Encouraging creativity is one of the most important things we can do for our kids. Regardless of whether a kid considers themselves an artist (and they should!), there are a wide variety of kits and artistic mediums to explore. Most kids love to paint, color, and draw, and giving them gifts that allow them to express themselves makes us happy too! Here are some of the best art gifts for kids.
Best Art Gifts for Kids Ages 5–7
1. Dot Markers
These markers fit perfectly in little hands and will provide your art lover with hours of fun. They are washable, nontoxic, and come with a bonus activity book to help your child learn about letters and numbers.
Real teacher review: “As a teacher, I’m always on the lookout for quality, not-too-expensive school supplies and all kinds of things for crafts. Let’s just say this was a bingo! The students love it, and they get to use it as a reward. Glad I got it since it does motivate them to treat it with respect.”
Buy it: Dot Markers at Amazon
2. Low-Mess Crafts for Kidsby Debbie Chapman
This helpful book is full of easy-to-follow projects that will allow your kids to get their creative juices flowing without making a huge mess. Added bonus: Many of the projects use things you already have lying around the house!
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Real teacher review: “This book is amazing. I’m having lots of fun digging into it with my 3-year-old and my young ESL students. The crafts really are low-mess. The pictures are beautiful, and the creations are fun.”
Buy it: Low-Mess Crafts for Kids at Amazon
3. How To Draw 101 Animalsby Dan Green
Learning to draw recognizable animals will make your child feel empowered and satisfied. This is a great guide with lots of pictures and detailed instructions that will help improve kids’ concentration skills and keep their minds occupied for hours.
Real teacher review: “The easy-to-follow directions and step-by-step process made it easy for my first grade students to create their pictures.”
Buy it: How To Draw 101 Animals at Amazon
4. Crayola Washable Finger Paints
Grab some paper and let your kids create a masterpiece without worrying about staining a thing. These Crayola paints are nontoxic and come in squeezable bottles with flip-top caps to keep spills to a minimum.
Real teacher review: “These are very good, vibrant finger paints. I am a preschool teacher, so I am well versed in finger paint. They are a good consistency (not too thick, not too runny), and they washed off of my students’ hands easily without staining.”
Buy it: Crayola Washable Finger Paints at Amazon
5. 3D Texture Paintbrushes
Add new dimension to painting projects with these texturized brushes. They are easy to clean and have easy-grip handles for hours of creating.
Real teacher review: “I got these for my kindergarten classroom, and they were an absolute hit. The kids were so happy with their ‘stars’ and ‘flowers’ and experimented by twirling the brushes around and sliding them across the paper.”
Buy it: 3D Texture Paintbrushes at Amazon
6. Rock Painting Kit
This rock-painting kit comes with standard and metallic paints, art transfers, googly eyes, gems, and much more. Rocks included!
Real teacher review: “This was fun for my class. There are 10 small rocks, 12 paints, stickers, glitter glue, googly eyes, paintbrushes, a sponge, and gems in this kit … everything you need for 10 children to have craft time. They will have to share and take turns because there are only 2 paintbrushes and 1 sponge unless you have more somewhere.”
Buy it: Rock Painting Kit at Amazon
7. Color by Numbers: Vehicles
Color- and paint-by-number books are the perfect art gifts for kids since they help reinforce color and number recognition. Little ones will certainly feel proud of their finished product!
Real user review: “Beautiful pictures of vehicles for him to color by number.”
Buy it: Color by Numbers at Amazon
8. Wooden Stamp Set
Little ones love using animals in their artwork but typically aren’t ready to draw realistic versions just yet. This stamp set allows them to experiment with stamps and ink pads while also adding a wide variety of animals to their drawings.
Real teacher review: “I have been using stamps for homeschool for about 3 years, and it was time to get some new stamps. I decided on this one because it had quite the variety and I thought it looked like fun. My kids, 8, 7, and 6 years old, all love them.”
Buy it: Wooden Stamp Set at Amazon
9. Pom-Pom Art Set
This kit is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers since they will likely be able to complete the cute sea-life pictures with very little assistance. We also love that it is relatively mess-free.
Real user review: “I like the National Geographic brand and, like most parents, am always looking for a fun activity to occupy my son, so this product quickly caught my eye. My son was excited to complete it and was able to do it with no help, a definite bonus!”
Buy it: National Geographic Pom-Pom Arts and Crafts Kit at Amazon
10. Drawing Tablet
This LCD tablet is perfect for even the littlest artists and can be taken anywhere, even in the car! We think the best art gifts for kids provide a fun and creative alternative to electronics.
