7 Best Art Supplies for Kids: A Creative Guide for 2025

Choosing the right art supplies can transform a simple afternoon into a vibrant world of imagination and learning. But with countless crayons, paints, and papers lining store shelves, how do you find the perfect tools for your young creator? This guide cuts through the clutter to pinpoint the best art supplies for kids, focusing on quality, safety, age-appropriateness, and, most importantly, fun. We’ll move beyond generic lists to provide actionable insights, helping you select materials that not only inspire masterpieces but also make cleanup less of a chore.

We understand that parents, teachers, and caregivers need reliable, straightforward recommendations. That's why we've compiled a curated list of the top online retailers where you can find everything you need. Each entry will highlight what makes that platform a great choice, complete with practical tips and direct links to get you shopping faster. For example, once you’ve stocked up on colored pencils, a simple but effective coloring technique to teach is layering. Show your child how to apply a light layer of yellow, followed by a light layer of blue, to create a rich green. This hands-on example teaches color theory in a fun way. You can then find engaging, printable coloring pages from sites like Colortada to immediately put these new skills to use, offering endless themes from Bluey to Disney. This article is your direct path to equipping your budding artist for their next creative adventure, ensuring you invest in supplies that truly foster growth and joy.

1. Amazon

As the world's largest online marketplace, Amazon is an indispensable one-stop shop for finding the best art supplies for kids, regardless of age or skill level. Its sheer volume of products is unmatched, offering everything from basic crayon multipacks for toddlers to sophisticated drawing tablets for aspiring young artists. Parents and educators can easily find budget-friendly bulk supplies for classrooms or premium, all-in-one gift sets for birthdays and holidays.

The platform's key advantage lies in its robust customer review system. You can quickly gauge the mess factor of a paint set or the durability of colored pencils by reading detailed feedback from other parents. The Q&A feature is also invaluable for asking specific questions, like whether a certain marker brand bleeds through standard coloring book paper.

Finding the Right Supplies on Amazon

Navigating the massive selection is easier when you use the platform’s tools effectively. Start by filtering your search by age range and brand. For instance, searching for "washable paint for toddlers" and then filtering by the Crayola brand helps narrow down options to trusted, non-toxic products.

A practical coloring tip is to look for supplies that match your child's developmental stage. For a preschooler just learning to grip, search for "egg crayons" or "chunky markers." These are easier for small hands to hold, preventing frustration and encouraging them to experiment with colors and shapes. A great example of how to use them is to tape a large piece of paper to the floor and let them use their whole arm to make big, sweeping marks. This builds gross motor skills alongside creativity.

Actionable Insight: Use Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" feature for frequently used items like construction paper, glue sticks, or washable markers. This not only saves you money but also ensures you never run out of core supplies mid-project.

Pros:

• Vast selection covering all price points.
• Strong customer reviews provide real-world insights.
• Easy returns and reliable buyer protection.

Cons:

• Quality can be inconsistent with unknown third-party sellers.
• Numerous similar listings can make direct comparisons difficult.

Website: https://www.amazon.com/

2. Michaels

As a leading arts and crafts retailer, Michaels offers a curated and well-organized destination for finding the best art supplies for kids. Unlike broader marketplaces, its dedicated kids' section is specifically designed for parents and educators, making it simple to find age-appropriate materials. From sensory dough for toddlers to painting canvases and sketchbooks for older children, the selection is both high-quality and easy to navigate.

The platform's primary strength lies in its blend of online convenience and physical store access. You can quickly browse projects and supplies online, check local inventory, and often pick up your order the same day. This is a huge advantage for last-minute school projects or rainy-day craft emergencies. Their frequent coupons and weekly sales also make it a budget-friendly choice for stocking up.

Finding the Right Supplies at Michaels

Michaels' website simplifies the search process with clear categories like "Drawing & Coloring," "Painting," and "Sensory." Use the filters on the left-hand side to sort by age, brand (like Crayola or Faber-Castell), and even specific projects, which can inspire your next activity.

A great coloring tip is to bundle supplies for a complete experience. For instance, if you're buying watercolor paints for a 7-year-old, also search for "watercolor paper." This type of paper is thicker and more absorbent, preventing the buckling and tearing that can frustrate young artists when using regular printer paper. An easy first project is to teach them a "wet-on-wet" technique: have them brush plain water onto the paper first, then dab colors on top to watch them bloom and blend magically. Check out their house brand, Creatology, for affordable and reliable basics. Many parents also find inspiration for activities by browsing their project ideas, which often list all the needed supplies. For more project ideas, you can also learn about fun crafts for toddlers.

