For Little Drawers
If your child loves making marks, this is where to start. These tools glide, smudge and scribble. I’ve watched them unlock confidence in little artists at home and at school.
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I’ve never met a toddler who wasn’t instantly obsessed with these crayons. They play “blast-off” games with them, land them on the paper, and then start drawing their lines. They’re sturdy, fun, and perfect for imaginative art play.
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These are paint sticks, but you use them like crayons. They’re my absolute favorite art tool for kids. The colors are so vibrant, non-toxic, and you don’t need water at all. Just make sure you have big paper ready, kids go bold with these. This is the brand I always buy.
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These are so exciting to draw with. Each marker can change the color of another when you draw over it, which blows kids’ minds every time. I’ve used these at home with my own kids, and they love them.
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OOLY is my favorite brand for art supplies — you really can’t go wrong with anything they make. These metallic watercolor gel crayons are silky smooth to draw with and add the prettiest shimmer to any artwork.
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These markers are a childhood staple. Everyone should have a set in their art stash. The smells are wildly nostalgic, and kids love them just as much as we did.
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I got these for my daughter when she was ready for fine-tip markers, but I didn’t want to spend a lot when she was still learning to care for her materials. These work great to build confidence and have so many colors.
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There are a lot of brands that sell gel pens, but Sakura is the best. Any collection of theirs will light up your little artist. We like the glitter ones too.
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A fun new drawing experience that’s even better than regular crayons. Kids are amazed by how many colors they get, and they love how smooth these glide across the paper.
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Prismacolor makes the best colored pencils. I’d recommend a set of these for any child who loves to draw. They’re incredibly creamy and blend beautifully — a real upgrade for young artists.
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This is the paper I recommend for all of these drawing tools. It’s thick enough to handle lots of friction without tearing, and the spiral binding makes it easy to carry around. Plus it saves their artwork in one place like a journal. The 7×10” size is perfect for slipping into a backpack or keeping in the car.
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The next size up! So many kids are incredibly creative but only get to draw on tiny pieces of paper. Go big. Their eyes will light up when they’re given a large sheet and the freedom to fill it.
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Go even bigger! Little kids love the opportunity to stretch their whole bodies across the page for their art. You don’t need an easel, just lay it out on the floor. This is 17×20” by Melissa & Doug. We went through every page. It’s especially great to use with paint sticks.
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Owning an Etch A Sketch is practically a childhood rite of passage. It’s completely open-ended, battery-free, and great for building hand control and coordination while kids create.
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Yes, you read that right. They’re hilarious, they actually sharpen well, and kids love them.
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Your child may say they don’t like drawing with chalk, but have they ever drawn with ice cream chalk? Sometimes the material isn’t the problem — it just needs a surprise twist. In this case, chocolate and vanilla twist. Kids love these.
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I was so excited when I discovered these. We had a chalkboard in the house, but regular chalk left dust everywhere. These are completely dust-free, and they glide across the board like butter. (Not for sidewalks.)
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These are the best brush markers, but they’re not for kids who draw with heavy pressure. They’re an upgrade set for the child who’s already turning into an illustrator and can use them gently. If your child is ready for that level of care, they’re absolutely worth it.