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The Best Art Supplies for Toddlers

Apr 29, 2022 Admin

The best art supplies for toddlers with our tried and true recommendations. Visit The Artful Parent Amazon shop for even more toddler art materials for ages 18 months–3 years old! Original post by Jean Van’t Hul with updates by Rachel Withers .

Updated April 2022

Are you looking for the best art supplies for toddlers? As a parent it can feel overwhelming knowing where to begin and what art supplies you really need for this stage.

These are The Artful Parent’s top recommendations for toddler art supplies, the ones that we’ve used with our own kids and at art classes over and over again. It goes without saying, that the art materials must be durable and vibrant (the latter provides a satisfying art experience for young children).

Art Supplies for Toddlers

1. Kwik Stix tempera paint sticks

Kwik Stix are awesome for toddlers and come with our most enthusiastic recommendation. Tempera paint sticks are encased in a plastic case. They glide on smoothly with little pressure and the color is SO vibrant. These work great on paper and cardboard and are a wonderful easy painting option.

2. Playdough

We love homemade playdough! This no cook playdough recipe is fast and easy to make AND totally customizable for color and smell. Or try our cooked playdough recipe which lasts practically forever.

And if you’re looking for playdough to buy, we recommend Colorations playdough. We also highly recommend this playdough tool set!

3. Colorations Simply Washable Tempera Paints

If you’re only going to buy one kind of paint, this is what to get. Use it for everyday paint on paper, cardboard and poster board.

4. Colorations Liquid Watercolors

Because they are just gorgeous and vibrant. Liquid watercolors are easier for toddlers to use than the traditional pan watercolors. These are long lasting and useful for a variety of art and science activities.

5. Squeeze glue

Yes, toddlers will squeeze and squeeze until there is a puddle of glue on their cardboard or paper. BUT they will have so much fun doing it, and the glue is so cheap, that it’s 100% worth it.

And remember, this is also a good hand-strengthening exercise that helps build fine motor skills. If the normal size squeeze bottle is difficult for your child to squeeze, try a mini bottle.

6. Faber Castell Gel Crayons

These are somewhere between a regular crayon and an oil pastel in hardness and come in a hard plastic case making them easy to grip. Just twist up the pastel as you need more. The neon version is especially bright and colorful!

7. DJECO Finger Paint

Kids can use tempera paint with their fingers, but finger paint has the perfect smooth texture for smearing around on paper and it stays moist for much longer. For more options, check out our post on the BEST fingerpaints for young kids.

8. Kitpas Art Crayons

More like oil pastels than crayons, these versatile art sticks are easier for toddlers to create vibrant marks and make a nice crayon substitute. They can even be used on windows!

9. Chalk

We love Crayola sidewalk chalk––the colors are so vibrant and really show up on the pavement!

If you don’t have a chalkboard, you can use chalkboard paint on a wall or simply buy a chalkboard wall decal.

10. Kinetic Sand

One of the art materials most frequently requested by our kids, it’s great to touch and play with on its own. Or add in some little plastic toys or resin shapes. My toddler is mesmerized by kinetic sand and loves sifting it and watching it slowly move.

11. Washable markers

Washable markers like the little Crayola Pip-Squeaks, although my kids both loved the regular-sized markers as well when they were toddlers. We keep our markers in a marker holder as a toddler-friendly way to keep track of lids and markers.

A note about crayons…

Crayons aren’t at the top of our list for toddlers due to the hand strength and pressure needed to achieve vibrant marks.

But there are a few brands that we highly recommend for kids. We love the Brilliant Bee crayons. And Faber-Castell Beeswax crayons in a carry case are excellent.

Toddler Art Tools for Success

1. Paint brushes

Try toddler paintbrushes such as these jumbo paint brushes by Melissa and Doug, are great for little hands. We also really like these Stubby Chubby brushes.

2. Spill-proof paint cups

Keep the paint off the table, floor and even your lap! Put the lid on after a painting session and the paint won’t dry out, allowing for future use.

3. Plastic trays

These are very helpful to contain the mess and make for a much easier cleanup. Take art projects outside easily or create a clearly defined art space for kids. We highly recommend!

4. Art smock

Use an art smock or old T-shirt to protect clothing. Or you may wish to have a dedicated art outfit that if paint stains, it’s no big deal. When purchasing an art apron or smock there are a few things to consider:

Sizing––is it for toddlers, preschoolers or big kids?
Fabric––A waterproof fabric is helpful and easily wipes down or rinses off in the sink.
Style––Most art smocks come in three choices: long sleeve, apron or sleeveless. Try to choose a style that works for your child and won’t hinder his/her movements.

5. Adjustable art easel

Easels provide toddlers with a great way to work standing up (as they do best). It automatically creates a simple dedicated art space at the same time.

Jean’s family has used the Melissa and Doug Easel for years now and believe it’s the best value out there for a children’s easel. Be sure to get paper for it. We like the easel paper rolls from Discount School Supply the best, but IKEA’s easel paper and Melissa and Doug paper is also okay.

And if you’re looking for convenience, try this easel accessory kit that includes paper, spill-proof cups, and lots more.

Favorite Toddler Craft Supplies

Here are a few other toddler art supplies you might want to have on hand for a rainy day.

1. Paper

Paper rolls can be used with an easel or laid out on the floor for big drawing activities. We also recommend brown butcher’s paper or white paper) to work big.

If you don’t have an easel, then roll out a length of paper on the floor or cut a big piece to tape onto the back of a door. For more paper recommendations see Choosing Paper for Children’s Art.

2. Dot Stickers

These are fun for creating collage art and are particularly easy for toddlers to peel and stick onto paper.

3. Pom poms & pipe cleaners

Pom poms are great in sensory play bins or for collage projects (when your toddler is squeezing all that glue). Pipe cleaners make an easy sculpture material to manipulate.