Of all the classic play patterns—and toy categories—arts and crafts is one of the most enduring. People naturally love making things—and that includes kids. Binney & Smith added color to their wax marking sticks in 1903, thus creating Crayola Crayons. Paints, construction paper, modeling compounds, markers, and more are staples of the toybox and the classroom.
Art and crafts play is important developmentally as well. It emphasizes process, learning, creative visualization, planning, open-ended play (often), and motor skills. At the same time, the pride of making something helps build confidence and self-esteem—as refrigerator doors around the world have been de factopicture galleries for generations.
It’s a lifelong pastime, too. The recent trend in adult coloring books, modeling as an adult activity, and painting and drawing provide pleasure and engagement at any age.
There is also the social component of these toys. In recent years we’ve seen a boom in craft kits that allow kids to make things to share with adults or other kids. As humans, we often connect through what we create.
When I was a kid, we had a coffee can of crayons. We would draw on paper bags from the Acme, and my mother would save things like paper towel tubes, stray buttons in a craft box that might come out on a rainy day. And what parent hasn’t had to marvel at some collage made of macaroni and paste?
We’ve collected some current arts and crafts toys that go a little bit beyond that, though those are still great options. Take a look at some of what we’re playing with these days when we feel the urge to create.
Doodle & Draw Markers from Crayola
For ages 6 and up
$9.99 each
Where to Buy
These exceptional high quality markers have been designed with older kids in mind. Great colors, a more grownup look, and a variety of styles are perfect for school projects, posters, or just drawing for the fun of it. The collection includes the Fine Point Doodle Markers for bold statements, Ultra-Fine Doodle Markers for intricate of details, Dual-Ended Doodle Markers to create both thick and thin lines with the dual-sided brush and chisel tip, and our favorite, the Color Change Doodle Markers to create beautiful layers of colors that change as you color over them. There are other items in the line, including colored pencils. We thought these were hard to put down once we started drawing.
Made by Me Ultimate Craft Box from Horizon Group
For ages 6 and up
$24.99
Where to Buy
It’s like a treasure chest of crafting goodies! This fantastic set has more than 1,000 pieces that include glitter glue, fuzzy sticks, pom poms, gemstones, friendship threads, googly eyes, scissors, beads, foam sheets, foam stickers… The list goes on and on. If ever there was a set to encourage kids to let their imaginations run wild, this is it. It’s great for solo play, but there’s enough here that you could make an afternoon’s entertainment for a gang of kids as well. There’s no limit to what kids can make. Better clear space on your fridge to showcase all the great things kids will make!
Real Littles Micro Crafts from Moose Toys
For ages 6 and up
$9.99
Where to Buy
Kids love crafting—and they love tiny things. Those two faves come together in Real Littles Micro. Six themed DIY craft kits with colorful caboodles for storing, carrying and stacking. Each craft kit includes everything needed to create micro versions of popular crafting items. There are six different kits in the line—and they’re collectible. There’s a terrarium, lightbox, bath bombs, glitter globes, a painting set, and a mini backpack maker. They may be miniature, but they’re high quality, and kids will enjoy discovering additional features and surprises as they create.
Playfoam from Educational Insights
For ages 3 and up
$5-$40 (depending on the set)
Where to Buy
Hey, we couldn’t do an arts and crafts roundup without a compound. We like this because it’s so squishy and tactile—and a little different from other compounds out there. Playfoam never dries out, and it’s no mess. It comes in a wide variety of colors and different size packages. Adults may want to play with it, too!
Cool Maker PopStyle Tile Bracelet Maker from Spin Master
For ages 7 and up
$24.99
Where to Buy
This is so easy, cool, and fun! Kids make their own designs and there are enough materials to make (and re-make) 10 bracelets. It’s super easy with just a press because there are no knots to tie, cutting, or clasps. Even the youngest kids can be successful and inspired. There are 170 beads to choose from: gold chains, emojis, faceted, peek-a-boo, striped beads, and letter stickers. And, mom, there’s storage! (We know how much you like that.) It’s great for making and sharing (as we noted above).
Cra-Z-Art Friendship Bracelet Makers from Cra-Z-Art
For ages 5 and up
$9.99-$27.99
Where to Buy
Friendship bracelets are more popular than ever thanks to Taylor Swift—and her Swifties. Kids can make so many different ones with this collection of sets from Cra-Z-Art. Each set includes hundreds of beads, threads, and everything needed. Prices range by the size of the set and various accessories to make creation easier.
Create-A-Castle Sandcastle Kit from Create-A-Castle
For ages 3 and up
$57.99
Where to Buy
Historically, some of the best and most popular toys are those that “broke the rules.” For example, the original NERF ball broke the rule that “You can’t play ball in the house.” Well, another long-standing rule has been smashed, and the result is amazing. Create-A-Castle broke the rule “You can’t build sandcastles in the house.” Yes, you can. This great set includes their special, no-mess compound that looks like real sand, or snow. Use the molds to create the pieces. Pack them with compound, then open them up, and you have perfectly formed pieces you can assemble into really cool castles. (Oh, and you can play with this outside if you want, too.)
Paint Your Photo, Pet Edition from Printable Pictures
For ages 9 and up.
$39.99, starting in October
Where to Buy
Okay, this is so, so cool! It’s from a new, small company, and this makes a great gift, either as the set…or the completed picture You can turn any photograph into a paint-by-numbers masterpiece. This small, two-person company is just starting out, and they realized that what people want most to paint are pictures of their pets. So, what you do is upload a picture of your pet, and within about a minute it gets transformed into a paint-by-numbers original. Just print that out on your home printer, and you’re ready to go. There are 48 colors in the box, and two canvases. We were absolutely blown away by how easy and fun this is to do, and how well they translated the picture into something you could paint. It’s a truly unique gift, and one we think will be a huge hit.
Create-A-Castle Sandcastle Kit from Create-A-Castle
For ages 3 and up
$57.99
Where to Buy
Historically, some of the best and most popular toys are those that “broke the rules.” For example, the original NERF ball broke the rule that “You can’t play ball in the house.” Well, another long-standing rule has been smashed, and the result is amazing. Create-A-Castle broke the rule “You can’t build sandcastles in the house.” Yes, you can. This great set includes their special, no-mess compound that looks like real sand, or snow. Use the molds to create the pieces. Pack them with compound, then open them up, and you have perfectly formed pieces you can assemble into really cool castles. (Oh, and you can play with this outside if you want, too.)
This is a category where there’s always something new, and something special for kids. Keep checking back here as we update this list as more products are introduced!
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