Arts and crafts are an important part of a child’s development. In fact, they offer many benefits that can help children grow into well-rounded adults. But what exactly are the benefits of arts and crafts for children?
Creativity for Kids : Craft Kits
Welcome to our craft kits collection! We’re excited to provide you with all things crafty, from A to Z! Whether you’re a professional crafter or indulging in it as a hobby, we have the perfect collection of activity kits for you. Let’s delve in and explore our vast selection of craft supplies, art kits, kids craft kits and painting kits.
Craft Supplies Galore
With a lucrative range of craft supplies, including everything from paint and brushes to glitter and glue, you’ll be spoiled for choice! If you’re a jewelry fanatic and love creating unique designs, Our selection of beads and charms is perfect for creating unique bracelets. If you’re a fan of knitting and sewing, our collection of fabrics and yarns is perfect. Explore endless possibilities and unleash your creativity. Find the perfect activity for your toddlers and let them let loose their creativity with activity kits and kids craft kits.
Activity Kits for Everyone
Our activity kits are perfect for both kids and adults. Whether you’re looking to try a new hobby or looking for a fun family activity, we have you covered. Our kits come with all the supplies you need, so you don’t have to worry about gathering materials. From art supplies, painting kits and watercolor to jewelry-making and needlepoint, we have kits for every interest.
Art Crafts for All Levels
Our art crafts selection includes options for every skill level. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting, we have something for everyone. We have everything that will help you hone your crafty skills or learn a new technique. If you’re looking to learn a new technique or trying to amp up your creative game, our carefully curated art crafts selection has everything you’re looking for. We also have art kits for preschoolers and toddlers.
DIY Bracelets and More
For jewelry lovers, we have a wide range of aesthetic and quirky selections of bracelets, charms and beads. Our DIY bracelet kits come with everything you need to make your unique pieces of jewelry. The kits include charms and beads which you can use to make cute bracelets for your bestie! With a range of colors and styles, you’re sure to find the perfect kit that makes you stand out!
Q: Are your craft supplies high-quality?
A: Yes! We only source top-quality craft supplies from trusted vendors. We ensure you have the best experience possible with our products.
Q: Do your activity kits come with instructions?
A: Yes! All of our activity kits come with detailed instructions, that will guide you on your project right away.
In conclusion, we’re ecstatic to be your go-to retailer for craft kits. With our wide-ranging collection of craft supplies, activity kits, art crafts, painting kits and DIY bracelet kits, you’re sure to find something you love!
Gift-shopping for an artist or creative person?
If you don’t know anything about art supplies, how do you know you’re purchasing something they can use?
Art supplies are expensive and you don’t want to waste money on junk or to have your gift gathering dust in a closet somewhere.
So you search the internet for ideas. But wow! There are a lot of artist gift suggestion articles now, lists of art supplies only a kid would love.
Where are the real presents for real artists?
We’re here to help!
It’s a challenge to buy art supply gifts for creative friends when you don’t know much about art. It’s even harder when the recipient is a beginner because they don’t always know what they need. Illustrator and art instructor Amy Shulke provides practical ideas for smart starter accessories and tools guaranteed not to gather dust or waste your money.
Hi, my name is Amy; I’m a professional freelance illustrator and art instructor.
I’ve been artistic since childhood and my family loves to give me art supplies for birthdays and Christmas.
Which means I’ve had 40+ years of smiling and thanking people for questionable products and tools— things I can’t return but will honestly never use.
Can I share a secret? Here’s what the artist in your life is afraid to ask:
Would you mind if I exchanged this for something I can actually use?
Over the years, I’ve been given a lot of cute art supplies and fancy gift-box assortments.
Unfortunately, artists don’t use the cute stuff.
Professionals and serious hobby artists use higher grade materials which don’t come in holiday sampler packs.
So let’s buy a gift your artist can actually use.
I’ve created this Creative’s Gift Guide series to provide honest advice to non-artists.
