Kids love crafting because it’s a way for them to be creative, explore their imaginations and express themselves. Every craft kit should have some essential items in it to help foster creativity.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a creative child, or you’re looking to put together a kit for your child, we’ve got you covered.
These kits come in all shapes and sizes, but all of them have one common goal: to help kids unleash their creativity. If you’re not sure what to put in your child’s craft kit, don’t worry!
We’ve put together a list of 15 must-have items that every kid’s craft kit should include. Keep reading to learn more!
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Best items to include in a craft kit for children
If your kids are on their vacation or if they get bored at home easily, I recommend teaching them to craft – it’s a fun activity and will help them develop their creativity.
The good news is that you don’t need expensive materials to engage in creative activities with children. Many of these items are ones you most likely already have lying around the house.
Moreover, if you can’t find them there, you may probably find them at a supermarket or a large department store. You only need a few to join in on the kiddos’ arts and crafts time… no matter how little you think you’re capable of originality!
Play-Doh
Play-Doh is a classic material for kids’ crafts. It’s soft and malleable, making it perfect for little hands to shape and play with.
You can buy the standard colors of Play-Doh, or get creative and make an array of vibrant colors.
Kids can make all kinds of creations with Play-Doh, from animals and figures to unique works of art.
Since playdough is malleable, it’s a great material for kids to get creative and let their imaginations run wild.
Construction paper
Construction paper is a must-have for any craft kit. It’s perfect for making cards, posters, and all kinds of artwork.
Construction paper is also great for teaching kids about color and texture. Kids can combine different colors of paper to create unique patterns, or they can use textured construction paper for added dimension.
Since it’s easy to cut, it’s perfect for all kinds of projects.
Dot paint markers
Dot-a-dot paint markers are a great way to help kids explore their creativity. Kids can use the markers to create dots of all different sizes, shapes and colors.
These markers are also great for teaching children how to draw, as they can practice drawing with the dots. Basically, the child can make vibrant dots on paper – these markers are like little stamps.
Kids like them because they can make colorful, creative designs that look like a real painting!
Glue sticks
Glue sticks are great for attaching different materials together, such as paper and fabric. They’re also great for making art projects.
Glue sticks are easy to use, and they dry quickly so you don’t have to worry about messes. Plus, glue sticks are usually washable, which makes them perfect for kids’ crafts. Glue sticks are much safer to use than glue guns, especially for very young kids.
Watercolor paint
Painting is a great way for kids to express themselves. Watercolor paints are great for kids because they’re easy to use and you don’t have to worry about messes.
Watercolor paints are also great for experimenting with different colors and techniques. Plus, they dry quickly so you don’t have to wait around for hours!
Kids can use watercolor paint to create beautiful works of art, or just have fun playing with the colors.
Scissors
Scissors are essential for any craft kit and are a great way to help kids develop their fine motor skills.
Kids can use scissors to cut paper, fabric, and other materials for their projects. There are different types of scissors available, so make sure you get the right ones for your child’s age and skill level (for example, safety scissors or blunt-tipped scissors which are toddler safe).
These tools should be used with adult supervision – make sure your child knows the right way to use scissors and never leaves them unattended.
Foam shapes
Foam shapes are a great addition to any craft kit. You can buy foam shapes in all kinds of sizes, colors, and designs.
Circles, triangles, squares are just some of the shapes you can get. The foam shapes are great as they offer a lot of texture and color to the kids’ art projects. They’re also very versatile, so they can be used for all kinds of different purposes.
You can also get glitter letter foam shapes so kids can also practice their spelling skills.
Washable finger paint
Finger painting is a great way to help kids express themselves and have fun. It’s also very easy – all you need is some paper, paint, and your child’s fingers!
But make sure you get washable finger paints as they’re easier to clean up. Washable finger paints can be used over and over again with little mess. They’re also great for experimenting with different colors and techniques.
