Arts and Crafts Gift Box for 3 Year Old

Looking for gift ideas for kids who love to craft? We've rounded upward the all-time art supplies and craft sets for children, from toddlers to teens.

Welcome! Nosotros're thrilled y'all've found ourUnrivaled Guide to Non ‐ Toy Gifts For Kids Of All Ages. Not to toot our own horn or anything, but when it comes to presents that aren't toys, this is the biggest, near extensive and straightforward gift guide on the Internet (toot toot).

In this guide we'll be breaking down the all-time arts and crafts materials and gifts for kids of all ages – everything from the elevation art supplies to keep on paw, to full-on craft kits and even subscription art boxes.

These are some of our favorite gifts considering they promote open-ended creativity, self-expression, and even fine motor skills…and all-time of all, nearly can be done independently, making for some wonderful quiet time activity.

Like all of our What Moms Honey Gift Guides, we've done extensive product testing, so you can rest assured that any of the items we feature are ones that volition not just get your seal of approval, merely more than chiefly, volition get ii big thumbs up from your child equally well.

So whether you're looking to but stock up a craft surface area, or spark your child's creative imagination, nosotros've got you covered with the best fine art and craft supplies and gift ideas.

Because this guide is adequately extensive, we've divide it into different categories to help you access the data that matches your child'southward age/phase as easily as possible – simply roll to the section which interests y'all most:

• Best Fine art Supplies For Kids
• All-time Arts & Crafts Gifts for Toddlers
• Best Arts & Crafts Gifts for four-seven yr olds
• Best Arts & Crafts Gifts for Tweens & Teens

Simply delight note, in that location will be some overlap betwixt the historic period categories. And then if, for case, y'all're looking for gift ideas for a 6 or 7-twelvemonth old, nosotros advise not only looking at the 4-7 section, simply to likewise take a peek at the tween/teen category, because there will be items that could still be suitable (but will perhaps demand a little extra grown-upward assistance).

Also, while nosotros accept listed the manufacturer's recommended age for each product, many times your child will be ready for these items before that age. Ultimately you lot know your child best.

And finally, if yous'd like to existalerted to any sales or special deals nosotros receive on whatsoever of these gifts, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter. We'll also permit you know whennew guides launch (we're ever working on more!), and hook y'all up with our other exclusive content like our popular report:ten Screen ‐ Free Toys for Guaranteed Quiet Time That Will Let You Relax, Recharge, Or Put The Laundry Away .

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Retrieve to Bookmark, Impress and Pivot this list so it's always handy when a souvenir ‐ giving occasion arises!

all-time art supplies

Keeping open-concluded craft supplies in stock volition save many a rainy day, and ultimately let your budding Picasso'due south imagination soar.

We recommend designating a drawer, closet or consummate art table surface area and stocking it with a fun diversity of materials like felt, googly eyes, pom poms, pipage cleaners, washi tape, tissue paper, popsicle sticks and structure paper. If you're short on space, these astonishing ArtBins can fit plenty supplies for hundreds of projects, and give your kids easy access for whenever they get the urge to craft.

RELATED: All of our tips for creating the Ultimate Homework Station can also exist used for making an incredible Art Area – accept a peek here for some major inspiration!

Alternatively, instead of ownership everything slice-repast, there are fabulous pre-made art kits that come with all sorts of dissimilar materials. Our favorites include the Kid Made Modern Arts & Crafts Library and ALEX Toys Giant Art Jar.

As far as the nuts like crayons, markers, paints and pastels, nosotros've listed all of our top rated products below. Browse through them and add together a few new items to your art arsenal. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh new pack of markers to get our kids' artistic juices spinning again:

(one) Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons: We love these Honeysticks every bit a first crayon for toddlers (peculiarly those who may nonetheless put things in their mouths). They are rubber and non-toxic, made from 100% pure New Zealand beeswax and Food Form colored pigment. They come in a diverseness of shapes/sizes – all of them are easy for niggling fingers to concur, but difficult for them to break.

(two) Watercolor Crayons: These Jar Melo Baby Roo Silky Crayons certainly live up to their name: kids dearest the feeling of how easily they glide onto paper. They are not-toxic, washable and the best function – tin be transformed into a pastel or watercolor simply by adding a petty water. They also take a rotatable torso so no need to mess with fierce newspaper sleeves.

(3) Colored Pencils: When your kids are ready to graduate from crayons, invest in a quality prepare of colored pencils as the difference between these Premier Prismacolors and your average joes is like night and day. These have richly saturated pigments that get on hands (kids don't have to printing hard) and are slap-up for blending and shading.

(4) Watercolor Pencils: Have your colored pencils to a whole new level with these amazing watercolor pencils. Yous can use them like a regular colored pencil, only the magic happens when you add together water. Try dipping the tip into water to get a creamy, vibrant texture, or take a wet castor over your work and blend all your strokes and colors together for a super impressive consequence.  Our child testers could not get enough of these!

(5) Crayola Washable Finger Paints: These finger paints are non-toxic and easy to launder off from skin and article of clothing. Squirt them straight onto paper for a fun sensory painting activity!

(vi) Crayola Washable Kids' Pigment: You tin can't crush the vibrant colors of Crayola'due south non-toxic water-based paints. This set includes ten classic colors perfect for brushes, stamps or sponges. Endeavour dabbing a niggling of each color into a small painter's palette…kids dearest feeling like a true art-eest!

(7) Watercolor Paint Set: If you're looking for a less-mess paint activity, this Prang 16 colour watercolor set up is quick to set-up (all you demand is a castor and water) and can exist put away just as easily…simply close upward the palette!

(8) Melissa & Doug Colossal Pigment Brushes: These extra-big brushes are perfect for toddlers who may still exist learning how to hold their tools properly.

(nine) Assorted Pigment Castor Ready: For preschool and elementary kids, the Crayola Large Paint Brush Ready offers a nice diverseness of sizes, every bit does the ALEX Mini Sparkle Brushes.

(10) Spill Proof Paint Cups: Nosotros discover these cups extremely useful – not only for keeping unused paint fresh (thanks to the air-tight lids), just likewise to make full with water to apply for rinsing brushes. The pigsty in the top keeps heavier brushes from knocking over the cup, and if it is accidentally knocked over, the spill is drastically less. They also fit perfectly in our recommended easel (run into below).