Today, we’re looking at the best tools and supplies I’ve purchased this year.
These products are not new on the market in 2022, I’m simply showing you the best of what I’ve used the most frequently this year.
I’m not sponsored by any art supply companies. I’ve bought all of these items with my own money.
If you want more information on any of the products, I’ve provided a link, usually to the same place I purchased mine. I do participate in a few affiliate programs but my link does not affect your purchase price.
Remember, this article is a starting point.
I strongly encourage you to shop around for the best price or find something similar but more suitable. And please, be sure to visit local independently owned art stores in your area! They’re full of great ideas.
Now let’s find your special artist a great gift!
I’m a mixed media illustrator which means I draw with pencil and then colorize my art with a combination of alcohol markers, colored pencils, watercolor, or gouache.
If you’re searching for a gift for a sculptor, potter, or oil painter, I’m afraid these products won’t be of much use to your special artist.
16. The Freedom of Choice
Let’s be honest— I’m an artist, not a psychic.
I don’t know your artist. I don’t know which mediums they prefer or which brands. I also don’t know what art supplies they’re running low on right now.
The Amazon Gift card allows your special person to purchase exactly what they want or need.
And I’m not suggesting Amazon because of the affiliate link.
The Amazon card doesn’t have to be used at Amazon! Yes, Amazon carries a lot of art supplies and excellent art books but my favorite art store is actually Dick Blick. Blick is strictly art supplies, everything from paint to storage to studio furniture.
And here’s the great part— you can shop at DickBlick.com pay with the Amazon gift card!
15. Amazing Drawing Pencils
Most artists spend some amount of time drawing, even they’re a painter or sculptor. So this gift if pretty safe no matter their preferred medium.
Pencils are made of graphite (not actual lead) but the problem is that graphite is shiny. There’s nothing more frustrating than to carefully work on an area making it a deep dark black, only to realize later that your black area shines like a bright white mirror from certain angles.
Faber Castell’s Matt pencils range from hard to soft which is great for gifting because you don’t know your special artist’s preferred pencil number.
They feel like a cross between a regular pencil and a colored pencil which has me thinking about mixing Matts into some of my colored pencil projects.
These pencils aren’t 100% totally matte, there’s still some shine to them, but it’s a vast improvement over standard graphite and they’re my go-to sketching pencils now.
BTW, I really love the 14B!
14. Quality Illustration Board
Artists, artistic crafters, and coloring fans are very finicky about paper.
The average person doesn’t realize that paper is more important than the paint, pencil, or markers we use. It’s very hard to get good results on bad paper, even if that bad paper is expensive and loved by millions of other artists.
We want to work on our favorite paper.
Since you don’t know which paper your artsy person prefers, how about giving them something to experiment on? These artboards are a heavy duty board bonded to a very nice top layer of excellent paper for ink or colored pencil.
Even if your artist doesn’t draw on these boards, they can glue their own finished projects to this type of board during the framing process.
I guarantee this package of artboards will not go to waste!
13. Amaze Them With Color
I have to say, this gift will look impressive under the tree.
Sarah Renae Clark is the queen of coloring pages and she’s developed a great set of tools for hobby colorers and artists alike.
One of the things all artists struggle with is color inspiration. Hobbyists are always looking for new color combinations and artists often need to recharge their creative batteries by looking at color stimulating references.
The Color Cubes, volumes 1 and 2 are beautiful boxes— you may not want to wrap them. Each cube contains 250 color cards plus details on the backside.
UPDATE: 11/2022 The initial run of Color Cubes from summer ‘22 are shipping now. I’d order asap to insure delivery by Christmas.
12. Big Block Eraser
If you’ve read my annual gift articles or visited my recommended products page, you’ll know I’m a big fan of Sakura’s SumoGrip erasers.
They’re described as graphite erasers but the black version works quite well with colored pencils. This is why a Sumo is listed on all my class supply lists.
