Make sure art supplies are age appropriate, as some items are not meant for children under 3.
Art allows children to use their imaginations while helping them solve problem that require them to think outside the box. Having the right supplies on hand allows budding artists to express themselves in a number of ways.
Modeling Supplies
Kids love to mold clay into various shapes. You can use cookie cutters, a rolling pin and utensils or have them use just their hands and imagination. You can buy various modeling clays and doughs at craft stores or use a homemade variety. Some clays dry up naturally, can be baked in an oven or stay moist for later reuse.
Painting and Drawing Supplies
A little Rembrandt or Picasso would love to create a masterpiece on a drawing pad, canvas or construction paper. A set of watercolors or finger paints are fun but for less mess you can always opt for markers, crayons, chalk or pencil instead. Easels can help keep supplies and mess in one place.
Paper Crafts Supplies
Have old magazines, kid friendly scissors, stickers and glue sticks on hand. For homemade cards, have a set of blank cards with envelopes available. Kids love to make their own holiday or birthday card for family and friends. To get fancy, you can make or buy glitter glue. Use scrapbook paper or construction paper for collage making.
Miscellaneous Supplies
Other popular kid art supplies include beads, embroidery floss, yarn, fabric or felt, googly eyes and pipe cleaners. You can go green and reuse certain household items such as toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, popsicle sticks, cardboard, shoe boxes and buttons. Kids are pretty inventive; they might find an artistic use for items you never would have thought.
