The best art supplies for kids, by age

The right art supplies make drawing easier and more fun, and the wrong ones (dried-out markers, scratchy paper, pencils that won’t sharpen) can make a child give up. You don’t need much. Here is what we recommend by age, from first scribbles to comic-book inking, plus a few things that are worth skipping.

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Ages 2 to 3

Big, easy-to-hold tools and paper they can’t ruin. Expect scribbles: that is the point.

Ages 4 to 5

Tools that build pencil control for drawing and, soon, writing.

Ages 6 to 8

Kids now care how a drawing looks. Give them tools that make clean lines and bright color.

Ages 9 to 12

Older kids are ready for “real” artist supplies and longer projects.

For every age

• Plain copy paper is fine for everyday drawing. Keep a stack within reach.
• A pencil sharpener with a catch box, so shavings stay off the floor.
• A folder or box for finished drawings, so kids can see how far they have come.
• A printer, if you have one, for the free activity pages.

What to skip

• Huge 150-piece kits. They look great as gifts, but most pieces are low quality and kids use five of them.
• Permanent markers for young kids. Washable is the rule until about age 8.
• Very thin paper for markers. Markers bleed through; use thicker paper or put a sheet underneath.
• Expensive “artist grade” sets for beginners. Buy those once a child is drawing every day and asks for better tools.

Something to draw

Supplies are only half of it: kids also need ideas. Kevin Coulston’s How to Draw, Trace Then Color and Draw by Grid books give them 50 characters each, and there are hundreds of free lessons on the drawing ideas page. Setting up a whole camp? See the summer drawing camp supply box.