The Organized Mom Life

Simple organization for busy moms

Our favorite art supplies for preschoolers

As a mom to 2 very creative and artistic preschoolers (ages 2 and 5) I’ve had a lot of experience trying out different art supplies.

Some we’ve loved, and some have been less than great.

Today I’m sharing ten of our absolute favorites. Take a look!

Our favorite art supplies for preschoolers

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Oil pastels

Preview Product Price
Pentel Arts Oil Pastels, 16 Color Set... Pentel Arts Oil Pastels, 16 Color Set… $3.59Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

We do have crayons, but my kids almost always choose to use oil pastels over the crayons.

Their color is much brighter and fills in better.

Plus, they’re fun to use along with watercolors to make resist artwork.

We store our pastels in an old baby wipes container.

2. Dry erase markers and a whiteboard

Preview Product Price
EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel... EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel… $17.27Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
Crayola Art-to-Go Table Easel Crayola Art-to-Go Table Easel $19.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

My kids all love colorful dry erase markers and a whiteboard. There’s just something fun about being able to erase your work so easily.

Our whiteboard is on the back of our chalkboard easel, and they almost always choose that side over the chalk side.

3. Craft supplies and white glue

Preview Product Price
FUNZBO Arts and Crafts Supplies for Kids... FUNZBO Arts and Crafts Supplies for Kids… $14.98Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
Elmer's Washable No Run School Glue, 4... Elmer’s Washable No Run School Glue, 4… $0.97Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

We have a big bin full of miscellaneous craft supplies: craft sticks, foam shapes, pom poms, pipe-cleaners, sequins, paper cups… all kinds of things. I find most of them at the dollar store.

Pair that craft bin with a bottle of white glue, and our kids can be so creative!

Our craft supply storage

They come up with all kinds of creations. They build accessories for the lego people or for the Barbies, and create whole ecosystems for their stuffed animals. It’s really incredible to watch.

4. Paper: Both plain white and colored construction paper

Preview Product Price
Melissa & Doug Sketch Pad (9 x 12... Melissa & Doug Sketch Pad (9 x 12… $10.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
Crayola Construction Paper 96 Sheets Crayola Construction Paper 96 Sheets $4.61Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

More often than not, our kids reach for plain white printer paper when they want to do an art project. (I try my best to hold onto recycling that is blank on one side so that they can use that first.)

But they also use colored construction paper pretty often.

And, for whatever reason, they love notebooks, pads, journals, sketchbooks… any paper that comes in a little book and makes them feel more like an adult.

How we keep our art supplies organized

5. Washable paint

Preview Product Price
Colorations Washable Tempera Paint, Set... Colorations Washable Tempera Paint, Set… $20.62Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
Homestead Choice Made in USA 7-pack... Homestead Choice Made in USA 7-pack… $16.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

We end up using paint in so many different art projects.

Since we use it so often, I bought large containers of each color. I store them in these plastic squeeze bottles. It makes it super easy to squeeze out whatever color or colors we’re using for a particular craft, and tends to keep things less messy.

Our paint storage

We also use ice cube trays from the dollar store as paint trays.

6. Googly eyes

Preview Product Price
Upins 1000 Pcs Black Wiggle Googly Eyes... Upins 1000 Pcs Black Wiggle Googly Eyes… $5.59Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

I had to include googly eyes on our list. I bought a huge pack on Amazon, and I can’t tell you how many crafts and projects we’ve used them for since. They really add a little something extra to any picture or craft we’re doing. Plus they’re just fun!

7. Watercolors and watercolor paper

Preview Product Price
MozArt Supplies Watercolor Paint... MozArt Supplies Watercolor Paint… $13.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
UCreate Watercolor Paper, White,... UCreate Watercolor Paper, White,… $13.98Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

There are a lot of fun projects you can do with watercolors. (We like to draw with pastels or crayons first, and then watercolor on top.)

If your child is a little older, and can be careful with their supplies, I recommend skipping the Crayola watercolors and investing in a slightly better set. We have this one and it’s amazing how much more vibrant the colors are than in your typical kid’s set.

Watercolor paper makes a big difference, too. It doesn’t get all wrinkly like plain paper does when it gets wet. 👍

Sometimes I print out a “coloring page” on watercolor paper, and let the kids paint it in instead of coloring it in with crayons or markers.

8. Paint sticks

Preview Product Price
Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 24... Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 24… $22.00Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Have you seen these?

I was skeptical at first, but they are so cool!

They look like glue sticks, but when you use them, it looks like you were using paint. They also dry super fast.

We like to use these to make giant pieces of artwork, or signs and banners. (Which we create and hang for every occasion!)

9. Twistable crayons

Preview Product Price
Crayola Twistables Crayons (24ct),... Crayola Twistables Crayons (24ct),… $6.89Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

These crayons are my favorite for the car because they aren’t as messy as regular crayons. (Have you ever had a crayon melt in your car on a hot day???)

And they don’t break or get really dull like regular crayons.

10. Masking tape

Preview Product Price
Amazon Basics Masking Tape, Pack of 3... Amazon Basics Masking Tape, Pack of 3… $6.79Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

My kids go through masking tape like crazy- it is definitely one of their favorite “art supplies.” It’s easier for them to use than scotch tape, and they use it to make creations out of craft supplies, hang up pictures and banners, and everything you can imagine in between. (Right now there is a masking tape zip-line hanging down from the bunk bed, being used by lego people.)

Masking tape is also fun for tape-resist artwork.

Did I miss any of your favorites?

Be sure to tell me about it in the comments. And above all- have fun with your little artists. 😉

Here’s something else I think you’ll love:

Looking to organize your preschool routine? You’ll love this free

Preschool Planning Pack!

You’ll get a monthly preschool planning sheet (including a sample filled in with 4 great themes, book and activity ideas!) 75+ weekly theme ideas, and a fun-filled activity list full of great ideas for preschoolers!

More posts about art supplies and organization:

11 brilliant ways to organize your kid’s art supplies

Kids’ art supply organization

Our favorite art supplies for toddlers

Pin The Best Art Supplies for Preschoolers

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