Actionable Insight: Always check the "Weekly Ad" and "Coupons" sections on the Michaels website before making a purchase. You can often find a 20% off coupon for your entire regular-priced purchase, which can be applied to both online and in-store orders.

Pros:

• Easy to get items quickly with same-day pickup or delivery.
• Frequent coupons and weekly sales offer significant savings.
• Well-organized website with a wide selection of trusted brands.

Cons:

• Shipping costs can add up without promotional offers.
• Some expedited shipping options are not available for all items.

Website: https://assets.michaels.com/shop/kids/art-supplies

3. Blick Art Materials (Dick Blick)

For parents and educators seeking professional-grade quality, Blick Art Materials is a premier destination for finding the best art supplies for kids. As a specialist art supplier, Blick offers materials that are a step up from typical craft store finds, focusing on durability, pigment quality, and safety. Their dedicated "Kids" section is curated with everything from washable tempera paints and student-grade brush sets to bulk construction paper and unique STEM-adjacent art kits.

Blick's main advantage is its focus on high-quality, education-grade materials, making it a favorite for teachers and homeschoolers. The product descriptions are detailed, often including information on toxicity (look for the "AP" seal for non-toxic products) and intended use, which helps you make informed choices. This is the place to build a complete and lasting art setup for a child who is genuinely passionate about creating.

Finding the Right Supplies on Blick

Effectively using Blick’s website involves leveraging its detailed categories and filters. Instead of a general search, navigate directly to the "Kids" section and then explore subcategories like "Drawing & Coloring" or "Craft Kits." Here, you can filter by brand, age-appropriateness, and even project type to find precisely what you need.

A practical coloring tip when shopping on Blick is to invest in a set of student-grade watercolor pencils. Brands like Faber-Castell and Prismacolor offer high-pigment, blendable options perfect for older kids. A child can draw their design with the pencils and then use a wet paintbrush to transform the lines into beautiful watercolor washes, introducing them to a new artistic technique. For example, have them draw a simple flower, then use the wet brush to pull color from the outline into the petals, creating a soft, painterly effect.

Actionable Insight: Build a custom art kit by using Blick's "Wishlist" feature. Add individual items like a high-quality sketchbook, a set of oil pastels, and modeling clay. This allows you to assemble a personalized gift that is often higher quality and more cost-effective than a pre-packaged set.

Pros:

• Classroom-ready quality and bulk purchase options.
• Excellent for building complete, high-quality art supply setups.
• Fast shipping, often processed within 1–2 business days.

Cons:

• Higher free shipping minimum ($69) than some mass-market sellers.
• Oversize shipping fees may apply to items like large canvases or paper rolls.

Website: https://www.dickblick.com/categories/kids/

4. Lakeshore Learning

For parents and educators who prioritize educational value, Lakeshore Learning is a treasure trove of the best art supplies for kids. This retailer specializes in curriculum-based, developmentally appropriate materials, ensuring that every art project doubles as a learning experience. Their products are designed to withstand classroom use, making them exceptionally durable and safe for home settings.

The key distinction of Lakeshore Learning is its focus on teacher-designed products that meet specific developmental milestones. You won't just find paint; you'll find "no-spill" paint cups and ergonomically designed brushes that help young children master fine motor skills. This educational-first approach makes it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to blend creativity with skill-building.

Finding the Right Supplies on Lakeshore Learning

Lakeshore Learning’s website makes it easy to find age-appropriate materials. Use the robust filtering system to shop by grade level, from infant and toddler to 6th grade and beyond. You can also browse specific categories like collage, dough, or easels to find exactly what you need for a planned activity.

A practical coloring tip is to explore their "Color-In" products, like puzzles or stand-up figures. These items give children a clear objective for their coloring, which can help improve focus and control. For a toddler, pair a simple "Color-in-Animal" with their chunky "No-Roll" crayons. Encourage them to make different patterns on each part of the animal—dots on the body, stripes on the legs—to build confidence and coordination.

Actionable Insight: Look for the "Teacher-Created" or "Lakeshore Exclusive" labels on products. These items are often designed to solve common problems, such as messy projects or supplies that break easily, offering a higher standard of quality and usability.

Pros:

• High-quality, durable, and classroom-safe materials.
• Excellent selection of washable and non-toxic options.
• Easy to shop by age, grade level, and skill.

Cons:

• Prices can be higher than mass-market retailers.
• Selection is more focused on education than on professional art brands.

