Ok, so just in case you walk into an arts and crafts supply store and start to get hives, I thought I’d make life a tad bit easier and share my absolute favorite, can’t live without, must have ART SUPPLY LIST. These are my favorite art supplies of for kids. You can order these all online so you don’t even have to leave your cozy little bed. After all, it’s Black Friday Night, and if you’re anything like me you feel compelled to buy at least one thing, even if you don’t need it in the slightest bit. That is one of my specialties actually. Who’s with me? Regardless, we’ll talk about addictions another time. Here’s the list…and if you click this link, I go into way more detail and share some project ideas too.
1. Pastels – Oil pastels
Here are two ideas, one using oil pastels and one using chalk pastels, to help you get started.
Some art activities using black sharpies…shadow box ornaments and self portrait shadow boxes
Using the wrong paper is often the biggest problem parents have when doing art with their children. Here is a great pad of strong, durable and absorbent paper that can be used with watercolors, liquid watercolors, sharpies, pastels, and tempera paints.
4. Washi Tape
There isn’t much I haven’t done with washi tape. There was a loooong period of time where I couldn’t stop using washi. We made diy building blocks, decorated a puppet theater, made wall art. You name it, we’ve washi’d it.
5. Watercolors
If you’re feeling adventurous, I absolutely love Liquid Watercolors
And also, we love this watercolor palette
6. Neon Tempera cakes
7. Wire
8. Wood Beads
9. FuNCHALK Markers
11. Sculpey
12. 2 Layer Drop Cloth
**Hot off the press** We just found out our favorite storage caddy is on Amazon. This is the best caddy ever
And if you are looking to put together a great super cool gift box filled with art supplies for kids you love, I wrote this post last year and recently updated it. To me, the Snazaroo Face Painting Set
Hope this is helpful! Happy Holidays everyone. xo, Meri
We have a lot of art supplies, but I was surprised to find that we don’t have several of these terrific items. I recently realized how great having many black Sharpies is, so I had already ordered two 12 packs to go along with the collection of new Sharpies I got our kids for Christmas. I just ordered the oil pastels, transparency sheets, washi tape and FunChalk. I can’t wait to add them to all the other art collections I put together for Christmas!
Terrific!!! You well be well stocked and I hope very happy with all these new goodies. Happy holidays!!!
Thank you Meri! I needed this post so badly!!!!!!
Yay!! So glad it’s helpful xo
Thanks for this great list! We use all of these almost daily except for Sculpey. I’ll have to try it. Also, how about craft sticks? My almost 5 year old loves playing with them and finds ways to incorporate into almost any art project. She will stack them, color them, glue them, tape them. Endless fun.
Hi Evanne, Sounds like you’re having fun with your little ones. We have to get out the craft sticks. Thanks! Good suggestion. Just fyi I really only recommend sculpey for ages 5 and up. Not for the littles. It’s not safe to ingest. Have fun!
The neon tempera paint cakes are amazing! The colours are incredibly bright and the pigment is intense and unlike any paint cake I’ve come across. Thanks so much for pointing us in their direction.
YAY!!!! This makes me really happy! I really appreciate you taking the time to write. I really want to help moms and to me these items are all well worth the price! Thanks so much Sarah and enjoy!
Hi! Love your studio and your list! How do you use the transparency paper? I have a 4.5 year old boy,looking for fun ways to interest him in writing! Thanks!
Thank you! We use it in a lot of ways. One is to place it over art work, printed pictures of favorite things, photographs, etc. and trace it or color it with sharpies or fun chalk markers. That’ a good place to start. If you’re child is into something, like unicorns, or trucks, etc. try printing a pic out and placing the transparency over it and then draw the lines they see or add fun details or just scribble. Hope that helps!
Tips for purchasing art supplies in bulk? We use a lot of art supplies here at our house & I would love to save time and money by purchasing items like washi tape, cakes, etc in bulk to last a good year.