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Arts & Crafts
Sculpture, finger-paints, fabric art, digital art, even doodles are just some of the ways kids explore their artistic interests. Keep their expressions flowing (and off your living room walls) with these art supplies, kits, books and more.
And don't miss our Gifts Kids Can Make list for more arts-and-crafts products and ideas.
Crayola Beginnings TaDoodles First Marks B.U.V.
Ages: All Ages
Crayola, LLC,
$14.99
For the toddlers, this car with the long name offers a variety of activities. First, it's a vehicle to push along the floor. Second, it houses three egg-shaped "TaDoodles," which are self-contained paint holders just the right size and shape for a child's first palm grasp. There's no dipping, dripping or spilling because the egg-like pieces are weighted to always return to upright. The marker's tip is dry to the touch but when dabbed on paper, reveals a rich color.
Flip & Doodle Easel Desk with Stool
Ages: 2 & Up
The Step2 Company,
$59.99
Start with the upright easel and fold it down to function as a desk. Plastic trays are deep enough to store paints and supplies. The cup holder can secure a cup of water to refresh a thirsty artist, or keep crayons at the ready. The stool adds an extra element of fun and function.
My Giant Busy Box
Ages: 2 & Up
ALEX,
$32.99
Alex My Giant Busy Box is 6 great projects in one giant box of fun. Make dough animals, collage a farm and sticker art. Create paper bag puppets and tissue art pictures. This includes two plastic frames, four animal punch outs, and ten colors of dough, two peel and stick tissue art pictures, tons of tissue paper, glue, and easy instructions. It comes in a reusable box with a woven handle. Product Description
Make-Your-Own™ Masterpieces
Ages: 4 - 12 yrs.
Made By Hands, Inc.,
$18.99
Five various-sized, heavy-duty cardstock boards with picture frame stands allow easy display of children's artwork. Hundreds of colorful die cut pieces invite little hands to create a portrait, a landscape, an animal or an "Oh, now I see it." Smaller children can simply glue the shapes randomly or in easy patterns, and older children can build more complex images with the shapes.
Crayola 3D Sidewalk Chalk
Ages: 4 & Up
Crayola, LLC,
$9.99
You have to see this to believe it. This unique twist to the traditional sidewalk chalk, mesmerized our testers. The stencils, contrasting colors of chalk, and 3D glasses transform ho-hum sidewalk sketches into dazzling driveway drawings. Wearing the 3D glasses, children watch their creations come to life as they "pop" off the sidewalk. It’s affordable, fun, and will challenge children to find new ways to use the 3D effect.
Eye Can Art Printmaking Kit
Eye Can Art’s Printmaking kit introduces youngsters to the art of the collograph - a simple printing technique that uses found materials arranged in a collage. With everything needed to make dramatic-looking collograph printed images, the kit offers step-by-step instructions to recreate the suggested design, or create an original. Younger children will need to work with an adult to get help with the instructions and certain steps, but older children will be able to work without help. All items are packaged in an easy-to-carry reusable container.
Ages: 4 & Up
Eye Can Art,
$23.99
Eye Can Art’s Printmaking kit introduces youngsters to the art of the collograph - a simple printing technique that uses found materials arranged in a collage. With everything needed to make dramatic-looking collograph printed images, the kit offers step-by-step instructions to recreate the suggested design, or create an original. Younger children will need to work with an adult to get help with the instructions and certain steps, but older children will be able to work without help. All items are packaged in an easy-to-carry reusable container.
Hand Art
Updating the old turkey from kindergarten (tracing one's hands and coloring the fingers to look like turkey feathers), this trace-and-color book shows how to create an octopus, snail, horse, giraffe, dragon and a dozen more creatures by holding one’s hands in different positions. Crayons, googly eyes, and pom-poms are included.
Ages: 4 & Up
Klutz,
$9.95
Updating the old turkey from kindergarten (tracing one's hands and coloring the fingers to look like turkey feathers), this trace-and-color book shows how to create an octopus, snail, horse, giraffe, dragon and a dozen more creatures by holding one’s hands in different positions. Crayons, googly eyes, and pom-poms are included.
