Top 5 Art Supplies for Kids (Used Every Week at MakeArt)

One question we hear often at MakeArt is:

"What art supplies should I have at home?"

The answer doesn't have to be a giant craft closet! A few open-ended materials can inspire hours of creativity, exploration, and imagination.

At MakeArt, we focus on process art—giving children the freedom to experiment, make choices, and discover their own ideas. These are five supplies we reach for every week because they invite kids to create in endless ways.

1. Paint Sticks

Paint sticks are a MakeArt favorite!

They are easy for little hands to use, create bright colors, and allow children to make large marks, drawings, and paintings without a complicated setup.

We love using them on paper, cardboard, wood, and mixed-media projects.

Great for: quick creative invitations, toddlers, and artists who love making bold marks.

Pair them with tape for amazing creations

2. Watercolors

Watercolors are a beautiful way for children to explore color mixing, layering, and experimentation.

A simple watercolor set can become a tool for discovering what happens when colors blend, when more water is added, or when different techniques are explored.

Great for: painting, experimenting, and learning about color.

3. Air-Dry Clay

There is something magical about creating with clay!

Air-dry clay allows children to slow down, use their hands, and transform an idea in their imagination into something they can touch and build.

Children can pinch, roll, sculpt, and create anything from tiny creatures to abstract designs.

Great for: sensory exploration, fine motor skills, and 3D creativity.

4. Acrylic Markers

Acrylic markers are one of our favorite supplies for adding details and designs to artwork.

They work beautifully on surfaces like wood, clay, rocks, and cardboard, making them a fun addition to mixed-media projects.

A note from MakeArt: Acrylic markers are not washable, so we recommend adult supervision and protecting your workspace while using them.

Great for: older kids, decorating, and adding creative details.

5. Masking Tape

Never underestimate the power of a roll of tape!

Masking tape is one of those simple materials that can become almost anything. Kids use it to build, create patterns, make designs, attach materials, and solve creative challenges.

Great for: building, inventing, and exploring! Pair it with watercolors or paint sticks to create resist techniques, patterns, and endless open-ended creations.

Bonus: Large Paper Roll — The Canvas for Big Ideas

A great supply deserves a great canvas!

Many of our favorite MakeArt materials shine even more when children have a large space to create. A roll of paper allows kids to make bigger movements, experiment freely, and create without worrying about running out of space.

We love large paper because it invites children to move, explore, and think bigger. Sometimes giving children more space is all they need to unlock their biggest ideas.

Our MakeArt Tip: Keep It Open-Ended

The best art supplies are the ones that don't tell children exactly what to make.

Give them materials, space, and time—and watch their ideas come to life.

At MakeArt, we believe creativity grows when children are free to explore, experiment, and make something uniquely theirs.

Happy creating!