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… |
$3.99 |
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.
2. Dry erase markers and a whiteboard
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel… | $14.19 | Buy on Amazon |
|
Crayola Art-to-Go Table Easel |
$19.99 |
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… |
$15.98 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
Elmer’s Washable No Run School Glue, 4… |
$2.99 |
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!
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… |
$13.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
Crayola Construction Paper 96 Sheets |
$6.25 |
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.
5. Washable paint
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Colorations Washable Tempera Paint, Set… |
$19.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
7 pack Plastic Squeeze Bottles for… |
$14.99 |
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.
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… |
$6.99 |
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… |
$14.98 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
UCreate Watercolor Paper, White,… |
$15.36 |
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… |
$22.99 |
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),… |
$6.89 |
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… |
$6.87 |
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
Our favorite art supplies for toddlers
Pin The Best Art Supplies for Preschoolers
Eric Carle: Preschool activity ideas you can do at home
5 days of Eric Carle preschool activity ideas that you can do with your kids at home: My son is 4 years old, and the days can be long. BUT it always makes a huge difference when we have a small activity or two already planned to look forward to each day. Which is why…
Continue Reading Eric Carle: Preschool activity ideas you can do at home
Gift ideas for kids that they will actually use all year long
I have four kids, and I’ve noticed a difference between toys and gifts that kids play with over and over all year round, and the ones that lie forgotten in a closet once the holidays are over. The best type of gifts encourage creativity and imagination. These gifts can be used over and over in…
Continue Reading Gift ideas for kids that they will actually use all year long
Mud kitchen tutorial
How to make an outdoor mud kitchen for kids with running water, out of a potting bench Did you ever make nature stew when you were a kid? We used to have a blast “cooking” with dirt, grass, leaves, flower petals, and water from the garden hose. As a mom, I decided to make a…
Cardboard box car track
A few days ago, my 3 year old and I created a cardboard box car track. It was a huge hit, and was played with for many happy afternoons. When I posted about it on Instagram, a bunch of people wanted all the details about how we made it and how they could make their…
Summer activities for kids: Printable calendar
Summer activities for kids: Want some fun, easy activities to do with your kids this summer? I created a printable calendar with links to an entire month of themed activities, including snacks, science experiments, art projects, and trip ideas. And if you want to follow along while my kids and I try out these activities,…
Continue Reading Summer activities for kids: Printable calendar
Questions to ask when looking for a daycare
Below are five steps to follow in order to choose the perfect daycare option for your child. Then you’ll find a list of questions worth considering before making your final decision. Steps to take when looking for a childcare option for your baby Step 1: Ask yourself some basic questions. When will you need childcare?…
Continue Reading Questions to ask when looking for a daycare
Leave a Reply