Rose Art Smart Easel
Ages: 4 & Up
MEGA Brands, Inc.,
$39.99
Every child should have an easel. The framework is very stable, with four rubber feet to avoid skidding and toppling. There is a large canvas storage bin under the work surface, a tray to hold in-use art supplies (complete with cupholder for water for rinsing brushes), and storage pockets on the side for crayons, markers, and other commonly used supplies. Finally, this easel collapses down in a few steps and can be carried or stored away in the included canvas bag.
Almond Blossoms: A Vincent Van Gogh Story
Join this Starry Night swirl of an adventure through the breathtaking world of Vincent van Gogh's painting. In a small French village, the shy and eccentric van Gogh is teased by the local children for being unusual. Only young Marguerite Gachet is willing to look past his angry red hair and freckled face. In accepting van Gogh, she is introduced to his otherwise overlooked art. Van Gogh has never sold a painting in his life, but when Marguerite needs a miracle, he is able to create a masterpiece. His enchanted almond blossom will save the day.
Ages: 5 - 10 yrs.
Auryn Inc.,
$7.99 (DVD)
Join this Starry Night swirl of an adventure through the breathtaking world of Vincent van Gogh's painting. In a small French village, the shy and eccentric van Gogh is teased by the local children for being unusual. Only young Marguerite Gachet is willing to look past his angry red hair and freckled face. In accepting van Gogh, she is introduced to his otherwise overlooked art. Van Gogh has never sold a painting in his life, but when Marguerite needs a miracle, he is able to create a masterpiece. His enchanted almond blossom will save the day.
In Winter Still: A Claude Monet Story
Set in Claude Monet's glorious nineteenth century garden at Giverny, In Winter Still is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's fairy tale, The Selfish Giant, is illustrated in the style of Monet, and animated to bring his Impressionist world to life. For parents who want to introduce their children to the joy of art, literature and music, it's hard to think of a program that surpasses this in excellence.
Ages: 5 - 10 yrs.
Auryn Inc.,
$7.99 (DVD)
Set in Claude Monet's glorious nineteenth century garden at Giverny, In Winter Still is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's fairy tale, The Selfish Giant, is illustrated in the style of Monet, and animated to bring his Impressionist world to life. For parents who want to introduce their children to the joy of art, literature and music, it's hard to think of a program that surpasses this in excellence.
Make-Your-Own™ Scrapbooks
Budding archivists will giggle away the hours while preserving memories with this fun new kit!Contains over 800 acid-free Pop-Outs! (fun and easy pop-out shapes), 3 accordian fold scrapbooks (24 pages total), and a glue stick.
Ages: 5 - 12 yrs.
Made By Hands, Inc.,
$18.99
Budding archivists will giggle away the hours while preserving memories with this fun new kit!Contains over 800 acid-free Pop-Outs! (fun and easy pop-out shapes), 3 accordian fold scrapbooks (24 pages total), and a glue stick.
Collage Machine
Ages: 5 & Up
ProtoZone Inc,
$24.95
From painstakingly searching for and assembling different single images, pieces of paper, type and the like, and gluing all together to create a completely new work of the combined pieces, to the Collage Machine, this "little disk that could" comes fully loaded with a library of more than 500 images - photographs, shapes both geometric and abstract and a variety of stylized alphabets. If that’s not enough, you can import and incorporate your own pictures, drawings and words.
Crayola Color Surge
Ages: 5 & Up
Crayola, LLC,
$9.99
Color Surge lets kids do what they never could before - create bright colors on dark colored paper. This set lets you make the most of Color Surge fun, with both Classic and Crazy Tips markers. The Deluxe Set includes: 30 Color Surge Sheets, 3 Crazy tip markers, 3 Fine line markers, 3 Broad line markers, and 1 Stencil. Product Description
Flip Boom
Ages: 5 & Up
Toon Boom Animation Inc.,
$39.99
As animation programs go, it doesn't get much simpler than this-which is why Flip Boom is the perfect little draw-and-animate software for kids who'd like to see their doodling come alive. Designed for beginners, it includes mostly the basic tools that all draw-and-paint programs have-the brush for creating images (brush size is changeable), paint bucket for coloring in spaces, a seven-color palette, an eraser, plus editing commands such as cut, copy, paste and undo. Add to that a few necessary animation tools--a frame sequencer and playback, speed selector and looping controls--and you got all that's needed to create the simplest animations.
