Putting together this list of gifts for kids who love art was so fun! I love shopping for kids supplies. Above all, my favorite things about art supply gift giving is the opportunity to really go for some fun non-essential supplies! Firstly, I have talked about the basics supplies I like to always have on hand in this post. The majority of the projects I create use those supplies. Gifts are a great time to stock up on those supplies as well!
Most people know that most of the creating that kids do is not guided projects. It is self-guided exploration with a variety of tools and supplies! I WHOLE HEARTED support this method of art creation for kids!
I’ve organized the gifts for kids by category for simplicity.
It would make such fun gifts for kids to do one from each category and package them together. I’ll make pairing recommendations on specific supplies below.
I have linked all of these supplies at my favorite place to shop for supplies, Blick.com.
I trust their commitment to quality, wide variety of product offerings, customer support and competitive pricing.
You can find their phone number or live chat listed at the top of their homepage and every page and a real person will answer and offer you support! Additionally, you can get reliable free shipping over $35.
If you are looking for art supplies gifts for pre-school aged children, I made an exhaustive list for toddlers that would work wonderfully!
Drawing Supplies Gifts for Kids Who Love Art:
- Crayola Window markers – Firstly for drawing supplies these are a nice way to switch up your drawing surface without having to purchase anything to work on! Just use a window or sliding glass door.
2. Mr. Sketch Scented Marker Set – I think these speak for themselves. Additionally, I love their broad wedge shaped tip for a mix up from the normal pointed markers.
3. Crayola Glitter Markers – I remember the year I got special crayola markers for Christmas. They were the color changing ones. I can’t find them anymore, but these look like they could maybe fill the void?
4. Ooly Magic Puffy Pen Markers – These have a special ink that puffs up when you apply heat! So, this is basically a super affordable, very kid friendly embossing project? Sold.
5. Crayola Metallic Markers – So, where the glitters would add sparkle, these would add shine. I think these would be so fun with some black paper!
6. VersaChalk Liquid Chalk Markers – These are high on our list because of how versatile they are. I’ve seen them used on everything from paper, to leaves, to rocks, to wood and more.
7. Sakura Gelly Roll Pens – Be still my 7th grade doodling on every page of every notebook heart. (OK, I’ll be honest, I never stopped doodling on every page.) These with the black sketchbook and/or coal black cards below would be so fun.
8. Ooly Stampables Scented Double-Ended Stamp Markers – I love that these markers have a brush pen with the stamp. In addition, they come in a very portable container, which is gold for me.
If your child is younger and still needing grasping help check out the toddler supplies in this post.
9. Crayola Twistables Slick Stix – These are taking crayons to the next level. They are formulated to go on smooth and creamy and can be used on a variety of surface mediums like cardboard, foam, foil, and more.
10. Prismacolor Col-Erase Pencils – Lastly, when someone told me there were colored pencils with erasers I had to search for myself to believe it. Hooray!
Paper Supplies Gifts for Kids Who Love Art
- Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad – 11” x 14”, Wire Bound, 100 Sheets – Firstly for paper supplies, this has been a favorite of mine for kids for a long time. The pages are thick enough for marker, smooth, and the top wire binding makes it easy to use for both left and right handed kiddos!
2. Faber-Castell Black Paper Sketch Pad – This would be very fun paired with gel pens or any of the shiny, glitter marker options.
3. Strathmore Watercolor Cards – We love these for making cards for loved ones and friends. They hold up well for any kind of medium.
4. Canson Artist Series Watercolor Book – 8-1/2” x 5-1/2”, 20 Sheets – This sketchbook contains 140lb watercolor paper. It could be gift bundled with the watercolors, kwik stix or gel sticks below!
5. Hygloss My Calendar – I love this idea for a family calendar created by your child. Displaying your child’s artwork is really important as it shows that you value and appreciate their creation process. What a useful and creative way to do it year round!
6. Pacon Primary Picture Story Journal – This is meant for handwriting practice, but I would use it for unguided play. Even if your child isn’t practicing spelling, they can be encouraged to draw a picture and write about it. Above all, mark making of any kind, circles and lines or their name letters over and over is valuable. Asking your child to tell you about what they drew and wrote will most likely spark an entertaining narrative and/or connection point for you and your child.
Note: I encourage you to make a point to avoid all judgmental language about neatness, letter forms or handwriting when children are creating.
7. Strathmore Artagain Coal Black Cards – I’m excited to try these out for more card making options.
8. Eeboo Rainbow and Friends Scratch Paper Stickers – This has everything you need to create your own scratch paper stickers. As you know, we love stickers around here! You can read about why in # 10 of this post about toddler supplies.
9. Canson XL Watercolor Pad – 9” x 12”, Euro Fold, 30 Sheets – We use this watercolor paper weekly! It is awesome for when you want to tear out and work on a single sheet. Additionally, I use it for most of the projects I create.
10. Big Black Bee Bogus Recycled Sketchbook – 9” x 9”, Rough, wirebound, 50 Sheets – This sketchbook has a board cover that is meant to be personalized.