(11) Long Sleeve Fine art Smock: Although our recommended paints are washable, an Art Smock is never a bad idea. This ane has long sleeves and a fun pouch – so supplies are always within an arms' achieve. It hands wipes clean, simply tin can also be thrown into the washing car for a more thorough launder.

(12) Clear Contact Newspaper : Although information technology may non await very exciting, contact paper tin can exist transformed into some pretty awesome crafts. Our favorite: have your kids use tissue paper to brand a pretty dominicus catcher!

(xiii) Oil Pastels: If your kids are growing tired of crayons and markers, try them with this set of Oil Pastels which offer kids the ability to alloy colors together with smooth, creamy strokes.

(xiv) Scissors: A practiced pair of blunt tip kids' pair of scissors is a must for any art area, and this fun Edger set tin can take their crafts to a whole new level of fancy.

(xv) Crayola The Big 40 Washable Markers: All markers aren't made alike and information technology's difficult to vanquish Crayola'south pick of colors. We love this big prepare which includes all unlike shades of the rainbow…and all are ultra-washable.

(sixteen) Crayola Pip Squeaks Telescoping Mark Tower: We love Crayola's Pip Squeaks line, which are neat for smaller easily and for taking on-the-go. This Telescoping Marker Tower gives you like shooting fish in a barrel access to all colors, and makes for a much more impressive gift than your ordinary parcel.

(17) Crayola Castor & Particular Dual-Tip Markers: For kids that accept outgrown the need for washability, this set offers sixteen dual-ended markers with a brush tip for thicker lines, and an ultra-fine tip perfect for details in "adult" coloring books. They come in a great storage can and received rave reviews from our testers.

(18) ALEX Color Changing Markers: Alchemy! Kids go crazy for these interactive markers. They tin exist used to draw and color like a regular marker, merely then magically transformed into a unlike color ink using the magic wand marker. We beloved this set equally it includes 2 magic wands, and the colour changes are crisp and intense.

(19) Gel Pens: A prepare of gel pens makes a great gift for tween/teens to use for doodles, detailed coloring books or writing in their diary.

(20) Crayola Inspiration Art Case: If you're looking for an impressive gift that'southward a great value, look no further than the Crayola Inspiration Art Case. It includes 64 Crayons, 20 Colored Pencils, 40 Washable Markers (plus paper) all in a sturdy storage case. It's a fantastic starter kit, and besides keen to accept on the road.

(21) Sidewalk Chalk:  Nosotros love the possibilities that lie in a unproblematic piece of sidewalk chalk. So much and so, that we wrotea whole post almost it…from learning, to fun photograph opps, what yous tin can do is limited only by your imagination.

RELATED: 101 Genius Sidewalk Chalk Ideas

(22) Playdoh 10-Pack: When you don't have time to make your own, freshen upwardly your supply with this Playdoh 10-pack and so you e'er have some handy when bad atmospheric condition strikes. Although there's a ton of great Playdoh sets on the marketplace (some of our all-time favorites are the Dr. Drill 'north Fill, Pizza Party and Sweet Shoppe), nosotros detect the best open-concluded play is with a quality gear up of Playdoh tools (this 5-slice starter gear up or these wooden dough tools are both stellar) which can cutting, shape, sculpt and flatten dough into whatever your child imagines.

(23) Mucilage Sticks: Nosotros tin't tell y'all how many times we've gone to outset a craft only to observe all of our glue sticks dried up and unusable. They cardinal is to stock upward (and e'er keep a stick or ii in hiding so they can't all exist subjected to a missing top!). This Early Learners Washable Mucilage Stick is one of the best – information technology'southward easy for kids to independently open/shut the cap, is washable, non-toxic and thanks to the triangular shape, doesn't gyre away. It also goes on purple (but dries clear), so it's perfect for younger kids to see where they've already practical the glue.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel: Young artists delight in having their very own workspace to scribble or draw to their hearts content. This deluxe easel from Melissa & Doug is our top performer and jam-packed with features. It includes 2 dissimilar sides: a chalkboard and a dry erase board, which allows more than i kid to employ information technology at a time. Furthermore, the chalkboard is magnetic which really sets it apart from the competition, equally it provides a completely new style to play (and letter and number magnets are even included!).

It comes equipped to hold a gyre of easel paper, which can exist easily pulled through to either side of the easel, and and so neatly torn off confronting the acme of the frame. In that location are 2 removable trays to keep art supplies close at hand, and information technology folds together to save space when not in use.

3-Tier Rolling Storage Cart: OK, starting to wonder "where am I going to put all of these new art supplies?!". We dearest, dear, honey this 3-Tier Metal Rolling Storage Cart. The large baskets are great for papers, coloring books and larger supplies, and the smaller bins on the sides assist keep markers, paint brushes, glue, etc. neatly organized. With 4 casters, yous can simply bike information technology over to your child's called work area, and then store it out of the style when craft time is over. (editor's notation: for kids who dear to craft, this cart would make a very special souvenir stocked to the brim with supplies!)

Art Bin: But if you're looking for a smaller storage choice, these Art Bins fit a surprising amount of supplies, and the tackle-box style compartments keep everything neat and tidy.

Best First Crafts for Toddlers

Finding arts and crafts suitable for toddlers can often be catchy – many are likewise advanced for them to practice independently, and others aren't engaging enough to hold their attention for more than a few minutes. The ones we've selected hitting the sweet spot for age appropriate steps, and were highly engaging to our toddler testers.

We also gave our moms' opinion a great deal of weight in this category. Although we honey to give our kids the liberty to go messy with shaving cream and paints, nosotros found less-mess activities were highly coveted and used far more than often. Therefore, the majority of our top craft kits and supplies for this age grouping are easy to prepare and crave minimal make clean-up (can we get a virtual high v for that?!).

ALEX My Giant Busy Box (iii+)

If you're looking for fun and engaging "pre-packaged" crafts that don't involve whatsoever planning or trips to the craft store, the ALEX My Giant Busy Box is the perfect solution. Inside you'll notice xvi projects that range from creating newspaper handbag puppets, tissue paper pictures, sticker art, collages and moldable dough animals.

