fun at Home

Wondering what art supplies to keep at home for endless kid-friendly creativity? From crayons to stickers, this must-have list has everything you need to spark your child’s imagination!

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ESSENTIAL ART SUPPLIES: A PARENT’S SURVIVAL GUIDE

Picture this: it’s 7 a.m., your coffee is lukewarm, and your toddler is scaling the couch like a mountain goat. You need a distraction—stat. Enter: a stash of art supplies that will not only keep your kids busy but also nurture their creativity and maybe buy you a few minutes of peace. Whether you’re a crafting queen or just trying to avoid another sticker stuck to the dog, here’s the ultimate list of must-have art supplies for kids, guaranteed to turn your house into a mini art studio (or at least keep everyone entertained until snack time).

DRAWING & COLORING MUST-HAVES

These are your bread-and-butter supplies, the MVPs of kid creativity:

Crayola Crayons: Classics for a reason—cheap, colorful, and nearly indestructible. Plus, they’re great for toddler “scribble masterpieces.”
Colored Pencils: When your 5-year-old suddenly needs “just the right shade of blue” for their unicorn.
Washable Markers: The holy grail of parenting. Marker on the walls? The couch? Their face? No problem—these bad boys wash out like magic.

ADD A LITTLE SPICE

Because variety is the key to keeping things fresh:

Twistables Crayons: Like regular crayons, but fancier—and no peeling off paper wrappers!
Chalk: Perfect for outdoor fun, driveway masterpieces, or covering your porch in toddler hieroglyphics.

PAINTING SUPPLIES THAT WON’T (TOTALLY) DESTROY YOUR HOME

Let’s face it—paint is messy. But also magical.

Watercolor Palette: A low-mess intro to painting that feels just sophisticated enough for your mini Picasso.
Paintbrushes: Stock up on both thin and thick paintbrushes , because the right tool makes every painting session—from big brushstrokes to tiny details—way more fun and less messy!
Sponge Brushes: Because who doesn’t love slapping paint onto paper with a squishy sponge?
Washable Paint: Because toddlers will paint their hands, faces, and possibly the dog.
Acrylic Paint: For when you’re ready to graduate to the “serious” stuff—think keepsake crafts and gifts for Grandma.

CRAFTING TOOLS THAT SPARK IMAGINATIONS

Bring on the creativity (and the glue sticks):

Dot Stickers: Simple, satisfying, and oddly addictive. Kids will cover everything in these.
Adult Scissors: For projects that require precision, adult scissors are essential.
Fiskars Training Scissors: Start them young and teach them to cut safely (before they discover your Amazon packages).
White Cardstock: For when regular paper just won’t cut it. (Literally—it’s sturdier.)
Melissa and Doug Roll Paper: A long roll of paper for limitless creative exploration.
Colorful Tissue Paper: Perfect for making collages, flowers, or just crumpling up for “snowball fights.”
Construction Paper: The OG of craft supplies. Endless colors, endless possibilities.

STICKY SITUATIONS

All the adhesives you didn’t know you needed:

Elmer’s Glue Stick: A mess-free essential for paper crafts.
White Glue: Your go-to for bigger projects like cardboard and felt.
Painter’s Tape: Perfect for masking off areas during painting—or turning your living room into a racetrack.
Scotch Tape: The unsung hero that handles all your quick, easy craft fixes with ease.

EXTRA FUN SUPPLIES (AKA PARENT HACKS)

These are the “why didn’t I think of that?” items:

Black Permanent Markers: Perfect for adding bold details to all kinds of surfaces—whether it’s cardboard, paper, or plastic, they’ve got you covered!
Cotton Swabs and Cotton Balls: The ultimate multitaskers—great for blending colors, adding textures, and sneaking in those little details that make artwork pop!
Do-A-Dot Art Dot Markers: Kids love them, they’re easy to use, and they create instant masterpieces.
Variety of Stickers: Stickers with different shapes, sizes, and themes can enhance kids’ artwork and add a touch of whimsy.

EXTRA FUN SUPPLIES (AKA PARENT HACKS)

These are the “why didn’t I think of that?” items:

Squirt/Spray Bottle: Add watercolors and a spray bottle, and voilà—instant magic.
Cardboard, Toilet Paper/Paper Towel Rolls: Recycling these items can lead to fantastic craft projects like making robots, animals, or binoculars.
Clothespins: A craft box essential—perfect for holding projects together, adding a fun touch to art, or even creating cute little displays!
Paper Plates: Masks, suns, moons, and DIY frisbees. Who knew plates could be so versatile?
Jumbo and Regular Craft Sticks: The building blocks of endless craft creations.
Egg Carton: Craft gold. Keep a stash for robots, caterpillars, or whatever your kid dreams up.
Cookie Cutters: Perfect for shaping dough and creating unique patterns in art projects.

TAME THE CHAOS (SORT OF)

Here’s the secret: the magic isn’t just in the supplies—it’s in how you set it all up. Dedicate a small bin, cart, or drawer to your art arsenal. Label it. Make it accessible (but maybe not too accessible, unless you want glitter in your coffee).

So there you have it: your foolproof guide to art supplies that’ll keep the kiddos busy, entertained, and (hopefully) off your furniture. Stock up, set up, and watch as they unleash their creativity—and maybe even give you a few quiet moments to sip that coffee while it’s still warm. Or, you know, deal with the glitter explosion. Either way, you’ve got this!