My favorite has been the retractible click style ( (with refills here). Most polymer erasers break in half easily due to the force of erasing. The click style protects the eraser allowing you to use the entire eraser down to the stub.
The problem with the click version is that it’s small and it takes forever to clean the white background and margins of a finished piece with a clicker. I found this gigantic B300 version which measures 3“ x 1.5”. It’s now my go-to for cleaning margins prior to framing. I expect it will break eventually but the size and speed of this eraser should make the eventual waste worth it.
11. A Change of Pace for Colored Pencils or Markers
If your special artist uses colored pencils or alcohol markers, they work on paper.
Always paper. Paper. Paper. Paper.
You can see how that could get boring after a while, right?
Give your pencil or marker artist a sample pack of Ampersand Bords. These are high quality sheets of particle board coated with surfaces which mimic paper. I’d suggest a sampler pack if your artist has never tried them before.
Claybord feels like working on hot press paper. It’s great for colored pencil but you can use alcohol markers (like Copic) on it too.
Pastelbord feels like working on a grittier, cold press paper. I recommend using soft colored pencils on it rather than the firmer pencil brands. Pastelbord also comes in colors which can help your artist mix it up even further!
10. Slice Tool
Students and regular readers know I’m a big fan of Slice tools. I’m dangerous with craft knives and box cutters so these ceramic blades are safer for me and my wild ways.
But I also love them for art. I use this version of the slice with colored pencils, scraping away blobs of pigment, lifting mistakes, or scoring the area to make whiskers or highlights on fur and hair.
Santa put a slice box cutter in my stocking last year and honestly, I think I’ve used this one tool more than anything else in my studio this year. It’s super handy!
This is likely not a gift all by itself but if you’re looking to add a little something to a package, I highly recommend this.
9. Golden Taklon Fiber Brushes
I’ve been playing with casien and gouache paints recently and because 90% of my brushes are extra soft for watercolor, I had to buy special brushes.
Trekell was recommended by a friend who specializes in gouache and she was so right! I love this brush set and I’ll be adding the bigger brushes to my collection soon. I find myself using the #2 cat’s tongue and the #6 bright most. I’ve been eyeing the wash and dagger brushes next.
For watercolor, I still think these brushes are the best value for students and hobbyists but they’re a little soft for gouache.
8. Gouache Paint
Okay, if you wantthe trendy, hot product which is taking the artsy-craft world by storm this year, it’s gouache.
What is gouache? First, it’s pronounced like “wash”, say “guh-wash” but all one syllable. Gouache is basically opaque watercolor, the grown up version of poster paint.
I use gouache in art school but dropped it after college because it’s mainly used in advertising. This year, I picked it back up only to find the rest of the world rediscovering it too.
Please don’t waste money on novelties like “gelly gouache”. Artist grade gouache is relatively cheap so there’s no need to buy kiddie paint. Excellent brands include Winsor & Newton, M. Graham, and Holbein. The set shown here is what I purchased.
This gift list is sponsored in part by:
Violeta-Ink is an authorized retailer of Copic Markers with excellent customer service and super fast shipping.
If your artist uses alcohol markers for illustration, coloring, or just sketching for fun, they’ll love a Violeta Ink gift certificate!
7. Watercolor Diary… and more!
If your special artist works with watercolor, I can guarantee they spend a lot of time drawing little swatch boxes. Watercolor looks totally different on paper than it does in the tube or pans we paint from, so every color must be swatched and tested. I’ve literally wasted hours of my life designing, hand drawing, and even digitally drawing swatch cards.
Now we have a pre-printed Painter’s Color Diary to keep track of all our swatches. I don’t think it’s the greatest watercolor paper ever but for swatching, I think this is great.
WARNING: THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS OF THIS DIARY! The Gray one is for oil and acrylic painters, the blue is for watercolor— they are NOT interchangable. Match the diary to the kind of paint your artist uses… or buy both?
