Art Supplies to Have at Home for Preschoolers

An important element of expression through art is being free to create without boundaries. Children are naturally great at being free and creative with art and using vibrant colors and it is important to allow your preschooler or child to explore in this manner at home as well. It can be overwhelming to find art supplies, store them, and clean up. Do not let the possibility of mess stop you from enjoying art time with your young kids.

Roll up your sleeves, stock up on your favorite art craft supplies, and start creating. You and your child will have SO much fun and come up with amazing art to display for years to come!

Why are Art Projects Important to Do with Your Children?

Fine Motor Skills: Many of these items, such as buttons, string, pom poms, and pipe cleaners, require precise manipulation, which can help develop fine motor skills in young children.
Texture and Sensory Exploration: Items like feathers, pom poms, and buttons provide tactile and sensory experiences, allowing kids to explore different textures and shapes.
Three-Dimensional Art: Materials like popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and feathers can be used to create three-dimensional sculptures and crafts, encouraging spatial thinking and creativity.
Color and Visual Appeal: Googly eyes, colorful buttons, and pom poms add a visual pop to art projects, making them more appealing and engaging for children.
Collage and Mixed Media: These supplies are excellent for collage and mixed-media projects, allowing children to experiment with various materials and techniques.
Educational Opportunities: Using these materials, you can introduce educational concepts such as patterns, colors, counting, and sorting while doing art activities.
Stamps and Stencils: Stamps and stencils provide a way for children to create repeated patterns and designs with ease, promoting creativity and precision.
Group and Individual Projects: Many of these supplies can be used for both individual and group projects, making them suitable for playdates, family art sessions, or classroom settings.
Easy Cleanup: These materials are generally easy to clean up after use, making art activities more manageable for parents and caregivers.
Endless Possibilities: These supplies can be used in countless ways, making them versatile additions to your art arsenal. Children can use them for anything from making greeting cards to constructing sculptures.
Encouragement of Imagination: These materials often lack pre-defined functions, allowing children to use their imaginations freely and come up with their own ideas for their use.
Creativity and Versatility: These supplies offer a wide range of creative possibilities. Children can use them to make unique and imaginative artworks, fostering their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Incorporating a variety of art supplies like the ones mentioned can enrich your child's art experiences, encouraging creativity, fine motor development, and artistic exploration. They also provide opportunities for open-ended play and learning, making them valuable assets for art projects at home.

What Age Can I Start Doing Art Projects With My Child?

Good news, you can start introducing kids arts activities to your child at a very young age, even during infancy. Art activities can be adapted to suit the developmental age groups of your child. Here's a rough guideline for when to begin art-related activities with your child:

Infants (0-12 months):
- At this age, you can introduce your child to art by using sensory experiences like finger painting with edible paints (made from baby cereal and food coloring), allowing them to explore colors and textures.
- Mobiles with colorful shapes or pictures can be hung above the crib for visual stimulation.
Toddlers (1-3 years):
- Toddlers can start using non-toxic crayons, large markers, or finger paints to create simple drawings and scribbles.
- Provide large pieces of paper or cardboard for them to work on.
- Focus on the process rather than the end result, and let them explore freely.
Preschoolers (3-5 years):
- Preschoolers can engage in more structured art activities, such as drawing recognizable objects and basic shapes.
- Encourage them to experiment with different art supplies like colored pencils, washable markers, and watercolors.
- Introduce simple craft projects like making collages, decorating paper with stickers, or using playdough to create sculptures.
School-Age Children (5+ years):
- As children grow, they can handle more complex art projects and techniques.
- Encourage them to express their ideas through art, such as drawing pictures from their favorite stories or painting scenes from nature.
- You can also introduce them to more advanced techniques like shading, blending colors, and perspective drawing.

Remember that the key at any age is to focus on the process rather than the final product. Art should be a fun and exploratory activity for children, and it's an excellent way for them to develop fine motor skills, creativity, and self-expression. Be patient, provide a variety of art supplies, and let your child's interests and abilities guide the art activities you engage in together.

How Should I Store my Preschooler’s Art Supplies?

