Which arts and crafts supplies are best?
Kids and adults alike can find joy and a sense of accomplishment in arts and crafts, whether their chosen pursuit is scrapbooking, paper crafts, pottery, jewelry making or one of the many other creative options available. However, if you like to craft, you’ll need the right arts and crafts supplies to work on your projects. Although many are aimed at kids, grown-ups can have some fun, too.
This guide contains basic information about arts and crafts supplies that will help you choose the right ones to fit your needs. Our number one recommendation is the FunzBo Arts and Crafts Supplies Set, which contains many excellent craft supplies.
What to know before you buy arts and crafts supplies
Types of arts and crafts supplies
You’ll find a huge variety of arts and crafts supplies out there, but which are right for you or the person you’re buying for? Here, we’ll go over some types of supplies to inspire you.
- Drawing and painting supplies help put the “art” in arts and crafts. These supplies include paints, paintbrushes, pencils and markers.
- Textiles are used in a range of arts and crafts. Popular textile craft supplies include felt, yarn, fabric scraps, lace and ribbon.
- Paper is a common craft material used in everything from decoupage to papier-mâché to scrapbooking. If this is your area of interest, you’ll want a range of paper on hand, including construction paper, wax paper, card stock, newspapers and magazines, clear contact paper and tracing paper.
- Fun items can add something extra to a craft, especially for kids. These include googly eyes, glitter, sequins, pom-poms and pipe cleaners.
Age range
Consider the age range of the person you’re buying for. Any arts and crafts kit you’re looking into will list a minimum age suitable for, so you can ensure it’s safe for the intended user. When buying supplies individually, you’ll need to use your discretion. For instance, a six-year-old might be sensible enough to work with sequins, whereas a three-year-old might swallow them or stick them up their nose.
What to look for in quality arts and crafts supplies
Storage case
Compartmentalized storage cases can be helpful for keeping track of your arts and crafts supplies. Look for a kit that comes in such an organizer, especially if it contains a large amount of supplies that could easily get lost or mixed up.
Theme
Some arts and crafts supply sets are themed, such as comic book-making sets and paper-weaving sets. Other sets contain a range of assorted supplies to use as you choose. Alternatively, you can buy each item you need separately.
How much you can expect to spend on arts and crafts supplies
Arts and crafts supplies can range from $1-$10 for single items and small kits to around $100 for large kits containing hundreds of pieces.
Arts and crafts supplies FAQ
Q. Are arts and crafts supplies educational?
A. If your kids are engaged in home learning, you might wonder if arts and crafts supplies are educational. We believe they absolutely are. Arts and crafts flex children’s creative muscles, and creativity can help in all kinds of areas, from writing stories to figuring out how to solve a math puzzle. Arts and crafts can also improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, especially in younger kids. They teach children to focus on a task and get it done, even if it means adapting or coming up with creative solutions.
Q. Should I buy a large kit of mixed supplies or a more focused kit?
A. This depends on your style of crafting or that of the person you’re buying for. People with varied craft interests will use mixed kits that contain all kinds of arts and crafts supplies, such as paints, markers, sequins, fabrics, pipe cleaners and washi tape. Those with more focused craft interests, such as journaling or pottery, are unlikely to use a huge set of mixed supplies.
What are the best arts and crafts supplies to buy?
Top arts and crafts supply
FunzBo Arts and Crafts Supplies Set
What you need to know: It comes in a reusable plastic jar for easy and convenient storage. This jar contains all-in-one arts and crafts supplies. It’s a crafter’s fantasy!
What you’ll love: It guarantees that kids will enjoy crafting toys, room decoration or school projects for hours!
What you should consider: A lot of the googly eyes are too tiny to work with, and the glitter glue doesn’t stick well.
Top arts and crafts supply for the money
Crayola Inspiration Art Case Coloring Set
What you need to know: This set has everything a child needs to start drawing or coloring.
What you’ll love: It includes 20 small colored pencils, 64 crayons, 40 washable markers and 15 pieces of paper, all in a convenient carrying case.
What you should consider: The case is not very durable.
Worth checking out
MindWare’s Pottery Wheel for Beginners
What you need to know: This might look like a toy, but it’s an actual working pottery wheel that spins both ways, so lefties aren’t left out.
What you’ll love: You operate it by using a foot pedal. It also includes air-dry clay, potters’ tools, paints and a paintbrush. It has two speed settings.
What you should consider: The motor is noisy.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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