If your special artist uses colored pencil: They can use the watercolor pad! Yes, colored pencil artists swatch too. Again, it’s not the greatest paper for colored pencil but for swatching? Oh ya!
10 Key Benefits of Arts and Crafts For Children
Helps children develop fine motor skills
Art and craft projects help children develop their fine motor skills by requiring them to use small muscles in their hands and fingers. This is important for early childhood motor skill development, alongside hand-eye coordination, as these skills are necessary for tasks such as writing, eating and taking care of themselves.
Can boost cognitive skills
Arts and crafts can also help improve cognitive development in children. In fact, according to the International Child Art Foundation, “Research indicates that a child who is exposed to the arts acquires a special ability to think creatively, be original, discover, innovate, and create intellectual property—key attributes for individual success and social prosperity in the twenty-first century,”.
Improves self-expression & self-esteem
Arts and crafts projects can also help children express themselves in new ways and build on their self-esteem and self-worth. As developing a core sense of self-esteem, and a healthy form of self-expression is vital from a young age, self-esteem art can be an extremely valuable activity for children of all ages.
Boosts children’s creativity & imagination
Creativity and imagination are two skills that arts and crafts help to develop in children. By giving them the opportunity to be creative and use their imaginations, arts and crafts can help foster a love of creativity that will last a lifetime, as well as help them come up with creative new ideas and solutions in all aspects of their life.
Teaches problem-solving skills
Arts and crafts projects also help children learn how to solve problems, as arts and crafts projects require children to think outside the box and come up with new ways of completing a task. This teaches them how to problem solve effectively, an important skill for success in both life and work.
Effective problem solving skills that could be learned through arts and crafts include brainstorming, considering all possible solutions, and taking action on a plan.
Improves children’s mental health
Arts and crafts are a great tool for improving mental health. This applies especially to children, as it provides an outlet for them to express their emotions, have fun and develop a sense of mindfulness. As they get older, they will be better equipped to deal with stressful situations and handle them effectively, thanks to the skills they learned through arts and crafts projects.
Encourages teamwork & socialisation
Art activities can also encourage teamwork and socialisation in children. Often, arts and crafts projects require children to work together and find common ground in order to complete the finished product. This can help children learn how to cooperate and get along with others, as well as make new friends.
These skills can be vital to success in life, as they will help children form lasting relationships and allow them to be successful in both their personal and professional collaborations.
Provides an educational experience
Making art can also provide an educational experience for children. This is because they have the possibility to learn about various subjects through art materials. They will be able to use the skills they learned from arts and crafts in other subjects as they grow and develop.
For example, they could learn all about the fire department by building their own fire station with a handy craft kit or learn about the solar system by painting their own galaxy.
Improves children’s communication skills
Arts and crafts can also improve children’s communication skills. This is because they provide an opportunity for children to share their thoughts with others through their craft ideas.
As they get older, this will help them communicate more effectively, both verbally and non-verbally. This is important as it will help them in all aspects of their life, from personal relationships to professional endeavours, and everything in between.
Crafts teach flexibility from a young age
One important life skill that can be learned from arts and crafts is flexibility. This is because, oftentimes, arts and crafts projects require children to be flexible and come up with new solutions when things don’t go as planned.
This will help them in all areas of their life as unexpected situations will no longer throw them off balance. Instead, they will be able to roll with the punches and adapt quickly to any situation that comes their way.
Provides Developmental Benefits
Arts and crafts can provide a number of developmental benefits for children. As children’s brains are constantly learning and growing, it is important to provide them with activities that will help stimulate this growth, making future learning more enjoyable and achievable.
Art supplies offer a wide variety of opportunities for children to learn and grow, including developing their language skills, improving bilateral coordination, helping them learn different shapes and colours, and teaching them how to be patient and persistent.
