A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Best Art Supplies for Kids
The first synonym for art is creativity. We know well that art stimulates people’s imaginations, especially children’s. However, the benefits that art has for kids go beyond sparking creativity – children who make art develop better perceptual abilities and hand-eye coordination. Studies have shown that artistic children also have better problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
If you have very young children, you know by now they may sometimes struggle with their big emotions, which can make them frustrated. Art helps tiny humans express themselves, boosting their confidence and leading to better social skills.
One great way to expose your child to art and let them experience all the benefits from it is to let them create art themselves. To do that, they need to have access to high-quality art tools and supplies for kids. High quality doesn’t mean expensive in this case. Instead, it means your kid should have access to all the supplies that’ll last long enough to get them to create incredible art pieces.
Best Kids’ Art Supplies for Painting
Painting is a fantastic way to fire up your kid’s imagination and self-expression. Here are the supplies you need to assist your budding artist in discovering their inner painter.
Paints
When searching for the best childrens paint you should look for options that offer excellent quality, have reasonable prices, and are safe most importantly. The colour selection is up to your kid’s preferences. Four types of paints fulfil these requirements.
Which paint type is best for kids? Which type you’ll choose for your child depends on their age, artistic abilities, and the projects you choose. However, the best kids paint has a non-toxic washable formula that you can clean up simply with soap and water.
Tempera Paints
Young artists should use tempera paints because they’re strong and thick, typically washable and non-permanent. They work well on paper, canvas, and cardboard, are usually affordable and are kid-safe.
Finger Painting
Finger painting helps improve fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination. It’s a fantastic way to get kids interested in painting and to foster creativity. When choosing childrens paint for finger painting, opt for a thick, creamy texture, specially formulated not to drip. If your tot has a habit of putting hands in their mouth, look for paints that have a non-toxic, bitter taste to keep paint-covered fingers out of mouths.
Watercolours
Usually applied to paper, watercolour is a type of water-soluble paint that appears slightly transparent. Famous artists such as Albrecht Durer, Paul Cezanne, and Vincent Van Gogh all experimented with the medium. Kids can now do the same thanks to the kid-friendly options, which allow them to experience the medium’s calming and supple aesthetic qualities.
Poster Paint
Poster paint is a great all-purpose paint perfect for kids’ art and craft activities that are effective on poster board, cardboard and butcher’s paper. They come in a range featuring ultra-vibrant colours.
Look for kid paints that have a matte finish that paints on smoothly and dries quickly, and a buttery consistency that’s easy to blend so kids can experiment with colour mixing.
Paint Brushes
Pick brush sets that contain different brush shapes and sizes so your little painter can take their first steps in learning how to paint. Hog bristle brushes are the perfect introduction set, suitable for a range of mediums.
They can hold a lot of paint and are great for broad strokes through to thin lines. Brushes with chunky handles are perfect for little hands, as they allow great control so kids can make bold confident paint strokes.
Palette
Plastic palettes, which come in a range of sizes and shapes, are ideal for blending colours. They are ideal for when your young artist is still experimenting with art because they’re also affordable.
Canvas or Paper
Single, thick canvases are the ideal place to start, whether you’re new to painting, want to experiment a little or need an inexpensive painting option for the kids.
Triple-primed cotton options that come back stapled can help your kid start painting right away. A good choice for kids just beginning their artistic journey is a canvas frame that’s affordable and made from sustainably harvested pine.
To prevent paint from bleeding through, pick sturdy sheets attached to a pad when choosing paper. That way, you can remove the sheets from the pad and hang your child’s artwork on the walls and refrigerator.
Easel
You should include an easel when setting up your young artist’s workspace. Unsure of which easel to select? Beginner painters will appreciate using a tabletop easel that folds up for convenient storage once the painting session is over.
Handy Art Tools and Accessories
Brush Washer Buckets
Both amateur and experienced artists can benefit greatly from a compartment brush washer, which offers a quick and practical method for cleaning and drying your brushes. This handy accessory for watercolour and tempera painting usually has holes on the rim for holding brushes upright to dry and can help your child keep their workspace tidy. Some options come with a lid that can be utilised as a palette as well.
Art Smocks and Mats
A smock will help your child paint their canvas rather than their clothes, which is why it’s essential for young artists. When painting or drawing, a splash mat is a perfect way to protect the table or the floor. Cleaning up is simple because the mat wipes clean with a cloth. Opt for a mat with a bigger surface and incredible quality so it will last for years. Some options feature adorable illustrations to teach children how to draw.