Storing your child's art projects is important for preserving their creative work and memories. Here are some tips on how and where to store your child's art projects:

Create an Art Gallery at Home:
- Designate a specific area in your home as an "art gallery" where you can display your child's recent and favorite art pieces. This can be a wall with corkboards, a gallery wire system, or even a dedicated bulletin board.
Use Art Portfolios or Folders:
- Invest in art portfolios or folders designed for artwork storage. These typically have large pockets or sleeves for storing individual pieces of art.
- Label each portfolio or folder with your child's name and the date of the artwork to keep things organized.
Create Digital Records:
- Consider scanning or photographing your child's art projects to create a digital record. This way, you can keep a virtual archive without needing physical storage for every piece.
Rotate Artwork Displays:
- Artwork tends to accumulate quickly, so periodically rotate the pieces displayed in the art gallery. This keeps things fresh and prevents clutter.
Art Binder or Scrapbook:
- Create an art binder or scrapbook where you can store smaller pieces of art or craft projects. Use acid-free sleeves or page protectors to prevent deterioration.
File Boxes or Storage Bins:
- Store larger art projects, 3D sculptures, or art supplies in labeled file boxes or plastic storage bins. These can be kept in a closet or under a bed.
Label and Date Everything:
- Be sure to label each piece of artwork with your child's name and the date it was created. This helps you keep track of the timeline of their creative journey.
Consider Sentimental Value:
- Not every piece of art needs to be saved. Focus on keeping the most meaningful or representative pieces that capture your child's growth and development as an artist.
Involve Your Child:
- Involve your child in the decision-making process. Ask them which pieces they'd like to keep and which ones they're comfortable letting go of. This can be a valuable lesson in organization and decision-making.
Preserve Special Pieces:
- For particularly precious or delicate artworks, consider investing in acid-free archival storage materials to ensure long-term preservation.
Create Art Books:
- Turn your child's art into a custom art book or calendar. There are many online services that can help you create personalized photo books featuring your child's artwork.
Celebrate Milestones:
- Consider storing select pieces from each year or school grade in a separate container or folder to celebrate important milestones and see the progression of your child's skills.

Remember that the goal is to create a manageable system that allows you to cherish your child's artwork without becoming overwhelmed by clutter. Regularly assess and edit the collection, and involve your child in the process to make it a collaborative and meaningful experience.

Must Have Art Supplies for Preschoolers at Home

List of the Best Art Supplies

Having the right art supplies at home for preschoolers can enhance their creativity and fine motor skills while providing them with a fun and educational activity. Here's a list of some of the best art supplies to have at home for projects with preschoolers and why they are essential:

