The Minimalist's Guide to Children's Art Supplies

Here are the ten art supplies I recommend minimalist caregivers have on hand!

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Wanting to make more arts and crafts with your kids, but don’t know which materials to start with? Perhaps you are decluttering the craft cabinet at home and are not sure which supplies to keep.

After 7+ years of teaching art in a public school and 4 years of doing art at home with my own kids, I have tried A LOT of art products.

Here are my top 10 art materials for the minimalist caregiver to have in their art cabinet:

1. Tempera Cakes

These paints are very similar to watercolors.

Just like watercolor paint, tempera cakes can be diluted to create lighter tints of a color. Just like watercolor paint, they can be mixed on paper to create a variety of hues. Just like watercolor paint, they are washable.

The difference? They have a greater opacity and vibrance than watercolors. As a result, you can use them on a greater variety of surfaces.

Intrigued? Order your own set of tempera cakes here.

2. Paint Sticks

Looking for the appearance of oil pastels or thick paint but without the mess? Paint sticks are just the ticket.

They dry incredibly fast – I am talking mere seconds here- and are so vibrant.

Order your own set of paint sticks here.

3. Kraft Paper

We always have a few of these bad boys on hand at our house.

Kraft paper is perfect for so many things.

Printmaking. Painting. Drawing. As a placemat. Large scale works. Small scale works. Collaborative works. As a wrapping paper.

Purchase a roll of white kraft paper here.

4. Glue

Liquid glue may be more messy than glue sticks, but the tradeoff is worth it.

Not only does liquid glue adhere better than glue sticks, but it also is a great lesson for kids in the concept of pressure. Squeezing a glue bottle also develops the hand muscles needed for the big task of writing.

Purchase bottles of washable glue here.

5. Construction Paper Crayons

Of course crayons need to be included on the list!

Aside from using crayons to draw and color, crayons can be used to create texture rubbings. They also are the perfect “resist” for children’s painting projects.

So why construction paper crayons? In my experience, these crayons are more vivid and durable than classic school crayons.

Purchase a three pack of construction paper crayons here.

6. Air Dry Clay

Air dry clay can be used for a variety of sculpture projects.

If you leave it out, it will harden and preserve your creations. However, if you place it in an airtight container, you can squish and reuse the clay much like you would play dough.

It is a great substitute for earthenware if you don’t have access to a kiln.

Purchase a package of air dry clay here.

7. Cardboard

Cardboard is so versatile. It is also budget-friendly and eco-friendly!

Use it for painting, drawing, collage, or sculpture. The possibilities are endless.

One of the tricky aspects of working in cardboard with kids is cutting it. Purchase a cutter for cardboard here.

8. Washable Markers

Marker is great for drawing, but can also be used for painting. In fact, one of my favorite ways to use washable markers is with the marker painting technique (read a blog post about the technique here).

Purchase a set of washable markers here.

9. Scissors

When it comes to collage and sculpture, scissors are an invaluable tool. They also play a key role in children’s hand muscle development and coordination.

It works best for kids when the scissors are blunt and the handles are small enough for them to maneuver the blades.

Purchase a pair of kid-friendly scissors here.

10. Permanent Marker

Permanent marker is a great tool when it comes to creating contrast in children’s artwork. It can be used to decorate air dry clay projects. The black ink even resists fading when used in a painting project.

Purchase a package of permanent markers here.

Do you have a must-have art supply that wasn’t listed? There are so many amazing products out there, but if you are a minimalist looking to simplify your craft supply stash, these are the ones to have!