The visual instructions are super simple to follow and everything fits nicely inside the big box for storage. We plant this set 1 that our testers came dorsum to again and again, completing 1-2 crafts at a time over the course of several weeks/months. It'southward one where you'll definitely get your money'south worth!

Do-A-Dot Markers (3+)

These genius Do-A-Dot Markers are must-haves for any toddler. They're like shooting fish in a barrel to grasp and have a round sponge tip that can be "stamped" to create a perfect dot, or dragged to embrace more area. The colors are bright, the ink dries quickly, and kids just love to dab them and create their own abstract fine art. Try using them for practicing counting or layering the colors to teach colour mixing.

They come in a diverseness of dissimilar color packs, including the classic rainbow, and this super fun Ice Cream Scented ready (call back Bubble Glue and Cotton Processed). We as well highly recommend the Do-A-Dot Play & Learn Activity Book where kids tin utilise their Do-A-Dot markers to create letters, numbers and shapes.

Orb Manufactory My First Sticky Mosaics (three+)

These My First Sticky Mosaic kits from The Orb Manufactory will result in enough of quiet time as your kid works to create an image using sticky foam, jewel and fuzzy "tiles". They crave kids to match colors and shapes and are a terrific fine-motor activity. Each set comes with 4 projects, and are available in a variety of themes to friction match your kid's interests, including Rescue Vehicles, Princess, Zoo Animals and Fairies. (editor's note: these are i of my go-to birthday party gifts for this historic period group…they are loved past both kids and moms alike!)

Crayola Colour Wonder Mess-Free Products (3+)

If you're even the slightest bit nervous to mitt over a marker to your piffling one (or have had the joy of scrubbing it off of walls or furniture), Crayola has come up to your rescue with their brilliant Color Wonder products. Their special Colour Wonder markers only work on Color Wonder Newspaper – they won't stain skin or textile so there is never any mess! We accept no inkling how they piece of work, but it is sheer genius and allows toddlers to freely create (without you watching them like a militarist), merely like the large kids.

Nosotros suggest this Color Wonder Starter Kit which comes with 2 Color Wonder Pads and 20 Color Wonder mini markers. These are fabulous for carrying with you lot to use at restaurants or traveling. They also make a huge range of character-themed coloring books – and then you tin still satisfy your Manus Patrol, Princess or Mickey Mouse lovers.

This line of products besides extends to stamps and paints, using the same mess-free magic. The Color Wonder Art Desk with Stamps was a fan-favorite in our testing, as was the Color Wonder Magic Light Brush which turns clear "paint" into different colors using a light-up brush – major wow factor with this 1!

Melissa and Doug Water WOW!  (three+)

Speaking of magic, the Water WOW! books from Melissa and Doug are but that. These travel-sized activity/coloring pads come with iv chunky pages and a refillable h2o brush that magically makes colors appear. But equally it dries, the page turns back to white, so your kids tin apply them over and over once again (editor's annotation: I ain a variety of these books and they accept been "painted" countless times…probably hundreds! And they still work perfectly. In that location is one in my purse at all times!).

These are fantastic for cars, restaurants, planes, grocery shop carts…essentially any fourth dimension you take a "waiting" moment. And we found kids are so fascinated past them that every time they're pulled out, they get excited to "paint".

There are plenty of designs – the "coloring" manner ones have fun things to find within the motion picture equally it's colored, and at that place's also educational ones to aid your child larn Letters and Numbers…fifty-fifty Flash Cards!

AquaDoodle Archetype Mat (2+)

Along the same lines equally the Water WOW! books, the Aquadoodle lets your kids turn h2o into color. The Aquadoodle, however, super-sizes the fun with a large mat that can be used anywhere as it's mess-free. Simply fill the Aquadoodle pen with a trivial h2o, and your child can doodle away on the mat – and depending on where they draw, the h2o will plow red, blue, green or majestic. One time it dries, their doodles disappear.

Our tester's loved that they could draw lying on their bellies, and with extra Aquadoodle pens, information technology's a great activity that multiple kids tin do at one time – perfect for siblings and play dates!

Kwik Stix (3+)

These solid tempura painting sticks are zero brusque of genius – at present your toddlers tin can paint without any gear up‐upwards or mess involved. Just twist up the Stix and apply it as your paintbrush – the colors come up out bold and smooth and they dry virtually instantly (editor's note: I love that you tin easily stack your child's finished artwork without having to lay information technology out to dry!).

No more brushes to clean, and Kwik Stix can exist used on paper, cardboard or even wood (although hopefully non on your furniture!).

They come in a huge range of colors and can be overlapped and mixed to create even more.

Nosotros tested a few spots on clothing and it washed right out – hurrah! Genius invention.

This 12-pack is a great starter gear up – add the Metallic and Neon colors for even more than variety. They even come in a Thin version for older kids. Kids go crazy for these!

B. Toys Pop Arty! (4+)

If you're looking for a creative jewelry making kit for the 3-year old age set, the B. Pop-Arty is perfection! This kit comes with fun snap chaplet of all shapes, colors, textures and designs that tin be popped together to create bracelets, necklaces, rings and other trinkets. Best of all, they are completely re-usable – simply pop them apart to create new designs.

Our testers spent a lot of time creating and re-creating with these beads, and nosotros beloved that they come in a sturdy storage container for easy clean-up. As a bonus – the movement of putting the chaplet together and pulling them autonomously is great for developing finger force, fine motor and manus-middle coordination!

Please note: considering of the smaller pieces, the manufacturer's recommended age is 4 years old. However, iii year olds that do not put things into their mouths (and with supervision) will be quite capable of creating with these.

best art books + small sets for Toddlers

Just wait, there's more! We also highly recommend the following books and smaller art sets to proceed on hand for tranquility time activities, rainy days, or but to pull out when the going gets tough!

(1) Melissa & Doug My First Paint With Water: All your child needs to paint is a little water and a paintbrush with these very cool books which have the paint printed correct onto the pages. Kids honey to see the colors appear!

