The BEST Art Supplies for Drawing

The BEST Art Supplies for Drawing

The Artful Parent’s top recommendations of kids art supplies for drawing. Plus drawing books, art prompts, games and other drawing ideas for kids!

Does you child love to draw? This is something that’s been so fun to watch develop in my own kids as they move from scribbles to representing what they’re interested in.

In the early years, it’s our job to provide the materials to foster child-directed exploration through drawing––and encourage kids to have lots of fun along the way.

Drawing with Kids

At The Artful Parent, we believe it’s important to take a process art approach to drawing.

Jean Van’t Hul, founder of The Artful Parent and author of 3 kids arts and crafts books explains this further below:

When we embrace process art in the early years, we lay a good foundation for an open-ended and experimental approach to art. We want to foster confidence, competency and joy.

This comes down more to the approach that’s taken and the mindset that it fosters.

Keep in mind there is no ‘right way’ to draw. (i.e. Don’t copy an adult drawing example and promote it as the ‘correct’ way to draw it.)

As children grow throughout elementary school, kids may become interested in how to draw books:

“Kids want that instruction and specific techniques at a certain age–they have something in their head and want to portray it on paper.

Repetition is key here as kids can then use those skills and techniques to make it their own.

It’s our job as parents and educators to encourage skills to lay building blocks for art and provide skills to increase confidence throughout their art making.

With that said, it is all about fostering a lifelong creativity, not being a professional artist someday.

Find the creative thing that works for your child such as: cooking, drawing, pottery, Lego, sculpting and building or science.”

Further reading:

best drawing supplies for kids_pin
photo by rachel withers

Below you’ll find our top recommendations of art supplies for drawing, divided by age for easy reference.

Start with a few versatile drawing supplies during the toddler years, then add to your materials as your child grows.

Drawing Supplies for Kids

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Photo by Rachel Withers

Toddler Art Supplies for Drawing

What to expect: Scribbling is the norm for ages 1-3 and should be encouraged.

oil pastels
Photo by Rachel Withers

Preschool Art Supplies for Drawing

What to expect: Preschoolers may begin creating representational drawings, of themselves, or the world around them.

kids art supplies for drawing
Photo by Rachel Withers

Big Kids Art Supplies for Drawing

What to expect: Your child may start off drawing without prompting, or may benefit from some of the ideas below. By age 8 or 9, many kids are interested in learning drawing skills to take their drawings to a new stage.

Additional Reading: For more on what to expect, read “Ages and Stages” in The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family’s Life with Art and Creativity (pages 17-20) and How to Be an Artful Parent

drawing books for kids
Photo by Rachel Withers

Drawing Books for Kids

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Photo by Rachel Withers

Drawing Activities for Kids

Alright, so now you’ve got the drawing supplies. And you might even have a drawing book on hand. But maybe you’re still feeling stuck on how to help your child get started.

You may find it easiest to get started playing a drawing game together. Or print out some drawing prompts or other drawing printables.

The key here is to find ways to allow your child to explore and create their own art, remembering there is no right or wrong way to draw.

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Photo by Catalina Gutierrez

1. Kids Drawing Games for Individuals / Groups

Kids love games so what better way to loosen up and get drawing than by playing a few drawing games?

One of my favorite ways to engage a group of kids is with a big piece of paper and a scribble art invitation. A great way to bring kids age 3+ together creating colorful art. (And I often use this prompt with my son when we’re out sitting and waiting with a good chunk of time on our hands.)

Invitation-to-Draw_Feature-image-2
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

2. Drawing Prompts

Founder of The Artful Parent, Jean Van’t Hul, is author of Invitation to Draw (filled with 99 drawing prompts)! Jean is passionate about engaging kids with open ended prompts to inspire their own creative development.

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Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

3. Creative Drawing Ideas for Kids

Below are a list of printable drawing ideas to get kids’ creative juices flowing!

Begin to notice what you see in the world around you and want to draw it. There’s no better place to start than observational drawing! Gather items such as fruit or flowers, stuffed animals and even donuts!

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Photo by Samara Caughey

More Drawing Ideas for Kids

Pin It For Later

kids drawing supplies_pin
Photo by Rachel Withers

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