The Best Arts and Crafts Activities For Children
In conclusion, arts and crafts provide a wealth of benefits for children, both in the short and long term. From developing problem solving skills to improving mental health, teamwork and communication skills, arts and crafts offer children a chance to learn and grow in a fun and creative environment. But what are the best arts and crafts activities for kids?
The best arts and crafts activities for children will include projects that allow them to be creative, think outside the box, and solve problems. Some great examples of such activities include:
3D Construction Kits
3D construction kits like this Build a Train Station are a great way to help children learn about shapes, colours, and engineering. Plus, they provide a fun and stimulating activity that can keep children occupied for hours on end.
These kits are perfect for children who love to build and create, and they often come with a wide variety of pieces that can be assembled in a variety of ways. This allows children to be creative and experiment with their designs, helping them learn new skills in the process.
Exciting Craft Kits
Creative and educational craft kits like this Make a T-Rex Wood & Clay Craft Kit make wonderful arts and crafts activities for children. They provide a wide range of materials for children to be creative with, as well as educational information about the subject matter. Another great example is this 3D Craft Card Tiger Mask!
Craft kits are a great way to help children learn about different topics, while allowing them to be creative and have fun. Plus, craft kits often come with enough supplies for multiple projects, so children can enjoy them over an extended period of time.
Painting and Drawing
Painting and drawing are classic arts and crafts activities that can provide a wealth of development benefits for children. They allow children to be creative, explore their imagination, and improve their dexterity and coordination.
Plus, there is no need for any expensive supplies – a simple piece of paper and some crayons or paint will do the trick. This makes painting and drawing a great activity for children of all ages and budgets.
Looking For Creative, Educational Arts & Crafts Supplies For Children?
At Fiesta Crafts, we offer a wide range of creative, educational toys, games and arts and crafts supplies for children. From paint sets to playhouses, we have everything you need to keep your child entertained and learning for hours on end.
15 Top Ideas of What To Do With Children At Home
Keeping children engaged and happy at home can be both fun and educational. Whether it’s a rainy day, school holidays, or just quality family time, here we list 15 ideas of activities to enjoy with your children.
Why Are Toys Good For Learning?
Toys play a crucial role in a child’s development and can be highly effective tools for learning.
Playing Outside: The Great Outdoors: A Natural Playground for Social Skill Building
Ah, the great outdoors! A magical realm that transforms ordinary experiences into
extraordinary ones – a simple patch of green becomes an endless jungle.
5 Mindfulness Craft Activities For Kids
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgement. It can help us to feel more calm and peaceful and is something that we can all benefit from.
Why Routines Are Important For Toddlers’ Wellbeing
While we know that routines can play an important part in children’s lives, we may not be aware of just how crucial they are for a toddler’s wellbeing.
Your Guide To Using Puppets in Storytime
Puppets can be a handy tool for telling stories, whether you're working with a group of children or looking for new ways to engage your child during storytime. They can help to bring the story to life, and can be used to create different voices for characters.
7 Key Benefits of Puppet Theatres For Kids
Puppet theatres are a popular toy for children of all ages. They provide an enjoyable and interactive way for kids to use their imagination and creativity.
What Motivates Your Child To Learn?
What motivates your child to learn? Though this is a question many parents may ask themselves, it can be a difficult one to answer without the right guidance.
The Importance of Play in Emotional Development For Children
Most people think of play as something that children do just for fun. However, play is actually a very important part of a child’s emotional development. Through play, children learn how to express their emotions, cope with stress, and interact with other people in a healthy manner.
The 10 Best Pocket Money Toys For Kids
Pocket money toys are a popular choice for kids, and there are a lot of great options out there. But with so many to choose from, it can be tough to decide which ones are the best.
How To Wash Cuddly Toys For Kids
Washing cuddly toys is important for keeping them clean and fresh, especially with the mess that kids can make! However, it can sometimes be hard to know exactly how to wash them without damaging the toys.
