Arsty-Smarty Day! Art supplies and tools make fabulous gifts. They are consumable and it’s always fun to get a fresh supply even if kids have had them before. Our kiddos loved getting new paint, crayons, glue and all the stuff.
Art supplies shout creativity and allow for a wide range of skill levels. There is so much to do, but let’s get real for a minute. Some of you are just fine with the mess of it all, and some of you . . . well, you might be more like me. I love the creativity, but the mess? Not so much.
The answer for us was to choose an art day or hour, whatever works for you. That was the time that we pulled out all the stuff, made the mess, and cleaned it up. It worked at the time. I will add that my youngest is a “full-time” artist and always has been. I love her way more than a clean house, or clean floors, or ALL of my towels. 🙂 Her room is studio and there is usually paint from one end to the other. At my grandma age, I just keep on going and plan to refinish the floors after she moves out.
Note: One think I never do is glitter. I know, I’m breaking the hearts of my sparkly friends. Even though some glitter made it into my house, I avoided it with a passion. It is not only messy, it is often impossible to clean up. Plus it can get into eyes and it can even be breathed in. It’s pretty, but not good for kids, pets, and or the environment. I won’t judge you :-), but I won’t be in the glitter line.
Take a look at these goodies and paint on!
Start them early with Dot Paints. Fun and Easy (click here)
I’m usually not a fan of plastic, but these are can last for years and even generations with proper care. Older kids can use glass jars, but these are a safer option for little ones. Plus color coordinate brushes can help children keep the right brush in the right color.
Non-toxic Paint (click here) This is a simple set of paint that can be mixed for more range of colors. Color mixing is a fun activity in itself. I will never forget when my oldest was using a small inexpensive water color kit we picked up for a dollar. She was diligently mixing the paint and I asked her what color she wanted. My then 7 year old sighed and said, “I’m trying to get a nice shade of orchid.” ~my artist at heart.
Oh Yeah! The BIG box is always a winner (click here) Crayons and colored pencils are great options and are truly consumable. Unlike markers, they “disappear” with use instead of leaving behind more plastic.
Bees Wax crayons (click here) These are an investment. They might seem expensive upfront, but they will last and last. These are great for small hands that lack the fine motor skill and grasp for the more slender crayons.
Check out these options:
For older children (click here)
Rectangular Crayons Click here
Egg shaped crayons (non-toxic but not beeswax) Click here
High Quality colored pencils (click here) For younger children, you can start with basic inexpensive colored pencils, but as soon as they are 7+ or very artistically inclined from an early age, high quality colored pencils are a totally different experience. The colors are more vibrant and easier to blend. They come in sets of 12, 24 ,36, 72 and even 150.
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