Paint Supplies Gifts for Kids Who Love Art
- Prang Washable Watercolor Pans – Oval, Set of 8 Glitter Colors, Pans – This is a fun twist on my favorite pan watercolors for kids!
2. Crayola Washable Kids’ Paint – I love this for all ages because it is so washable. Clean up is a breeze.
You can find my favorite finger paint for littlest littles in this supply list.
3. Kwik Stix Tempera Paint – Tempera paint in a stick?! These help eliminate messes, can be used on a variety of surfaces, and dry very quickly.
4. Faber-Castell Gel Stick Sets – Don’t be surprised if you get into these just as much as your kiddos. They are so fun and a huge crowd favorite for all ages. After you color with them, it’s very fun to go back with a brush and water and do some blending.
5. Sargent Art Watercolor Magic – I don’t want to sound dramatic but liquid watercolors are where it’s at, friends.
You can see them in action in this project.
6. Faber-Castell Rainbow Fluffy Paint – This has been on my list to try for a long time. Like clay meets paint, the processes that can be experimented with are endless. Additionally, it looks like a sensory play jack-pot!
7. Elmer’s 3D Washable Paint Pens – These are a favorite in our home. Above all, I love that they effortlessly help develop hand strength, which is something we are always working on.
8. Prang Watercolor Pans – Oval, Assorted, Set of 16 colors – I have this on my daughter’s list because we are needing to replace our almost used up set of 8 and am excited to check out the set of 16.
9. Blickrylic Student Acrylic Paints and Sets – I believe having the primaries + white & black of acrylic paint is almost a necessity. It is the best choice for painting clay, on easels or large spaces.
Most importantly, when learning color theory, with just these five colors you can mix all colors, tints and shades.
10. Richeson Tempera Cakes Set – This set in a tray is so accessible and that brings me joy. Set this out with a cup of water, paint brush and paper and you’re set! Clean up is just as easy, making these incredibly low waste and low mess.
Other Art Supply Gifts for Kids Who Love Art
- Stickers! – As stated before, we can’t get enough of these!
2. Foam Rollers and Paint Tray – I love that these come with the tray! That’s a HUGE pain point for me with rollers.
3. Sharpies – So. Many. Color. Options. If you need a pep talk on letting your kids use sharpies please reference number 9 of this post and take courage!
4. Air Dry Clay – A favorite for all aspiring sculptor and 3D artists, low maintenance in the best way. I usually get white and let children paint it with acrylic paint once it is dry.
5. Washi Tape – We can’t get enough of this. We use it most for constructing with paper and to hang things up on walls temporarily.
6. Rolling Wooden Tools – These are sturdy and can be used for any medium, even “cooking” in sand in the backyard.
7. Unfinished Wooden Beads – These have so many creative uses. First, painting them and letting them dry. Then, encouraging open ended play, using them to build on cardboard or together (I’d use wood or hot glue), creating necklaces, stringing onto pipe cleaners, distributing into containers, and more.
8. Storage Center – I’ve had my eye on this for a while. I’m a huge proponent of having art supplies out and accessible, but also well organized.
9. Multicultural Colored Pencils and Multicultural Crayons – I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard kids say, “I can’t find the right skin color!” and I participated in so many skin color searches. The kids were correct. It was hard. Once I discovered these I never heard that again! Yay!
10. Captain Creative Magic Nuudles – These are insane! You need a tiny bit of water to stick them together and kids build the most amazing things with these!
Art Supply Kit Gifts for Kids Who Love Art
- Faber-Castell Dot a Design – A great way to learn about “stippling” and/or “pointillism”. You could also tie in some exposure to Great Artists like Seurat or Yayoi Kusama.
2. Klutz Sun Catchers – These are created without using glass which makes them a safer option for littles.
3. Fat Brain Toys Hey Clay – This clay is light weight and doesn’t stick to clothes making it a great option for all ages.
4. Djeco Mosaics Kits – These mosaics are made by applying foam stickers. The designs are beautiful.
5. Kids Keepsake Ornament Mini Kit and Kids Holiday Nail Art Mini Kit – I had to include these holiday themed kits. They are such an affordable an easy way to include your child in holiday creating!
6. Make a Mask Kit – These are great for younger kiddos who love to play pretend. My daughter used to wear these day after day until the elastic lost all stretch!
7. The Original Fantastic Flowers Paper Flower Maker – Paper flowers are such a fun 3D project, but following all the tutorials with tissue paper can get confusing. I love how this makes intricate, beautiful flowers so easy!
8. Razzle Dazzle DIY Gem Art Kits – I love these because the raised gems are easier for kids needing to work on developing pincher grasp.
9. Glitter Plaster Horses – A personal request from the horse loving kiddo in our home.
10. Created by Me Chests – These are a long time favorite with options like pirates chest, butterfly, and heart. My little one still displays the one she made proudly on her dresser.
Be prepared to be amazed by your child’s imagination and creativity!
Art Supplies were always some of my most favorite gifts growing up. I still have a running list of supplies I’d love to have as gifts. (Shared those here.) I hope this list of gifts for kids who love art is helpful! If you have specific questions or have something to add please connect with me!
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