(two) ALEX My Get-go Scribble: This big "scribbling" pad makes the perfect first coloring book for your tot. The simple illustrations aren't overwhelming and allows their creativity to flow freely. The front/back covers are thick and sturdy and information technology fifty-fifty comes with 65+ stickers.

(3) Melissa & Doug "Make A…" Sticker Pads: These large scale "Make A…" series sticker books give  kids hundreds of stickers to make their own scenes. Our child testers especially enjoyed the Brand-A-Meal pad, Sweets and Treats, and Brand-A-Face (the results of the latter tin be quite hilarious!)

(4) Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pads : We as well honey these Sticker Pads that come with 5 glossy background pages and tons of reusable vinyl clings that "stick" to them. Your kid can create their own scenes over and over once again! The clings also stick to windows and dry out-erase boards for boosted play options. These Sticker Pads come in a variety of different themes, including Play House, Animals, Vehicles, Princess Castle, and our favorite, My Boondocks.

(v) Priddy Preschool Colour & Action Book: In that location are lots of simple puzzles (matching, connect the dots, counting), pictures to color, and stickers in this activity book which is perfect for 2-iii year olds. Loftier-quality thick paper and educational content made information technology a parent and toddler favorite.

(six) Usborne First Sticker Books: These beautifully illustrated "consummate the scene" stickers books were easily 1 of  the stars of our testing. The colors are bright and the stickers are but the right size for toddlers to handle (and near could peel them off by themselves – woohoo!). There are a diversity of different themes available including Zoo, Nether the Sea, Aerodrome and Princesses.

(7) Melissa & Doug Wooden Postage Sets: Melissa & Doug take a huge assortment of fantastic wooden stamp sets that are swell for building fine motor skills and for jump starting your child's imagination. For toddlers nosotros suggest the Happy Handles and "My Kickoff" stamp sets which are all super easy for petty fingers to hold (without getting them covered in ink!).

Best Arts + Crafts for Kids Age iv-7

We acknowledge, the amount of arts and crafts options for this age group is pretty darn overwhelming. But that's where we come in – we've done all the leg work and included only the best items to make your decision quick and painless.

Nosotros tested countless products, and when making our terminal selections for this guide, we took many factors into consideration, including:

• Duration – how long did it take our testers to complete the craft. Ultimately we looked for the "sweet spot" that was in betwixt existence too quick (where you don't feel like yous got your coin'due south worth), and too long (where kids' lost interest before finishing).
• Independence – were in that location historic period appropriate steps that tin be done with minimal grown-upwards assist?
• Fun cistron – did the kids want to proceed doing it?
• Longevity – was it a one-and-done craft, or 1 that they tin can do over and over again?
• Usability – bonus points for crafts where the effect was really useable!

Orb Manufactory Costly Craft (5+)

This is i of our favorite crafts for kids in this historic period range and one that is so universal that we always stock pile them for birthday party gifts. Kids absolutely dear creating these plush pillows/stuffed animals, and because there is no sewing involved, they tin can complete the whole projection by themselves.

The pillow comes printed with a numbered fable which corresponds to different colored textile pieces. Kids use a special stylus to punch the fabric into the pillow – it's uncomplicated, simply highly addicting…you'll want to exercise it as well! And the end result is something they're not simply proud of, just tin be used to decorate their room.

Nosotros're partial to the unicorn, cupcake and rainbow heart, but there are besides designs for boys (editor's note: my son loved doing the whale !).

If your kid loves these every bit much as we practice, we also suggest the Plush Craft 3D series, where y'all can make adorable trivial brute figures – this iii-pack of pooches is a sure-fire winner!

Perler Beads (vi+)

These colorful beads are nothing brusk of genius for craft-loving kids, and our testers were transported away for hours (seriously!) creating trinkets and treasures with them.

There are many unlike sets to cull from to cater to your kid'south interests – from rainbow ponies to race cars, but we've plant the Tray 'north Cards Pattern Kit for Classic Chaplet to be the nigh attending-holding product. This gear up comes with a large see-through pegboard and 32 patterns that fit underneath in a sturdy tray. Snap them together and your child tin can add the respective bead colors based on the pattern. They can make awesome detailed creations while working on paw-middle coordination and fine-motor skills.

We suggest investing in a big bucket of beads to accompany this set similar the Perler Beads xi,000 Count-Multi-Mix. If your child becomes a little bead-a-holic like ours, you can purchase additional Pattern Pads for extra designs and the ultimate Bead 'Northward Carry activity eye which has a snap-shut lid for protecting any unfinished projects and mini compartments for colour sorting the beads (which lone can keep your child busy for hours!)

Perler also has a Junior Tray 'n Cards with larger "Biggie Beads" that are a perfect introduction for younger kids (recommended four+), especially those with older siblings working with the archetype chaplet who just want to exist function of the fun.

These Perler Beads also brand slap-up necklaces and bracelets by threading them onto string or pipe cleaners. Another great activity for quiet time!

Loopdedoo (eight+)

We tested A LOT of bracelet making kits, and the Loopdedoo was 1 of the only ones we felt was simple enough for this age group to fully savour. Although the manufacturer's recommended age is 8, with only a trivial grown-upwards assistance to tie-on/off the bracelet, our 5-7 twelvemonth old testers were easily able to use this cool spinning tool to make really impressive looking friendship bracelets.

The Loopdedoo instruction booklet is like shooting fish in a barrel to follow (at that place's besides online videos which our testers found helpful) and gives yous several different styles you lot can create. Kids have free reign to cull the thread colors and thickness they'd like, and just by twisting the tool's knob (no batteries required!), they can brand a bracelet in merely a few minutes – no repetitive weaving or heavy concentration needed.

In that location'southward as well separate addition sets available including fun charms, a necklace/belt kit, and a headband expansion kit. If you're buying this equally a souvenir, include this amazing rainbow pack of embroidery floss (over 100 skeins!) and so they can keep on creating.

Crayola Light-up Tracing Pad (vi+)

The Crayola Light-up Tracing Pad was one of the virtually universally enjoyed items we tested, highly-seasoned to a broad range of ages and abilities, and both boys and girls. Information technology gets cool-points for looking like a tablet, and is super easy to use. Simply turn on the vivid LED light, place one of the included tracing sheets on the surface, then use a blank sail and pencil to trace over the image. Each Tracing Pad comes with x themed tracing sheets (sports/concert or style/horses) which include a main scene plus "accessories" (think different clothing items, hair styles, etc.) that tin be added on top to create a customized movie.