Website: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/arts-crafts/

5. Crayola (Official)

For parents seeking trusted quality and innovative, kid-friendly products, the official Crayola website is the ultimate destination. As a brand synonymous with childhood creativity, Crayola.com offers direct access to their entire product line, from iconic crayon packs to their revolutionary Color Wonder series. This makes it a go-to resource for finding some of the best art supplies for kids, especially for younger children where safety and washability are top priorities.

The platform’s standout feature is its focus on mess-free creativity. The Color Wonder line, where markers and paints only appear on special paper, is a game-changer for toddlers and preschoolers. The site also provides free resources, including printable coloring pages and craft ideas, making it more than just a store-it's an activity hub for families.

Finding the Right Supplies on Crayola.com

Navigating the site is simple due to its clear categories and focus on age-appropriate products. You can shop by product type, like "Markers" or "Paint," or explore curated collections and gift sets. The site is also the most reliable place to find refills for specific kits, such as Color Wonder paper or extra Model Magic colors.

A practical coloring tip is to use the website’s free resources to test a child's interest before buying. Download and print a few themed coloring pages to see what characters or subjects they enjoy. This helps you choose a themed art kit they will be genuinely excited to use, ensuring the supplies don’t go to waste. For example, if they love the dinosaur pages, you know a dinosaur-themed Model Magic kit will be a big hit. If you're looking for art supplies for very young children, you can find more guidance on what to look for with these great art supplies for two-year-olds.

Actionable Insight: Check the "Crafts" section for step-by-step project ideas categorized by season, holiday, or material. This is a fantastic way to find inspiration and ensure you buy exactly the supplies needed for a specific weekend activity.

Pros:

• Guaranteed brand safety, quality, and washability.
• Excellent selection of mess-controlled supplies like Color Wonder.
• Free creative resources and project ideas for families.

Cons:

• Limited to a single brand, with no third-party product comparisons.
• Prices may be higher than at mass-market retailers.

Website: https://www.crayola.com/

6. Target

As a go-to retailer for families, Target excels at offering a well-curated selection of the best art supplies for kids, combining convenience with a user-friendly shopping experience both in-store and online. It's the ideal spot for grabbing trusted brands like Crayola, Creativity for Kids, and Play-Doh, ensuring you find reliable and safe products for your next creative session. Target’s assortment is particularly strong in the budget to mid-range, featuring all-in-one art kits that make perfect birthday gifts or rainy-day activities.

The platform's biggest advantage is its seamless integration of online shopping with its physical stores. You can browse online and then use fast fulfillment options like Drive Up or Order Pickup, often ready within a couple of hours. This is a lifesaver for last-minute school project needs or when inspiration strikes unexpectedly.

Finding the Right Supplies on Target

Target's "Kids' Crafts" category is organized to make finding what you need simple. You can easily filter by brand, age, and type of activity, such as painting, drawing, or modeling clay. Take advantage of their seasonal sales, especially during the back-to-school and holiday periods, for significant discounts on bulk items and popular kits.

A practical coloring tip when shopping at Target is to look for their exclusive Mondo Llama brand. Searching for "Mondo Llama paint-your-own-ceramics" can uncover unique, affordable kits that provide a complete activity right out of the box. A fun way to approach this is to encourage your child to plan their design on paper first. This simple planning step teaches them to follow multi-step instructions and helps them feel more confident when they start painting the final ceramic piece.

Actionable Insight: Use the Target app to check in-store availability before you go. If an item is out of stock at your local store, the app can show you which nearby locations have it, saving you a wasted trip.

Pros:

• Fast local fulfillment and easy in-store returns.
• Wide selection from budget to mid-range kits.
• Strong seasonal sales and promotions.

Cons:

• Some items are regionally stocked and may vary by location.
• Online product descriptions sometimes lack detail.

Website: https://www.target.com/c/5xt8k

7. OOLY (Official)

For parents seeking vibrant, gift-ready, and high-quality creative tools, OOLY's official website is a treasure trove of the best art supplies for kids. This kid-forward brand excels at creating products that are as fun to look at as they are to use, focusing on bright, whimsical designs that immediately capture a child's imagination. From scented gel pens to stackable crayons and mess-free paint sticks, OOLY’s curated collection is designed for children aged 3 to 12.

What sets OOLY apart is its commitment to safety and quality, ensuring all products meet or exceed regulatory standards for children. The website is clean and easy to navigate, with collections clearly organized by age and product type, making it simple to find the perfect birthday gift or a special treat. Their focus on unique, innovative supplies like erasable markers and watercolor paint pods makes art time feel fresh and exciting.

