Gifts for Kids Who Love Art
By Christina, founder of All Ways Wanted · Updated
A kid who loves art already has favorites - the marker that never dries out, the notebook that's almost full, the corner of the fridge covered in their own drawings. The right gift either gives them more of what they already reach for, or opens a door to something they haven't tried yet.
This list covers both: real supplies that hold up better than the dollar-store version, kits and classes for a kid who likes structure, and a couple of ways to actually display what they make instead of letting it stack up in a drawer.
None of this requires guessing at what counts as quality - a kid who draws every day will notice the difference between a cheap colored pencil and a good one within a week.
How we pick · We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never changes the price you pay or what we recommend. As an Amazon Associate, All Ways Wanted earns from qualifying purchases.
1. a young kid just starting with color mixing
Faber-Castell Young Artist Watercolor Pan Set
pans are easier for small hands than tubes and rinse clean, so it won't take over a shared table.
About $12-16See it at Walmart
2. a kid who draws constantly and fills notebooks fast
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Sketchbook, 9x12
heavier paper handles marker, pencil and light watercolor without buckling, so one book covers everything they already do.
About $10-14See it at meininger.com3. a kid who's past crayons and wants real blending
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, 24-Count
these are close to what working illustrators use, and the pigment layers in a way cheaper sets can't, which a kid who draws a lot will notice.
About $18-24See it at Amazon- Not sure any of these are quite right? Ask the child (or their parent) instead → A private link, a few quick questions, and gift ideas picked for them. Free.
4. a kid who wants everything in one box
Crayola Inspiration Art Case
it's a full starter set with markers, crayons, colored pencils and paper in a case that closes, so nothing spills across the house.
About $25-30See it at crayola.com5. a kid who likes following steps to make something finished
KiwiCo Doodle Crate (single crate)
each crate is one self-contained project with the materials already measured out, good for a kid who gets frustrated hunting for supplies.
About $23-28
6. a kid who likes working with their hands more than drawing
Faber-Castell Do Art Pottery Studio
it's air-dry clay with tools and paint included, a good match for someone who loves art but isn't necessarily a drawer.
7. a kid who'd like a real class, taught live
Outschool gift card
it lets them pick their own class, from cartooning to watercolor to comic drawing, at a time that works for their family.
About $25-100See it at outschool.com8. a kid whose art currently lives in a pile
U Brands Kids Picture Ledge Shelf
a shallow shelf lets them swap in new drawings without frames or tape, so the display changes as often as they make new work.
About $18-25
9. a kid who wants to stand up and work bigger
Melissa & Doug Wooden Standing Art Easel, Double-Sided
one side takes chalk and the other a dry-erase board or paper roll, so it grows with whatever they want to try next.
About $70-90See it at melissaanddoug.com10. a kid who's outgrowing the kitchen table as their studio
Delta Children Kids Art Desk with Storage
a desk with real storage gives their supplies a home, which matters if you're tired of finding markers under the couch.
$60.99See it at michaels.com
How to choose
Start with what they already do, not what you wish they did. A kid who draws constantly wants better versions of their tools - nicer paper, pencils that actually blend, a case that keeps everything organized. A kid who's more into making things with their hands might get more out of clay or a craft kit than another sketchbook.
Age matters less than independence. A 5 year old still needs supplies that wash off skin and furniture; an 11 year old is ready for pencils and markers that behave more like the ones adults use, and might feel a little talked down to by anything labeled for little artists.
If storage or mess is a real issue in the house, lean toward things with a lid, a case, or a defined footprint - an easel that folds flat, a kit that's fully contained - rather than open-ended supplies that spread across every surface.
A class is worth considering if the kid has said they want to get better at something specific, like drawing people or learning watercolor, rather than as a general enrichment gift they didn't ask for.
If you're not sure which direction fits this particular kid, that's really what All Ways Wanted is for - you can ask them directly instead of guessing.
Still not sure? Let them tell you.
Send the child (or their parent) a private link to a few quick questions about their taste and life. We’ll turn their answers into gift ideas picked just for them — and they never see what you choose.
Questions people ask
- What art supplies does a 7 year old actually need?
- Not much beyond good paper and a set of colored pencils or markers that don't dry out fast. Extras like paint or clay are nice but not necessary if they're already drawing happily with what they have.
- Is an art class a good gift for a kid?
- Mostly if they've said they want to learn something specific - a general class can feel like homework to a kid who just wants to draw for fun on their own terms.
- How much should I spend on art supplies for a kid's gift?
- Anywhere from around $15 for a solid set of pencils to over $100 for furniture like an easel or desk. The supplies themselves rarely need to be expensive to be good.
- What if the kid already has a lot of art supplies?
- Look at display or storage instead, or a class. A kid with plenty of markers usually doesn't need more markers, they need somewhere to put what they make or something new to try.
- Are craft kits as good as open-ended supplies like a sketchbook?
- They're different, not better or worse. Kits suit a kid who likes following steps to a finished result, while a sketchbook and pencils suit a kid who prefers inventing their own projects.
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