There's also a broad selection of boosted tracing sheets available to impress for free at Crayola.com/tracing. But really, y'all can use whatsoever paradigm on the tablet to trace – a page from their favorite story book, coloring book or other website printable…the LED light is and so brilliant that it can penetrate even a high-quality newspaper thickness.

Our kid testers were really proud of the detailed pictures they were able to create and spent a long time working on them – a wonderful serenity time action that tin be used over and over again.

Make Your Own Stepping Rock Kits (6+)

Want a fun and engaging craft that won't stop up in your trash tin? Make your own stepping stone! These mix, mold and banner kits create cute stepping stones that become personalized keepsakes for your garden. Some of our favorite sets we tested were the Mosaic Star (includes real stained glass), Garden Mosaics, and Made By Me Mix & Mold (great bang for your buck with enough to make four stones).

We also recommend getting these letter of the alphabet stamps so your kids tin easily personalize their stones. And to further up the fun factor, grab some of these glass gem stones for additional decoration.

Now if y'all're not upwards for the mess of molding your own, these Paint Your Own Stepping Stones from Mindware are equally fun and come up out looking great. These stones are ready to paint direct out of the box, and can then be baked in your oven for a weather-resistant terminate.

Consider making several stones and accept your kids give them every bit gifts – they make a special meaningful nowadays for Grandparents or other family members, especially if they include your child's handprint and proper noun!

Illustory Book Making Kit (iv+)

If you have a budding author or illustrator, the Illustory Book Making Kit volition be a massive hitting. This kit allows your child to write, illustrate and then publish their very own, full-colour, professionally printed hardcover book. You should see some of the masterpieces our testers made, and they were SO proud of the finished product (and their moms were equally excited to have such a beautiful memento to proceed forever).

Illustory includes ready-to-use cover, story and illustration template pages, ten markers and a postage-paid envelope to use when sending in your story to be printed. If your child gets stuck on where to start, it likewise comes with a writing guide with book ideas, story planning, and additional tips to assistance spark their imagination.

I of their favorite parts: the "About the Author" feature on the back cover.

In that location'south besides a Comic Book Making Kit for those that would prefer to create a graphic novel!

Pirasta Really Large Coloring Posters (3+)

Super-size your child'due south coloring with these Actually Big Coloring Posters from Pirasta. Roll them out on the floor, dining room table, or hang it on the wall for hours of detailed coloring fun (if yous're annihilation similar us, y'all'll find it hard to resist helping likewise!).

At more than than 5ft x 3ft, these posters volition likely take the entire winter to complete! They come in numerous designs including Food Fight, Funny Farm and our favorite, Permit'southward Colour America.

And bonus – they're made in the United states of america and printed with vegetable ink on recycled content paper!

ALEX Toys Color a Firm (4+)

Talk about a arts and crafts that'due south fun to play with – just look at this adorable little hideaway! ALEX Toys Color a House is super easy to assemble (although it volition likely require your help), and your kids can then colour and doodle away for hours upon hours, decorating it to their hearts-content.

It doubles every bit a fun playhouse with interactive features like an open/close mail slot, birdbath and peekaboo skylight. Put this in their playroom and you may non run across them until dinner time.

It comes with six twin-tipped markers, but you lot could use any marker, colored pencil or crayon that you'd like (our top recommended Kwik Stix were besides fantastic for covering larger areas).

They also take a neat Rocket version and a super beautiful Doghouse which our kid testers enjoyed using with their stuffed animals.

Made By Me Create Your Own Window Art (6+)

Your kids will love decorating their bedroom windows with the colorful lord's day catchers and window clings they make with this Create Your Own Window Fine art kit.

It comes with enough supplies to create 2 different ways. First, your child tin can employ the included pigment tubes to fill-in the pre-made sun catcher templates – the raised outlines continue the paint in place and so they plow out quite professional looking. They can then be displayed using the enclosed suction cups and cording on any glass or mirrored surface.

The second style is to apply the black paint to trace illustrations from the design booklet onto an acetate sheet. One time the outline is dry it can and so be filled in with colored paint and peeled off the sheet to become a window cling.

The dominicus catchers are definitely easier for younger kids to main, but with a lilliputian practice the window clings were what our kid testers came back to create multiple times. Overall a solid kit that is great to go along in stock for a rainy day.

Orb Mill Sticky Mosaics (v+)

The final consequence of these Sticky Mosaics projects are pretty impressive, with hundreds of small tiles being used to backup large cut out designs. Kids can work on them independently thanks to an piece of cake-to-read number legend, and piece of cake-to-skin, thick foam mosaic stickers (some sets even include gems and jewels).

Each gear up comes with four+ projects and they come up in a diverseness of themes, including Unicorn Magic, Ballerinas, Pets, and Dinosaurs. They even have Sticky Mosaic jewelry boxes!

Melissa & Doug Decoupage Made Piece of cake Sets (half dozen+)

We were really impressed with the quality and outcome of these Decoupage Made Easy Sets…and yes, they actually live up to their name! We had five and vi year olds hands creating these super cute paper-maché looking animals all by themselves.

The set comes with pre-cut stickers in a variety of sizes and analogous colors/patterns that can be stuck on and overlapped to completely encompass the animal effigy. Later a coat or two of decoupage glue is spread on, and eyes and nose stickers attached, the craft is consummate and ready to employ or display.

We're especially fond of the Piggy Bank considering of its useability, but the sets come in a variety of unlike animals (and even cupcakes!).

Inventiveness for Kids – Wee Enchanted Fairy Garden (vii+)

Everything your child needs to create their very own Enchanted Fairy Garden is included in this ready, which got rave reviews from our testers. You lot kickoff by painting the potting dish, fairy house, and toadstools, then add soil, gemstones, flowers, butterflies, and fairies of grade! With simply a little water and sunlight, kids can scout the "magic edible bean" and wheat grass seeds begin to abound in but a few days.

