Whether you are shopping for your own child, the perfect birthday present, or just something to pass the time on a rainy day, there are lots of great gift options for young artists. I’m a big fan of encouraging creativity while also keeping it simple. Doing art at home is easy and fun.
Here are a few ideas that have been hits around our house over the years. Even as we’ve headed into the teenage years, some of these items still get used!
1. Ed Emberly Books. I grew up learning how to draw basic faces and people with Ed’s books. They are colorful and easy to follow. Years later, my kids love them too. Paired with a drawing pad and colored pencils, any of these books would make a great gift. You will probably enjoy trying your hand as well!
2. Jellyroll pens. We’ve recently discovered these, and my girls LOVE them. They are so much fun to write with. Various sets are available at different price points, and they are especially fun to use on black paper.
3. Black Paper. Mix things up! Instead of always using white paper, black can take drawing to a new level. You can use the Jellyroll pens or you can use pastels to create a colorful masterpiece.
6. A set of paint brushes that roll up. This is a great gift that won’t break the bank and will make kids feel like true artists. I love watching my daughter unroll them, trying to decide which brush to use next.
7. A stack of canvases. These are great to have around for rainy days. You can buy them in bulk. Use them for painting or draw designs on them with Sharpies. You can also use them to make collages with paper or fabric.
8. A good set of Sharpies. These are permanent, so particularly with younger children, I’d recommend some supervision to avoid marking surfaces by mistake.
9. A spin art machine. I hesitated to include this item on the list, because it can be a bit messy, but I have instituted a rule that we do it outside, and that has worked very well! It has provided hours of entertainment.
10. Friendship string. All three of my kids have loved making these over the years. My youngest daughter pointed out that there are tons of online tutorials available for anyone new to making them.
11. A nice set of colored pencils. This is a gift that will have staying power; my teens still use them! I love the tins, which make the set easy to keep organized.
12. Playful patterns coloring book. Coloring has made a big comeback in the past few years. It’s relaxing and fun, and a great way to encourage kids to talk instead of staring at their phones. I’ve seen my daughters do it with friends and it’s great to watch. I also love this line of coloring books as well.
13. The original SPIROGRAPH. Tried and true, this fun activity has entertained kids for two generations. I loved my set when I was younger, which made doing this with my kids even more fun!
14. Washi Tape. Washi tape is colorful and fun for crafting as well as for decorating water bottles, school notebooks, folders and more. It’s also not messy either, so if you need to remove it, it will come off easily. I also love this set and this one as well.
15. Liquid Watercolors. Suitable for ages 3 and up, these are easy to mix and the colors are gorgeous. You won’t have to deal with any messy pigment, and these will pack well if you travel with them.
In closing, you’re going to need a craft cart to put all of these supplies! This cart maximizes storage and will do the trick. I like this one as well. Both have wheels and can easily be moved out of sight if need be.
I hope these ideas are helpful! Happy creating!