Finding the Right Supplies on OOLY

OOLY’s website makes it easy to shop for specific needs. Use their "Shop By Age" filter to quickly narrow down developmentally appropriate tools for toddlers, preschoolers, or older kids. This ensures you find supplies that are safe and easy for little hands to manage.

A great coloring tip for mess-averse parents is to try OOLY’s Chunkies Paint Sticks. These solid tempera paint sticks glide on smoothly like a crayon but have the vibrant, opaque look of paint, all without the need for water, brushes, or smocks. They dry in under 90 seconds, making them perfect for spontaneous art sessions. For a fun project, have your child draw a rainbow with the sticks on dark construction paper—the bright, opaque colors will pop beautifully against the dark background. Pair them with some unique creative prompts, like those found in animated coloring pages, to spark even more imaginative play.

Actionable Insight: Look for OOLY's bundled sets and "Funtastic Boxes." These curated kits often provide a better value than buying items individually and make fantastic, ready-to-go gifts that introduce kids to a variety of new materials.

Pros:

• Gift-ready designs and colors that appeal directly to children.
• Consistent and high-quality ink, paint, and materials.
• Excellent for portable and travel-friendly art kits.

Cons:

• Narrower product selection than multi-brand retailers.
• Some items are pricier compared to mass-market alternatives.

Website: https://www.ooly.com/collections/art-supplies

Top 7 Art Supply Brands Comparison

Empower Your Little Artist for a Colorful Future

Navigating the world of children's art supplies can feel like exploring a vast, colorful universe. From the budget-friendly convenience of Target and Amazon to the specialized, artist-grade selections at Blick Art Materials, the options are plentiful. Throughout this guide, we've explored the unique strengths of top retailers, whether you're a teacher stocking a classroom with Lakeshore Learning's durable materials or a parent discovering the whimsical and innovative tools from OOLY.

The key takeaway is that the best art supplies for kids are not about a single "perfect" product. Instead, they are about finding the right fit for your child's age, interests, and your family's needs. Crayola's non-toxic, washable markers might be ideal for a toddler's first foray into coloring, while an older child might be ready for the more diverse paint and paper selections found at Michaels.

Matching Supplies to Your Creative Goals

Choosing the right tools is the first step; knowing how to use them effectively is the next. Your goal should be to create an environment that encourages exploration without pressure.

• For Toddlers (Ages 1-3): Focus on safety and sensory experience. Think large, chunky crayons, washable finger paints, and thick paper. Your primary goal is to build fine motor skills and introduce color recognition. A great activity is to put blobs of different colored finger paints on a tray and let them mix the colors with their hands to see new shades appear.
• For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5): Introduce more variety. This is the perfect age for safety scissors, modeling clay, and watercolor sets. You can start introducing simple coloring techniques, like trying to color a leaf with two different shades of green to give it more dimension, or experimenting with mixing primary paint colors (red, yellow, blue) to create secondary colors (orange, green, purple).
• For Early Elementary (Ages 6-8): Expand their creative toolkit. Introduce colored pencils for detail work, a wider range of markers, and perhaps even starter acrylic paint sets. This is a great time to teach blending with colored pencils to create a smooth gradient, or layering light markers over dark ones to see how the colors interact.
• For Older Kids (Ages 9+): Follow their lead. They may develop an interest in a specific medium, like graphite sketching, detailed marker art, or even digital creation. This is when a trip to a specialized store like Blick Art Materials can be truly inspiring. Teach them how to create value scales with a pencil, from very light to very dark, to learn about shading.

Actionable Steps for Creative Success

Remember that your role is to be a facilitator, not just a supplier. Make art an accessible, everyday activity. Set up a dedicated art station, even if it's just a small corner of the kitchen table with a plastic mat. Compliment their effort and process, not just the final product. Say things like, "I love how you used so many different colors here!" instead of just, "That's a pretty picture."

Most importantly, pair these fantastic supplies with engaging activities. A new set of gel pens is exciting, but it's even better when paired with a new set of intricate coloring pages that make them sparkle. This simple step transforms a purchase into a memorable creative experience, ensuring your investment in the best art supplies for kids pays off in hours of joyful, imaginative play.

Ready to put those new art supplies to the test? Colortada offers a massive library of high-quality, printable coloring pages perfect for every age and interest. Visit Colortada to download endless inspiration and give your little artist the perfect canvas for their next masterpiece.