The kids became very fastened to their gardens, and enjoyed watering them and rearranging the components for their fairy. One time the vegetation got tall enough, they besides found it pretty fun to give it a "haircut" with scissors! Overall, the plants seemed to last about a month before they had to be tossed – but the dish and accessories can be used over and over once more.

Ed Emberley's Drawing & Fine art Books (6+)

Ed Emberley'southward drawing books are pure genius. Kids love following his piece of cake-to-follow instructions on how to draw anything from a lowly ant, to an elaborate monster – all past adding unproblematic lines and shapes 1 at a time.

You'll be diddled away by the pictures your kids volition draw after using these books, and they are so addicting (we may, ahem, have been caught "testing" them out after bed time a few times). Nosotros have tried nearly all of Mr. Emberley's books and recommend Ed Emberley'due south Complete Funprint Drawing Book as a swell starting signal as it ups the fun-gene by requiring a finger or thumb impress for every drawing.

Others that were enjoyed across the board include Ed Emberley's Cartoon Book of Animals, Ed Emberley'south Drawing Book of Trucks and Trains and Ed Emberley'southward Cartoon Volume: Make a World.

Usborne Sticker Books (iv-6+)

For some reason, all kids seem to be enamored by stickers, merely we've constitute that most sticker books autumn short on truly engaging them for large chunks of time. Not these, even so, from Usbourne – who make many of our favorite high-quality, gorgeous activeness/sticker books for kids.

For older kids (recommended age 6+) the "Build Your Own" series are totally engrossing. Selection your kid'due south favorite thing-du jour (cars, trains, dinosaurs, robots, etc.) and you'll find a book that lets yous "construct" them with stickers – adding different parts and details to complete the picture.

For the younger gear up (recommended historic period four+), nosotros love, love, love their Sticker Dressing serial, which takes the thought of paper dolls to a whole new level. Your kids tin can use the detailed stickers to dress up anyone from Knights to Pirates to Sports Players.

Or apply their Sticker Dolly Dressing books for Princesses, Ballerinas, Movie Stars and many other iterations that girls go crazy over.

all-time art books + small sets for kids age 4-7

We also highly recommend the post-obit smaller arts and crafts sets and books for this age range:

(1) Melissa & Doug Stained Glass Made Like shooting fish in a barrel Kits: Another swell peel-and-stick type craft are these Stained Glass Kits from Melissa & Doug where kids can create framed art or sunday catchers using gel-like puffy stickers. Note that in that location seem to be ii dissimilar versions: some include the stickers laid out in the same position as the design, so kids only need to transfer them over. Others have a number legend that needs to be followed, which makes them slightly trickier for younger kids.

There'due south a multitude of dissimilar designs that appeal to both boys and girls including: Undersea, Butterfly, Unicorn, Dragon, Mermaid, Owl, and smaller sun catcher kits like this Heart & Rainbow one.

(2) Paint by Sticker Kids: These cool sticker books let kids to create modern pieces of art simply by adding geometric stickers. Think of them as a no-mess "paint"-by-number arts and crafts. They come up in various themes including Zoo Animals, Unicorn Magic, Bugs and Under the Sea.

(3) Fold 'n Wing: Paper airplanes have been around since, well, newspaper – and they're great fun for kids one time they know all the secrets to making fast flyers. This Fold 'due north Fly kit teaches them how to make 6 different kinds of planes, and includes fun paper, stickers and a folding tool.

(4) Great Pretenders Color-a-Cape: These awesome Color-a-Capes give you lot 2 presents in ane: a detailed coloring project, and a fun prop for imaginative play. The cape comes printed with outlines of images (from Fairies, to Superheroes, to Princesses), that your child can bring to life with the 8 included markers.

(5) Melissa and Doug Wooden Dewdrop Sets: Your budding jewelry designers will be in heaven with any of the Melissa & Doug bead sets – they all come with a variety of different sized/shaped chaplet, and strong cording with plastic ends that go far easy for kids to thread themselves. The Bead Bouquet was a favorite for the bright colors, and kids loved that they could employ the Alphabet Beads to create personalized necklaces and bracelets.

(6) Doodle Books: For kids who are always asking "what should I draw?", we found a fabulous choice of doodle-fashion books which offering fun prompts and pictures to complete. Some of the favorites included the Star Wars Doodles, Marvel Doodles, and the Girls' and Boys' Doodle Books.

RELATED: Gift Guide: The Best Gifts for Super Hero & Star Wars Lovers

(seven) Mudpuppy Make-A-Mask and Color-In Crowns: We love the top-quality puzzles from Mudpuppy so we had loftier hopes for these ambrosial color-in masks and crowns, which nosotros're happy to study lived up to our expectations. The Brand-A-Mask sets come with 8 themed masks with plenty of details to colour, and the Color-In Crowns include 8 crowns (two designs). These make for great playdate or altogether party activities besides!

(8) Dan Green "How To Draw 101…" Books: We tried a lot of the "how to draw" books for this age group, and few truly broke downwards the steps into unproblematic enough strokes for them to savour. We previously mentioned Ed Emberley'south genius serial, but Dan Green's "How to Describe 101…" books are a close rival for providing piece of cake to follow pace-past-stride instructions. Whether information technology exist animals, funny people, or fairies, this serial will give your kids oodles of confidence in their drawing skills.

(9) Mudpuppy Coloring Roll: Forget your run-of-the-mill coloring books, catch one of these Coloring Rolls for 10 anxiety of beautifully illustrated designs. Our child testers thought it was so fun to roll it out on the floor, and as parents, nosotros loved that it can easily exist rolled back up and stored in the box once they are washed. Also bank check out Mudpuppy's Activity Rolls which incorporate mazes, drawing and puzzles.

(10) Kid Made Modern Pigment a Picnic: This creative kit includes 27 wooden nutrient shapes and all the supplies you lot need to paint and decorate them. You can fifty-fifty paint the picnic basket then utilize information technology to store your "food". A fun craft and great addition to any kids' play kitchen.