Learning How To Write: Preschool Activities To Help Kids Learn
One of the most important skills that a child can learn is how to write. Writing is a fundamental life skill that helps children communicate their thoughts and ideas. It also helps them develop their fine motor skills and learn to express themselves creatively.
The Must-Know Benefits of Arts and Crafts For Children
Arts and crafts are an important part of a child’s development. In fact, they offer many benefits that can help children grow into well-rounded adults.
How To Foster Creativity in Children
Creativity is an important part of childhood development. It allows children to work through issues, uncover hidden talents, and express themselves in unique ways. Using creative outlets can also open the door for families to experience new activities together.
What is Play-Based Learning? 4 Inspiring Examples
Children learn in many different ways, and play-based learning can be one of the most valuable tools you can use to get children engaged and interested in their development. But what is play-based learning and how can you utilise it for your child?
What are the 6 Stages of Play?
The six stages of play are a way of understanding how children develop play skills. Each stage is marked by different kinds of play activities. As a parent, you can use these stages to help your child learn and grow.
Your Guide to the Best Educational Toys For Christmas 2021
The holidays are coming and parents need to know what the best educational toys for Christmas 2021 are.
The 6 Must Know Child Benefits of Learning Through Play
It is common knowledge that play is important to the process of child development. Play is to children what work is to adults. It’s how they learn about themselves, others and the world around them.
How Does Outdoor Play Help Social Development?
Learn exactly how outdoor play helps social development in children in this expert guide by Fiesta Crafts.
How to Teach Children the Calendar
Learn exactly how to teach the calendar to your children, plus more handy tips and tricks in this expert guide by Fiesta Crafts.
Become a Toy Distributor: Practical Tips to Building Your Distribution Business
Do you want to start a toy distribution business? If so, this blog post is for you! Toy manufacturers are in constant need of distributors who can help them stay afloat.
How to Teach Children to Tell the Time
Learning to tell the time is a vital milestone in childhood. In fact, even with current and developing technologies, it is still important for children to learn how to tell the time on an analogue clock for many reasons.
How Toys Help Children’s Cognitive Development
Toys are an integral part of childhood. Throughout their early years, children play with toys in order to learn about themselves and the world around them.
5 Of The Best Creative Toys for Children
When it comes to the toys we give our kids, we want to make sure at least some of them are useful. This means choosing toys that will spark creativity and educate your children while they play!
The 6 Big Benefits of Finger Puppets for Little Learners
Playing with puppets might look like a simple fun and entertaining activity on the surface, but underneath it’s so much more.
The 8 Best Creative Toys for Children
Over the years, numerous studies conducted by child psychologists have revealed that the developmental benefits of playing with creative educational toys like building blocks or puppets is far greater than those of passive electronic devices for children under 12 years old.
The Guide to Starting an Online Toy Store
Running an online toy business from home is a great business decision because a toy store always has a place in the market. There will consistently be a willingness for parents to spend their money on toys for their children, no matter what time of year: Nowadays toys aren’t just purchased during holidays or special occasions – some people even buy them as rewards when children do well academically!
The Best Non Electronic Toys That Are Fun & Educational
A common worry for parents and grandparents in this digital age is that of children and their screen time. Nowadays it’s becoming increasingly common to see both toddlers and young children sitting in front of games consoles, tablets and televisions.
The 6 Best Gross Motor Skill Toys for Toddlers
Have you got a toddler that just won’t sit still? Congratulations, you may have reached the toddler years where physical development is beginning to blossom!
6 Benefits of Educational Toys and Which to Buy
Something any parent desires is giving their child the best start in life for the best chance of success later on. Amazingly one overlooked aspect of this start is hidden in something children are naturally fascinated with: Toys.
Could the past year of shop closures actually be a blessing in disguise for the future of physical shops?
Over a number of years, there has been a gradual move towards online shopping and less in
physical stores.
Why do role play toys work?
The reasons how role play toys help children’s development