Real user review: “As a parent, nurturing your child’s creativity is a top priority. My journey with the LCD Drawing Writing Tablet has been nothing short of a revelation, providing a canvas for my daughter’s imagination and making our home a hub of colorful, eco-friendly artistry.”
Buy it: LCD Drawing Tablet at Amazon
Best Art Gifts for Kids Ages 8–10
1. Amazing Art Spinner
Your kids can make amazing art with this spinning kit—no batteries required. They can also create one-of-a-kind cards and pictures. It’s so fun, you may want to join in!
Real teacher review: “Have used it several times with my students. They love it. Easy to do and great fun.”
Buy it: Amazing Art Spinner at Amazon
2. String Art Kit
A string art kit is a great way to sharpen hand-eye coordination and let your kids get creative with a medium other than paint or markers. The canvases allow for easy hanging when they are done.
Real teacher review: “My students love playing with these. I usually buy a few at the beginning of the school year, and they make great indoor recess projects, or I save them as a prize if we are running a reading contest.”
Buy it: String Art Kit at Amazon
3. I Am Confident, Brave & Beautiful: A Coloring Book for Girls
This coloring book is a #1 bestseller for a reason. It not only promotes creativity with 22 pages to color, but it opens the door to have empowering conversations with our girls about self-confidence and what it really means to be beautiful and brave.
Real teacher review: “This is great to have in my classroom. Girls in elementary school need to start learning about confidence in a different way than I did as a child growing up in the ’80s. There are many great conversation starters.”
Buy it: I Am Confident, Brave & Beautiful: A Coloring Book for Girls at Amazon
4. How To Draw Cool Things by Rachel Goldstein
This book shows kids how to draw cartoons and 3D shapes and take their drawing to the next level while building confidence. Your child will feel so satisfied when they see their drawing jump off the page and come to life.
Real teacher review: “It was a fun and overall great book! My students loved practicing the impossible drawings and the roll drawings!”
Buy it: How To Draw Cool Things at Amazon
5. Made by Me! Window Art
You’ll get your money’s worth with this kit since it comes with 20 projects. When your students are finished, you’ll have stunning light-catchers to hang in the window.
Real teacher review: “I used this in my third grade classroom for a project. Each student made one, and they were really easy and looked great when finished. Note they do take a few days to dry, though.”
Buy it: Made by Me! Window Art at Amazon
6. Marbling Paint Art Kit
Marbling paint is a unique experience that many kids will love. Colorful pigments are used to “draw” patterns on water and get transferred to a surface with strong water absorption, such as paper, wood, cloth, and even plaster!
Real review: “A very fun activity for kids and adults. Less mess than acrylic pouring. Wish there was more paper included. Tips for the solution: Use hands to melt it, and then it’s ready. You don’t need to wait for 12 hours.”
Buy it: Marbling Paint Art at Amazon
7. Children’s Art Portfolio
Storing all of the masterpieces the little artists in your life create can prove challenging, but we think this portfolio provides the perfect solution.
Real teacher review: “Love these portfolios! This is exactly what I was looking for to organize and store all of my kids’ artwork. They are the perfect size to hold even oversized projects. I love that the outside is sturdy and the inside has dividers and stretches to fit lots of artwork.”
Buy it: HearthSong Art Portfolio at Amazon
8. Tie-Dye Kit
Upper-elementary school to middle school kids love to tie-dye their own shirts, so why not gift them this fun kit? You can even use this set to hold a tie-dye party, but be aware that a mess could ensue!
Real user review: “Hard to beat the value of 4 shirts for 30 bucks, and the experience was very fun, made an evening out of it. Easy process, good product, came with everything you need. Highly recommend.”
Buy it: Tie-Dye Kit at Amazon
9. 3D Printing Pen
3D printing is becoming bigger and bigger, and with this cool and affordable 3D pen, anyone can get in on the fun! While it is perfect developmentally for this age group to use on their own, you will want to remind them that it gets hot!
Real user review: “Overall very easy to use and good quality. Bought for my 5-year-old, who is still learning to use this but really enjoys it. The tip of the pen can get very hot so adult supervision required! Well worth it!”
Buy it: SCRIB3D P1 3D Printing Pen at Amazon
10. Make Your Own Fridge Magnets
We love art gifts for kids that can turn around and be given as gifts themselves! Kids will enjoy creating magnets to give as gifts, and the recipients will certainly enjoy displaying them on their fridge!
Real user review: “Bought this as a project for my 3rd grader … she loved it and so did her 7th grade cousin. … Came with everything you need, was easy to set up, make a few magnets in an hour, clean up and put away until next time.”