Model Magic Fusion
Ages: 5 & Up
Crayola, LLC,
$9.99
Model Magic Fusion is soft and easy to shape. Fusion won't crumble, and won't stick to your hands! Unused portions stay fresh and workable in resealable tubs. Finished projects will air dry overnight. Fusion works great over recycled items like cups and paper tubes. Product Description
Animation-ish
Ages: 6 & Up
Fablevision,
$59.95
If your child is a doodler or aspiring artist, this program makes quick work of bringing to life their scribbles and drawings. Created by children's-book illustrator, author and animator Peter H. Reynolds, this software is easy enough for a 6-year-old but sophisticated enough that even adults can have fun and be inspired as they turn their most basic drawings into colorful moving animation.
Draw Like a Pro
Ages: 6 & Up
ALEX,
$39.99
This set features a battery-powered projector and 124 images grouped by category (i.e. dinosaurs) that can be projected onto a drawing tray and traced. The kit also includes 6 markers, 10 sheets of paper and a flip book, and the entire unit folds up for easy storage and portability. The selection of available "clip art" (as one of our older kids called it) and the ability to draw on not just paper, but also on cards, tee shirts and foam door hangers made this activity popular with even the teenage testers.
Twisted Tie Dye Machine
Create works of art that you can wear! This set lets you create up to 12 tie-dye t-shirts. Or, get crafty and make cool tie-dye socks, colorful wall hangings or tie-dye any other fabric item.
Ages: 6 & Up
NSI International, Inc.,
$14.99
Create works of art that you can wear! This set lets you create up to 12 tie-dye t-shirts. Or, get crafty and make cool tie-dye socks, colorful wall hangings or tie-dye any other fabric item.
Making Amazing Art!
Ideals Publications , $12.99 (Hard Cover)
This is a terrific book for serious artists---ages 7 and up. It takes kids through 7 elements of design: line; shape; texture; color; value; form; and space. To illustrate each method, Henry, who's an art teacher, displays works done by young students in her own art classes. Projects range from simple for beginners, to more sophisticated, incorporating advanced terms as well as techniques. Well-known artists such as DaVinci or Oldenburg are cited as examples of methods kids are learning.
Ages: 7 - 13 yrs.
Author: Sandi Henry
Illustrator: Sarah Cole
Ideals Publications , $12.99 (Hard Cover)
This is a terrific book for serious artists---ages 7 and up. It takes kids through 7 elements of design: line; shape; texture; color; value; form; and space. To illustrate each method, Henry, who's an art teacher, displays works done by young students in her own art classes. Projects range from simple for beginners, to more sophisticated, incorporating advanced terms as well as techniques. Well-known artists such as DaVinci or Oldenburg are cited as examples of methods kids are learning.
Using Color in Your Art!: Choosing Colors for Impact & Pizzazz
Ages: 7 - 14 yrs.
Author: Sandi Henry
Illustrator: Sarah Rakitin
Williamson Publishing, $12.95 (Paperback)
Included are reproductions of other students' paintings, both children and adults, as well as those of acclaimed master artists. The overall message of this book is that you don't have to be a professional to have fun and enjoy using color in art.
ArtLab Car Design Studio
Ages: 7 & Up
SmartLab,
$22.99
This all-inclusive art kit puts young gearheads behind the wheel of their dream car! Kids will learn how to illustrate customized cars using a light table, colored pencils, acetate overlays printed with simple traceable outlines of car silhouettes and 95 traceable "cling" accessory add-ons. Includes instructions for creating 10 customized cars, but that's just the beginning! Product Description
ARTLAB Clay Studio
Ages: 7 & Up
SmartLab,
$19.99
The ARTLAB Clay Studio includes not only clay, but also a very detailed instruction book, complete with a broad view of artistic and practical sculpture, directions and patterns for shaping realistic (and sometimes exotic) animals, information on mixing colors to create various effects, and processes for using tools and layering clay to make textures.
