Art Supplies and Kids: What to Look For
Not all art supplies are created equal — and children's supplies in particular span a huge range of quality. Cheap materials frustrate young artists because the colours are dull, pencils break constantly, and paint runs. Good quality supplies make the experience joyful. Here's what works.
The Starter Pack: Ages 4-8
For young children, prioritise safety, washability, and bold colours:
- Oil Pastels — Our Professional Oil Pastels — 48 Colors are smooth, blendable, and produce vivid results. Children can create stunning artwork in minutes because the pigment is forgiving and rich.
- Watercolour Brush Pens — The Watercolor Brush Pen Set — 36 Colors is perfect for older children (6+). The real brush tips mean kids learn actual brushwork, not just colouring.
- Stickers — Our Kawaii Animal Sticker Pack — 300+ keeps kids creating collages, decorating notebooks, and building imaginative scenes.
The Creative Kit: Ages 8-12
At this age, kids want to make real things:
- Kids Creative Art Box — Our all-in-one kit is the best single purchase for a child who loves making things. It includes paints, pencils, markers, and more.
- Friendship Bracelet Kit — The Friendship Bracelet Kit — 12 Patterns teaches pattern recognition, fine motor skills, and patience. Kids love making bracelets to give to friends.
- Coloured Pencils — The Artist Colored Pencil Set — 72 Colors opens up shading and detail work. A 72-colour set feels like real artist supplies.
The Young Artist Kit: Ages 12+
Teenagers serious about art need proper materials:
- Acrylic Paint Set — Acrylics are the most versatile medium for teen artists. Our Premium Acrylic Paint Set — 18 Colors with palette and brushes is a complete setup.
- Sketchbook — The Premium A4 Sketchbook — 120 Pages of acid-free paper handles pencil, ink, watercolour, and marker.
- Fine Liners — The Professional Fine Liner Drawing Pen Set — 8 Sizes takes line art to a professional level.
The Best Gift for a Young Artist
If you're buying for a child and aren't sure what level they're at, our Kids Creative Art Box is the safest choice. It has something for every skill level and enough variety to keep any young artist busy for weeks. Use code GIFT20 for 20% off the Creative Gifts Collection.