Best Arts + Crafts for Tweens + Teens

This age group is always tough when it comes to finding gifts and activities they'll go excited about (that aren't connected to a screen). Withal, nosotros found some wonderful craft kits that kept them highly engaged, and allowed them to unleash their inner creativity. Here are the ones that topped our list:

Craftster's Woodland Friends Sewing Kit (7+)

We tested several different "beginner" sewing kits, and the Craftster's Woodland Friends was by far the best. The #1 advantage: pre-punched holes in the felt which acted every bit a guide for stitches and made it easier for the needle to glide through. This kit comes with everything you demand to make 5 ambrosial niggling stuffed animals (including pre-cut felt) and easy-to-follow instructions – all in a portable bear case that's peachy for storage.

For our 7-nine yr erstwhile testers, each animal took about 45-sixty minutes from start to finish, and boy were they proud of their creations (as they should exist)! This makes a lovely gift and teaches kids a useful skill they can use throughout their lives.

There is also a Monster version where kids can create five niggling monsters and an iPhone case/wallet.

ALEX DIY Friends 4 e'er! (eight+)

This clever kit allows kids to brand woven friendship bracelets past performing elementary repetitive motions on the included cream tools. Using these color-coded looms kids can make bracelets with 8 different patterns and it comes with over xx colors of string, beads, and a storage case.

A few things to notation: you will likely need to walk your child through the instructions to set up-upward the looms, or have them sentry the step-past-pace videos on YouTube. But once they get the hang of how to motility the strings, they tin can easily repeat them over and over over again and watch the bracelets form. We will admit, the progress is slow-moving. For many testers information technology took several rounds of working on the bracelet earlier it was consummate, but all of them shared the sentiment of ane of our 8 year olds who said "this is Then fun!".

ALEX Guy Gear DIY Cobra Bands (8+)

When it comes to craft kits, it'due south near definitely a girls' world – the majority are full of pink, sparkles and jewels – and then it was refreshing to encounter the ALEX Toys Guy Gear DIY Cobra Bands kit, geared specifically to boys. And much to our delight, this kit won rave reviews from the boys we had effort information technology out (despite some of their initial moans and groans about bracelets existence for "girls"…in one case they saw the box and how cool they turned out, they quickly changed their tune).

Once the kids learned the "cobra" knot, they were able to quickly end a bracelet, complete with a bang-up buckle closure. The kit comes with enough materials to make 5 bracelets, which the boys proudly wore afterwards they were complete.

And aye, there is of course a version for girls besides.

STMT Ultimate Jewelry Ready (8+)

The problem with a lot of the jewelry making kits for this finicky tweens/teen age group is that the cease result isn't something they actually want to wearable. Luckily, still, that is not the case with the sets from STMT, which include premium materials and modernistic designs, that turn out pretty darn professional.

The STMT Ultimate Jewelry Prepare makes for a really impressive gift due to its sheer size, and is loaded with all sorts of fun materials, including spiked beads, cowrie shells, colorful tassels, suede cording and alphabet beads. There are fifteen dissimilar projects to create and nosotros dear that there's an organized case for keeping all of the tiny beads under control.

Other sets that actually impressed our tweens/teens were Simply Charming, Leather Jewelry and Wooden Charm & Tassel Jewelry. Y'all actually tin can't go incorrect with any of them.

These sets do require manipulation of very small beads, jump rings, clasps and pliers so we found that kids younger than x needed some help for some of the projects, but teens were able to do them independently.

Faber-Castell Pottery Studio (eight+)

If your kids have graduated from Playdoh, effort them with the Faber-Castell Pottery Studio which introduces them to the fine art of hand sculpted pottery. It comes loaded with clay, tools, paint, glaze, brushes, an apron and table cover, illustrated instructions and ideas galore. The pottery wheel spins with a battery-powered pes pedal which kids looooove to employ (but alert, it is loud!).

Information technology does have some exercise, but kids have a smash creating everything from pinch pots to figurines. Information technology's irresistible fun – then much and so that you'll desire to go your hands messy and give information technology a attempt likewise (and nosotros will say, information technology can go pretty messy). Old apparel and the table embrace are definitely necessary!

Melissa & Doug Created-by-me Flower Fleece Quilt (6+)

Talk well-nigh a useful arts and crafts! This Flower Fleece Quilt starts equally 48 square material pieces, but after a little patience and many knots, it tin be transformed into an extra-big, super cozy colorful blanket! If your kid tin can make a knot, they can consummate this project independently – and once they start, they'll have a hard time stopping…the progress is heady equally their quilt takes shape and grows and grows. All they have to do is constrict the fringe pieces into slits, tie them together, and echo.

If your kid becomes as hooked as our testers, they may also exist interested in the Brand Information technology Real Unicorn Hoodie Blanket which is made using a similar technique.

Rainbow Loom (eight+)

Condom band bracelets exploded onto the craft scene several years ago, and fifty-fifty though the craze has subsided somewhat, the fun of creating them has not. There are numerous unlike "looms" on the market to make these bracelets, merely the one to get is the original Rainbow Loom. It not only comes with the loom, merely a sturdy metal hook, a mini hand-held loom, and over 600 bands to get started.

Although it comes with instructions, we recommend having your child watch a few YouTube how-to videos so they tin easily visualize what to exercise. This kit will let y'all to make numerous dissimilar patterns, simply if your kids get hooked (ahem, literally!), the Loom Band It book is fantastic for additional ideas.

Pair it with a massive refill bundle with over xi,000 bands in a slap-up storage container, plus beans, charms, clips and more than!

Craft-tastic The Cord Fine art Kit (10+)

This unique craft kit had one 12 year-old daughter exclaim, "I'm totally hanging this in my room!". And nosotros can't blame her for wanting to display the final outcome – the String Art designs are colorful and merely manifestly cool.

The kit comes with iii unlike canvases with pre-printed dots where you lot identify your pins. Y'all and so wrap your string effectually the pins and repeat several times with different colors.

This i comes with a heart, peace sign and "hi" letters, but there'due south several others with additional designs, including this popular Rainbow/Unicorn ane.

Sewing Automobile

Learning to run up can inspire so much creativity in a child – having the skills to brand their own clothes, toys, quilts and anything else their imagination dreams up tin can be so powerful. For children learning how to utilise a automobile, nosotros recommend theJanome Derby Line. It's simple to use, includes 10 built‐in stitches, and has a nifty built‐in finger baby-sit to keep them safe from the sharp needle. Information technology's calorie-free‐weight then kids can bring it anywhere, and they all honey the brilliant color combinations.