ARTLAB Fashion Studio
The future fashion designer can learn the tricks of the trade with this well-designed kit that presents appropriate clothes for all occasions and everything needed to create a full fashion line. Contents include 34 traceable acetate wardrobe pieces, 10 artist-quality colored pencils, a pad of sketch paper, and a 32-page book filled with multiple drawing techniques, as well as how to use color, patterns and texture.Most importantly, it includes a unique light table that illuminates every outfit and makes it possible to create a professional-looking fashion portfolio.
Ages: 7 & Up
SmartLab,
$19.99
The future fashion designer can learn the tricks of the trade with this well-designed kit that presents appropriate clothes for all occasions and everything needed to create a full fashion line. Contents include 34 traceable acetate wardrobe pieces, 10 artist-quality colored pencils, a pad of sketch paper, and a 32-page book filled with multiple drawing techniques, as well as how to use color, patterns and texture.Most importantly, it includes a unique light table that illuminates every outfit and makes it possible to create a professional-looking fashion portfolio.
The Renaissance Art Game
Ages: 7 & Up
Birdcage Press,
$27.95
The entire family can explore Renaissance art while playing tradional-style card games. A book detailing the art, artists, and artistic styles of the period accompanies the game.
Also look for The Impressionist Art Game
Van Gogh and Friends
This book will appeal to both children and adults as it presents the work of Post-Impressionist luminaries. Providing fun facts about the artists, how they lived, and what life was like in France during the industrial revolution of the 1800s, Van Gogh and Friends includes full-color reproductions throughout.
Ages: 7 & Up
Birdcage Press,
$16.95 (Hard Cover)
This book will appeal to both children and adults as it presents the work of Post-Impressionist luminaries. Providing fun facts about the artists, how they lived, and what life was like in France during the industrial revolution of the 1800s, Van Gogh and Friends includes full-color reproductions throughout.
A Book of Artrageous Projects
The ever-clever elves at Klutz have partnered with the Metropolitan Museum of Art staff to produce a hands-on art museum between book covers.
Ages: 8 & Up
Klutz,
$19.95
The ever-clever elves at Klutz have partnered with the Metropolitan Museum of Art staff to produce a hands-on art museum between book covers.
Eye Can Art Sumi-e Painting Kit
Ages: 8 & Up
Eye Can Art,
$23.99
The Eye Can Art Sumi-E Painting Kit introduces children to the Japanese painting style of high contrast, bold, minimalist design. The set includes all the materials necessary to make several paintings, as well as the supplies to create more than one "chop," a personal signature stamp. The kit includes black watercolor paint, a paintbrush, a wood block, foam squares, and red printing ink for making a custom signature stamp, scroll paper, design paper, and black mounting paper for finished projects.
Fashion Angels Fashion Design Studio Set
Ages: 8 & Up
Fashion Angels Enterprises,
$24.00
This is not the stereotypical girlie fashion product. It is a serious curriculum for the budding fashion designer. Contents include a spectrum of 24 good quality colored pencils and a matching number of colored markers; a 16-page guide to 16 parts of an outfit (e.g. collars, necklines, blouses, sleeves, jackets) with as many as eight variations of each; sketch pads for preliminary ideas for dresses, purses and shoes, with space for notes on colors, fabrics and specs; pads of newsprint and tracing paper; a packet of cards on which to paste fabric swatches, and textured "rubbing" cards for making patterns on fabric; five pockets for filing fashion designs; a lesson on color theories, and photographs of fabrics and patterns.
Graphic T-Shirt Designer
This set includes everything you need including the Cooler Jeweler Tool to add blingin' gems and studs, fabric markers, ribbon, and an idea book full of creative ways to transform your tee's, tanks, hoodies, and more!
Ages: 8 & Up
Fashion Angels Enterprises,
$20.00
This set includes everything you need including the Cooler Jeweler Tool to add blingin' gems and studs, fabric markers, ribbon, and an idea book full of creative ways to transform your tee's, tanks, hoodies, and more!
Happily Ever Crafter
Ages: 8 & Up
ALEX,
$39.99
Designed especially for young crafters interested in sewing, crocheting and needlework, this brightly colored, sturdy oval cardboard box contains nine project ideas and directions and ample supplies to complete them.
