Explore the world of arts and crafts for kids: find art supplies for projects of all kinds, and cool craft kits for creative little ones. Having a well-stocked craft cupboard at home is great way to avoid boredom: simple art supplies to have always on-hand include clay doughs, crayons, markers, paints and brushes, stickers, and glue sticks for spontaneous summer or winter crafts for kids. As your young artists gain confidence and want to expand their horizons, try more elaborate craft sets, like DIY jewellery kits, model painting sets, and comic-book creation guides. Art kits and craft supplies make great birthday gifts, too.
Every day can be an arts and crafts day
There are opportunities for kids to be creative all year round: scout around online for ideas for daily drawing prompts or interesting methods for making origami or craft paper toys. Find inspiration for just about every holiday, like sweet Valentine’s Day crafts for kids that make fun greetings, or original Easter crafts for kids to help celebrate the season. Spring break and summer vacation are great times to incorporate natural elements in crafts for kids: try using leaves, flowers, and other objects you find on walks as art supplies – especially for Earth Day crafts! Mother’s Day crafts and Father’s Day crafts are easy ways for kids to make one-of-a-kind projects as keepsakes. The winter holidays – especially Christmas and Hanukkah – offer lots of opportunities not only to give kids’ original arts and crafts creations to friend and family as decorations or simple gifts, but also to replenish kids’ supplies with new and cool DIY kits and art sets as presents.
Learning through arts and crafts for kids
Many children are drawn to arts and crafts from a very early age: school art supplies with a particular sensory appeal – like slippery finger paint, squishy modelling dough, and stretchy slime – are particularly popular with toddlers and preschoolers. The simple act of scribbling on a big sheet of paper or whiteboard can help kids hone fine motor skills like the special grip that helps them to hold a crayon or marker effectively and refining their movements to better control their strokes and stay within the lines of a colouring book – if they want! Art sets for kids like paint-by-numbers sets or simple sewing craft kits can help kids learn to follow directions to get a desired result – or to freestyle and use their imaginations! As they gain confidence with arts and crafts, kids can experiment with colour, texture, and different materials to really express themselves.
All-in-one arts and crafts
There is a huge variety of self-contained craft kits for kids: sets that come complete with all the materials required (plus a little extra, often, in case of redos) and clear, simple instructions to help kids achieve a satisfying result. Best-selling examples include bracelet looms, sewing projects, spa science sets, model kits, and DIY room décor projects, as well as top-rated “craft-tivity books” that combine non-fiction books with crafts for kids for some added educational value. Other top craft kits that are great fun for party activities, playdates, and sleepovers allow kids design and decorate custom jewellery, badges, or accessories to wear and share with friends.