Whether your children show an artistic bent or not, having a variety of art supplies in the house is a great way to encourage and nurture an interest in art. Providing basic supplies is also a way to allow your children to use their imaginations. Here are some of the basic kinds of supplies that make great art gifts for creative kids.
1. Art Master Activity Desk
If your child is artistic or you want to encourage some artistic play, this art desk is something your child is sure to enjoy. This durable plastic desk has places to store art supplies too. It has an attached shelf above the desk and two compartment (on the side and in the back) to hold art books, paper, and sketch pads. The desk top is a dry-erase surface that kids can write or draw on and wipes clean easily. It also lifts up, revealing more storage space. It comes with a stool and an attached lamp. For ages 3 and up.
2. Guidecraft Art Activity Desk
This wooden art desk is both beautiful and versatile. The front easel is a chalkboard on one side and a white board on the other. If your child doesn't want to use it as an easel, it can be laid flat so that it creates a desktop surface, so kids can even use it to do their homework! The desk has plenty of storage space, too. There are adjustable shelves attached to the side and a storage compartment in the wooden stool as well. Above the desk is a paper roll. Children can pull the paper and cut just the right length they want, using the included safe paper cutter. (Replacement paper rolls are available.)3. Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel
If you have kids who can't sit still, but still like to draw, try this great two-sided wooden easel from Melissa and Doug. On one side is a chalkboard; on the other is a dry-erase white board. On each side of the easel is a tray for storing art supplies. One has cup holders to hold jars of paint. It includes a paper roll holder and paper cutter, as well as four plastic clips to hold your child's artwork. This easel easily folds up flat for convenient storage. Your child won't quickly outgrow this easel either. It has three adjustable heights so it can grow as your child grows.4. Children's Art Aprons
Do you worry about your child's clothing getting all full of paint as she paints her creative masterpieces? Why not cut down on the potential mess by getting your child some aprons? These are available in both polyester and canvas.5. Watercolor Paints, Crayons and Pencils
Crayons are a childhood staple. Children use them to color in pictures in coloring books or create their own pictures. As children get older, they may also use colored pencils. Both of those are art supplies that every child should have access to. However, watercolor crayons and pencils are something different. These are crayons and pencils that allow artists to create watercolor drawings. Of course, you don't want to leave out watercolor paints and brushes!6. Balsa Mini Wood Carving Blocks
Balsa wood is a soft wood that is used in many kinds of models. You may be familiar with the simple wooden flying airplanes made of balsa wood. Because the wood is soft, it's easily cut with a hobby knife. These blocks are great for budding sculptors who want to work with wood. Creations can be stained or painting, adding to the creative and imaginative process. The bag contains blocks in a variety of sizes and shapes. Because a hobby knife is required, this is not the kind of art for kids under twelve.7. Origami
Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. There is almost no end to what children can create with origami, from a simple drinking cup to a jumping frog to a tyrannosaurus rex! The art of origami can help kids learn patience and perseverance, while allowing them to be creative. A friend of mine found that it helped her son wile away the time when they had to wait for food in a restaurant or in other situations where children are expected to wait for any length of time. All that the kids need is some paper. Origami paper is best, since it's the right weight and size. You can always carry some paper with you for your child. It's neither heavy nor large!8. Fimo Soft Clay
Another great art supply to have around is clay. You are probably familiar with the typical children's clay or Playdough. The first isn't terribly pliable and the second shrinks when it dries. Artists' soft clay, however, is very pliable and doesn't shrink when it dries. In fact, creations can be baked and made more sturdy and waterproof. The projects your children can create are limited only by your child's imagination.9. Craft Feathers
Feathers? Yes, feathers. Craft feathers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are brightly colored, while others come in natural colors. Some are quill-shaped feathers, while others are fluffy. What can kids do with feathers? They can add them to other projects, such as their paintings and drawings, or they can use them to create a feathers-only project, such as a bird "sculpture" made entirely of feathers. Kids can use their imaginations and creativity to make their own unique works of art.10. Sketch Pads
No artist should be without a sketch pad. And that includes the littlest artists. Kids can use the sketch pads for pencil drawings, with both lead and colored pencils, as well as watercolor paintings. What's great about a sketchpad is that they are very portable. Kids can take them anywhere and need only a pencil to create a work of art.