Buy it: Fridge Magnets at Amazon
Best Art Gifts for Kids Ages 11–13
1. Sketch and Drawing Pencil Kit
This inexpensive kit will provide your young artist with all the professional tools they need to make simple sketches or elaborate drawings. The best art gifts for kids in upper grades should include some materials that they may not have used before, and with a blender and different types of erasers, this one does just that.
Real teacher review: “If you are looking for a good set of pencils and other drawing materials, as a former art teacher I would recommend this set. It has more than enough drawing tools and in the appropriate types. The drawing pencils are very good for any type of drawing, from very fine mechanical-type drawing to sketching.”
Buy it: Sketch and Drawing Pencil Kit at Amazon
2. Artify Marker Set
These alcohol-based markers allow for precise lines. The kit comes with 40 colors, and kids can even create their own shades by blending with the white marker. Be aware, however, that you want to use a heavier-weight paper so the markers don’t bleed through.
Real teacher review: “I purchased two sets for my junior high art class, and my students love them. You can blend them to make your own colors, and my students enjoy doing that just as much as they like drawing with them.”
Buy it: Artify Marker Set at Amazon
3. Lightweight Easel With Bag
Your budding artist will feel like a pro with this lightweight easel that comes with a bag for easy travel and storage. It can stand on a tabletop or on the ground to adjust to kids’ creativity needs.
Real teacher review: “Love it! Compact, easy to assemble, lightweight. Use it for my mobile art school, and all my students like these easels.”
Buy it: Lightweight Easel With Bag at Amazon
4. Oil Pastels
Pastels are a great alternative to colored pencils and paint. They can be blended to make one-of-a-kind shades. This gift box comes with 50 colors that can be used on paper or canvas.
Real teacher review: “I use this pastel set in the classroom at least 2 to 4 times a month. The pastels never look used and don’t break (so far). They are nice-sized pieces, about 3 inches each and narrow, which is easy for little hands to manipulate. There are plenty of colors to do most every project.”
Buy it: Oil Pastels at Amazon
5. Manga for the Beginner by Christopher Hart
So many teens and tweens are into drawing manga characters, and Christopher Hart’s books come highly recommended. He provides step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. Your kids are sure to be proud of their manga drawings when following this book.
Real teacher review: “Christopher Hart is a genius; he integrates art education with manga technique. I’m an art teacher and tutor, and I gave this one to my student as an incentive prize. He loves it!”
Buy it: Manga for the Beginner at Amazon
6. How To Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine V. Holmes
This drawing guide is designed for both teachers and students, providing a great opportunity to collaborate and create in the classroom.
Real teacher review: “I love the author’s belief about her students! And these are fabulous art exercises that I will use for my classes!”
Buy it: How To Draw Cool Stuff at Amazon
7. Lap Desk/Easel
This wooden lap desk will hold art supplies while also providing a nice flat surface to draw on anywhere! We especially love how sophisticated it looks.
Real user review: “This is a sturdy, solid lap desk, very attractive and indeed rather elegant. I chose it over other lap desks because of the storage compartment that is under the desk itself.”
Buy it: Acacia Wood Lap Desk at Amazon
8. Watercolor Paint Set
In addition to having 48 shades of watercolor paint to choose from, this set also comes with a pretty tin case that makes it easy to take on the go. The brush fills with water so students just need to dip it into the watercolor paint swab of their choice.
Real user review: “Comes with watercolor cards, water brush, paintbrush, black fine-liner, and a swatch card … perfect compact watercolor set for travel. The colors are so pretty and vibrant and they lay down smoothly on paper.”
Buy it: Watercolor Paint Set at Amazon
9. Moleskin Sketchbook
Every budding artist needs a good-quality sketchbook to keep with them so they can sketch things as inspiration strikes! We especially love that these high-quality sketchbooks have thick pages to reduce bleed-through.
Real user review: “It’s just the greatest drawing/sketch book ever! I have all different sizes!”
Buy it: Moleskin Sketchbook at Amazon
10. Art Dice
These dice would make for the perfect gift for any artist who might be struggling with finding inspiration. They also make for a fun class project. Kids will wait with anticipation to see what they will be drawing and with what materials.
Real user review: “I love these dice. There is a large range of combinations to use that makes it perfect for ideas, especially if you get art block! These work very well for me, and I think they would make excellent gifts for art teachers or fellow artists.”
Buy it: Art Dice at Amazon
What are your favorite art gifts for kids? Come and share in our We Are Teachers Helpline group on Facebook.
Plus, check out the best gifts for STEM-loving kids.