Add on this fun modern sewing basket with beginner's supplies, and a cute pin cushion to brand certain they have everything at hand to get started right away.

And if y'all want to pair the motorcar with some inspiration, we highly recommend the amazing guide,Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make. The instructions and cut‐out patterns are elementary enough for children aged 5 and up, and the projects include fun items similar pillows, dolls and blankets. It's all you demand to go a kid excited about sewing.

ALEX Toys My Chunky & Funky Scarf (7+)

The all-time learn‐to‐knit kit we've found for immature kids is this My Mesomorphic& Funky Scarf from ALEX Toys. The instructions are as unproblematic as information technology gets, and the included knitting needles are shorter and thicker to brand it easier for kids to maneuver them. The yarn is squeamish and chunky then they can see their stitches, and information technology can exist used to knit a scarf and matching hat. A great simple set up to become them started on their knitting take chances.

Best art books & small-scale arts and crafts sets for tweens + teens

Looking for even more than crafts? These books and smaller sets also tested highly with our tween/teens.

(1) Fashion Sketch Portfolio books: For kids with a dear of dressing upwardly and style, these Fashion Sketch Portfolio books will allow them to design countless outfits using the included sketch sheets, stencils and stickers. For those that are into American Girl dolls, be sure to catch this version!

(2) JustBe Charm Bracelet Kit: Maybe the easiest jewelry making set on our listing, all you need to create an impressive looking charm bracelet is to unscrew the clasp and slip on the charms and beads. There are enough supplies in this kit to make 3 bracelets, merely they tin be remade with unlike combinations over and over again. The set fifty-fifty comes with a really sweet little bamboo jewelry box to storage the charms and bracelets when not in use.

(3) Klutz Paper Flying Dragons: This book is a dragon-lovers dream! Think of it every bit newspaper airplanes on steroids: with it kids can brand and fly 12 actually cool-looking newspaper dragons. Although the instructions are very good, you lot'll probably have to help those younger than 10, or those that may not accept the patience to concentrate on the various steps. The book also includes neat dragon facts/stories. At that place are also Harry Potter and Star Wars versions!

(four) Kawaii Doodle Course: Cuteness abounds in this volume which breaks down the steps of how to draw adorable petty tacos, sushi, flowers and many more Kawaii characters. There'due south also tips and inspiration for giving your drawings different facial expressions and accessories. Just try and become through it without saying "awwww, cute"!

(five) Coloring Washi Tape:  Kids love decorating their school supplies with this awesome washi tape featuring detailed designs that they tin can colour‐in. This i was really popular with the 8–14 yr olds we shared it with, and even made it on our Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide! Pair information technology with an crawly fix of gel pens then they can become straight to work.

(6) Melissa and Doug Stitch by Colour:Thanks to the large pre-made holes, colored lines and sturdy, like shooting fish in a barrel-to-concord wooden board, these acquire-to-stitch kits were by far the best nosotros tested, and didn't frustrate the kids like many of the other more advanced embroidery sets. The plastic needle has a rounded tip and is easy to thread with the included threader. Kids will learn 2 types of stitches and take a cute finished slice to brandish.

(7) Klutz Sew Mini Treats: For more advanced sewers, the Klutz Sew together Mini Treats fix gives you 18 small projects to stitch and stuff to create the most adorable petty food plushies.

(eight) Shrinky Dinks 3D Flower Jewelry: While we would recommend whatever Shrinky Dinks set, this 3D Flower Jewelry ane stands out from the crowd. Information technology comes with a special silicone mold to shape the Shrinky Dinks into flower charms that tin can then be added to the included necklace or bracelet chains, or fabricated into earrings.

(nine) On ‐ The ‐ Go "Adult" Coloring Volume:  These 8"x5" mandala‐style coloring books are the perfect size for taking on-the-become, and are available in a variety of fun themes including Christmas, Animals and "Fun".

(10) Friendship Bracelets 101: Forget the looms, if yous want your kids to make Friendship Bracelets the "quondam fashioned" way, this book volition teach them how with clear pace-by-step instructions and dozens of different means to knot and twist patterns like chevrons, stripes, waves, zigzags, diamonds and more.

All-time Arts + Crafts Subscription Boxes for Kids

For kids that are craft crazy, what could be more exciting than receiving new all-inclusive crafts in the post every month? These make amazing gifts (that really exercise go on on giving!).

We Craft Box

Every month the Nosotros Arts and crafts Box comes loaded with a themed story, coordinating craft materials, and easy-to-follow photo directions – substantially everything your child needs to commencement immediately creating. At that place'south a new theme with each box – from outer space, to Llamas and lollipops!

Equally a parent, it's a completely stress-free experience – no trips to the arts and crafts store, no searching online for creative activities, everything is already gear up-up and thought through.

For older kids, these boxes can be completed independently, for younger children (under 6) they are fun to sit and do together.

You tin pay month-to-month or salve with three, 6 or 12 month prepaid subscriptions. They likewise sell single one-off boxes that are nifty for keeping on manus for when you become hit with the "Moooom, I'm booored"south.

Kiwi Crate's Putter Crate (9-16+)

From one of our favorite subscription box companies for kids, Kiwi Co., Doodle Crate provides hands-on craft ideas for kids ages nine-16+. They provide all of the necessary high-quality materials and detailed instructions with each box – plus some fun design inspiration. But what actually sets Doodle Crate'southward crafts apart, are the creative techniques they teach – from Sumi-e Ink Launder Painting to candle making. Information technology'due south like an fine art class in a box!

KiwiCo is very flexible and allows y'all to switch which crate your child receives at any time. Subscriptions are available on a month‐to‐month, 3‐month, 6‐calendar month or 12‐calendar month basis.

But look, there's more than! If yous love the thought of non‐toy gifts, but would even so like to requite something that IS  a toy, you'll want to head over toThe Ultimate TOY  Gift Guide For Kids. We've given our summit recommendations based on extensive testing for functionality, longevity and fun (all based on your kid'due south electric current obsession!)

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Source: https://whatmomslove.com/guides/best-arts-crafts-supplies-gifts-for-kids/

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