Pom-poms
Pom-poms are a fun way to encourage kids to be creative. There are all kinds of pom-poms available in different sizes, colors, and shapes.
Kids can use the pom-poms to create unique decorations or artwork. They’re also great for teaching kids about color, shape and size as they can practice sorting and arranging the pom-poms.
Pom-poms are also a great way to help kids with their fine motor skills, as they can use them to make all kinds of different shapes and designs.
Pipe cleaners
Pipe cleaners are great for crafting! Kids can use them to make all kinds of different figures, from animals to flowers.
Pipe cleaners are easy to bend and shape and they come in a wide variety of colors. They’re also great for teaching kids about color, as they can practice matching, sorting and creating different designs.
Plus, pipe cleaners are easy to manipulate and kids can use them for hours of fun crafting.
Washi tape
Washi tape is a fun way to add color and pattern to kids’ projects. It’s also very easy to use as you just have to cut or tear off the tape and stick it on.
Washi tape comes in all kinds of colors, patterns, and designs so kids can get creative with their projects. They can use it to decorate cards, frames, boxes and more.
It’s also great for teaching kids about patterns and textures. Plus, it’s a great way to bring life to any project!
Crayons
No crafting kit is complete without some colorful crayons. Crayons are a great way to help kids develop their fine motor skills as they learn how to draw or write.
Plus, they come in all kinds of colors, so kids can get creative with their projects. Crayons are also great for teaching kids about colors and mixing them up to create different hues.
And they’re very easy to use, so even toddlers can play with crayons.
Stickers
Stickers are a great way to add color and texture to any project. There are all kinds of stickers available in different shapes, sizes, and designs.
Kids can use the stickers to decorate cards and crafts, as well as practice their spelling skills. Stickers are also a great way to teach kids about matching and sorting.
Plus, they can be used over and over again for hours of fun! My favorite stickers include puffy stickers and Melissa & Doug stickers.
Craft hole punchers
Craft hole punchers are a great way to help kids add texture to their projects. They come in all sorts of shapes, like hearts, stars, and circles, so kids can get creative with their projects.
They’re also great for teaching kids about shapes and patterns. Plus, they’re small so they fit into a child’s hands. They’re not dangerous to use and make all kinds of cool holes in craft paper.
Fuse beads
Fuse beads are a great way to help kids create artwork. They come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes so there’s lots of room for creativity. Kids can use fuse beads to create pictures, animals, and more.
They can also make bracelets, keychains, and other accessories. Plus, fuse beads aren’t messy so kids can use them over and over again with little mess.
Just a heads up, since fuse beads are very small, young children should always be supervised by adults to avoid any risk of choking hazards.
How to put together a kid-friendly crafting kit
Now that you have a list of 15 essential items for a good crafting kit, you’ll need to put it together. Here are some tips for doing so:
1. Make sure you have enough of each item for the number of kids crafting.
2. Put all the items in a convenient box or basket that’s easy for kids to access.
I recommend a large plastic bin or a few plastic containers. The clear plastic ones are best so you can see what’s in each bin.
3. If you’re going to have a lot of kids crafting, be sure to divide up the supplies so each kid gets their own set of supplies.
4. Label each container with the items inside, so kids know what they have and can easily find what they need.
5. Get organized by placing all the like items together, such as glue sticks with glue sticks, scissors with scissors, etc.
6. Add a few small decorations to the bin like stickers or ribbons, so kids can customize their own crafting boxes.
7. Make sure all the items are safe and age-appropriate for your kids.
Final thoughts
With these items in a kids craft kit, children will have hours of fun creating all kinds of projects! Each of these items is great for teaching kids about colors, shapes, and textures.
Plus, they’re all easy to use so kids can get creative with their projects and feel proud of the results. Finally, all these items are safe to use so parents can be sure their kids will have a fun and enjoyable crafting experience.
The great news is that you can mix and match or buy only some of these products for your child’s crafting kit.