Crayons: Crayons are a staple for young children. They are easy to grip, come in various colors, and are suitable for coloring and drawing. I recommend real beeswax crayon, triangular shape crayons for little kids, gel crayons, and regular crayons to choose from!
Washable Markers: Washable markers are great because they're easy to clean up if kids get a bit messy. They can be used for drawing, coloring, and making more precise lines.
Colored Pencils: Colored pencils are excellent for encouraging fine motor skills and can be used for more detailed coloring and drawing projects. Color pencils are a great way to have different art modalites to choose from.
Watercolor Paints: Watercolors are a fantastic way to introduce kids to painting. They are less messy than acrylics or oil paints and can be easily cleaned up with water.
Paint brushes: Soft, rounded paintbrushes are ideal for little hands. They allow for better control and precision when painting.
Construction Paper: This is essential for various crafts, including cutting and gluing projects. It comes in many colors and can be used as a base for different art activities.
Safety Scissors: Child-safe scissors are a must for preschoolers to practice cutting skills. Make sure they have rounded tips to prevent accidents.
Glue Sticks: Glue sticks are less messy than liquid glue and are easier for preschoolers to manage. They're essential for collage and paper projects.
Modeling Clay or Playdough: These can help kids develop their fine motor skills and creativity. They can mold and shape objects, fostering imaginative play.
Stickers and Stamps: Stickers and stamps can add a fun and decorative element to art projects, and they require minimal supervision.
Paper Plates and Bowls: These can be used as paint palettes or as bases for crafting. They're versatile and disposable, making cleanup easier.
Old Newspapers or Plastic Tablecloths: Use these to protect surfaces from spills and messes during art activities. They make cleanup much simpler.
Aprons or Old T-shirts: Protect your child's clothing with an art apron or an old oversized T-shirt. Art can be messy, and this will save their clothes.
Drawing Paper or Sketch pad: Provide blank paper for freeform drawing and creativity. Sketchbooks can encourage kids to keep a record of their artwork over time.
Finger Paints - Finger painting provides a rich sensory experience as children explore the textures, temperatures, and colors of the paint. This sensory input is vital for their cognitive and sensory development.
Tissue Paper - Tissue paper is perfect for collage work. Kids can cut or tear it into different shapes. Tissue paper is lightweight and translucent, which allows for layering in art projects. Overlapping tissue paper can create interesting visual effects and textures.
Dot Markers- Using dot markers requires children to coordinate their hand and finger movements, which helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Dot markers are mess-free. Unlike traditional paintbrushes and paint, there is no need for water or additional supplies. This makes them convenient for parents and caregivers.
Watercolor paper - great for using watercolors with small kids
Oil Pastels - Oil pastels are blendable, which allows kids to experiment with mixing colors directly on the paper. This fosters an understanding of color theory and encourages creativity.
Cardboard boxes - cardboard boxes are perfect for art projects and great for storing crafts supplies too and putting away if you do not have a dedicated space.
Glue gun - While this may need to have supervision for younger children, a glue gun is awesome to have on hand for craft projects of different age groups especially if its one that needs to stay together long term.

Great items to save from the recycle bin for art projects:

Egg Cartons
Toilet paper rolls / paper towel rolls
Buttons
String / Yard / Thread
Pom Poms
Pipe Cleaners
Popsicle Sticks
Feathers
Googly Eyes
Roll of white paper
Stamps / Stamp pad
Stencils
Masking tape

Remember that safety is a top priority, so always supervise preschoolers during art activities, especially when using small objects like markers or scissors. Encourage them to express themselves and have fun with their creations. Art can be a wonderful way for children to explore their imagination and develop essential skills.

Where Is the Best Place to Buy Art Supplies for Cheap?

It depends on what is local to you, I love grabbing craft materials at the Dollar store, my local craft stores when I see a great deal and Amazon is awesome for buying basic supplies that I know we use a lot of.

Where Can I Find Free Art Supplies?

In your recycle bin! Remember, preschoolers do not need supplies to be complicated for it to work. Let them grab items from your yard or your recycle pile to create with. Trade art supplies with friends. Search or wish for items in your local Buy Nothing Group. If you see a great deal after back to school happens, stock up on things like washable tempura paint and various types of paint that you will always need more of!

Should I Have Rules for Art Time with My Preschooler?

Mess is OK. Actually, messy is encouraged.
Some parents have a designated area so specific piece of furniture does not get ruined. Encourage art time outdoors to draw upon use of nature and inspiration from Mother Nature.
Have fun.
Don’t make any assumptions about what your child drew / created. “Oh I love your dog!” will predispose your child to go with that to please you vs admitting that “Its not a dog its a alien life form pizza man.” If you want to know more about their art use a open ended prompt like “Tell me more about what you made / drew” and you will get way more information!

You and your little artist can use your favorite art supplies to make these Fun Easy Watermelon Crafts and DIY Activities for Kids and Easy Mickey Mouse Craft DIY Ideas for Kids.

If it is fall and Thanksgiving time, check out these free kids Easy Turkey Craft, DIY Acorn Crafts and Tractor popsicle stick craft and fun Halloween ideas. This DIY Thanksgiving Clay Pot Turkey craft and coffee filter turkey craft!

What art supplies do you use most frequently and have on hand? Do you have a favorite method of art and creativity? Would love to hear! If you love art and creation, check out my post about Crayola Experience and their 5 locations in the United States here. It will be a huge hit with your art lover.