Best Toddler Art Supplies of 2023

These crayons come with a plastic covering. They’re also washable, so you don’t need to worry about clothing stains or scrubbing your child’s skin raw.

The set comes with 36 heavily-pigmented gel crayons that can be used as regular crayons, pastels, or watercolors. They also work well on light or dark paper and even on wood.

This is perfect for versatility. Rather than buy many different art supplies, you can introduce your child to different mediums with one product.

This mat was one of my toddlers’ favorite activities. It lays flat on the ground and has a blank center space for creations.

It comes with four easy-to-fill water pens — both with fine-line tips and broad-line tips. Simply fill the pen with water, and your child can start coloring the white part of the mat. When the water reacts with the mat, it reveals a rainbow of colors underneath. The cool thing about this is that within 10 minutes, the mat dries completely blank again, so you can use it over and over.

This set also includes stamps, stencils, a drawing booklet, and suction cups for hanging your child’s creation or coloring in a standing position.

The pens and markers are stored in the included carrying case.

This is great for practicing hand-eye coordination as well as color perception. It’s large enough for two to three children to color together — ideal for families of multiples.

The mat is safe and non-toxic and contains no messy inks or paints. The back is made of water-resistant nylon.

If you want something sturdy and easy to take on the go, this drawing pad is an excellent choice. It’s similar to a coloring book in that it has thick pages with doodles on them. However, it gives your child an outline of a drawing to finish.

This encourages your child’s imagination and introduces them to the concept of drawing. The pages are thick and easy to tear from the notebook for display. It also comes with 60+ stickers — a toddler’s dream.

Not only is this one an excellent way to teach color matching, but it’s super practical, as it’s reusable. With this kit, you pop the buttons in and out to finish the picture on each board.

It comes with 10 pictures, 46 large, colored buttons, and a storage tray, which is handy for keeping all the pieces together.

This is great for working on hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It’s recommended for toddlers from 18 months old.

If your little one loves to paint but struggles with the fine motor skills to hold a paintbrush, these paintbrushes are the way to go. This set comes with four thick-handled brushes designed especially for toddlers.

The thicker handles make them easier for your toddler to grasp, making them the “next step up” from finger painting. They also come with a convenient storage pouch.

You can easily clean the brushes with mild soap and water. They don’t come with paint, so you’ll have to buy that separately.

This kit comes with 208 pieces of colored folding papers for endless origami fun with your little one. Your child can make a cat, dog, flamingo, or elephant.

It’s super easy to do as your child simply follows the 55-page instruction guide. Now, bonding would with toddler would be both fun and educational which harnesses his focus, creativity, and ability to follow instructions. The colored papers has design on it to make the end-product realistic.

If you’re not afraid of a little mess, consider this finger painting kit for your toddler. It’s suitable for children as young as 12 months old, making this one of the few art supplies for really young toddlers.

The set comes with 10 sheets of glossy paper and four washable finger paints. The paint colors are red, green, yellow, and blue — a perfect yet not overwhelming introduction to the rainbow.

The paint tubes are easy to open, and the paints are washable for a quick cleanup. They come in easy-to-squeeze tubes, so there’s no need to worry about cutting them to get the paint out.

If you’re looking for a way to gently introduce drawing to your toddler, check these crayons out. They’re designed for young hands and can double as a stacking toy.

The pack includes 12 fingertip crayons, which are washable for your convenience. They’re non-toxic and completely safe, as the actual crayon is hidden in the tiny hole at the bottom.

These do contain paraffin and soy wax, though. If your child is allergic to these ingredients, you’ll want to try a different brand.

These chunky beeswax crayons are handmade in Germany of 100% beeswax. They are free of lead, cadmium, and mercury. This makes them safe for toddlers who may end up putting the crayons in their mouth.

They don’t come with the potential mess that finger paint does, so that’s definitely a plus. There are 16 crayons in a pack, making them a long-lasting product. The thick design makes them easy to hold. They also come in a sturdy tin, which helps prevent them from getting lost.

These cling-style sticker pads are mess-free, which is nice for when you’re on the go or you need a break. There are several different themes, but the one we chose comes with two large books: one for vehicles and one for habitats.

The background scenes are full of color and glossy in texture. This product can help with hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creative play.

The pads are recommended for ages 3 and up, but many parents have purchased these for their toddlers as young as 18 months. You just need to ensure they don’t put them in their mouth, as they can be a choking hazard.

These are great for windows and mirrors. My kids have made huge scenes on our sliding glass door.

Editor's Note:

Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC

These washable dot markers are a fun activity for children 24 months old and up. The dauber-style markers fit comfortably in small hands and are both non-toxic and non-leaking. This makes for easy cleanup and less of a headache for you.

They come in an eight-pack with 10 activity pages. You can find additional printable coloring pages online. The lids attach to the end of the markers when they’re in use, so you don’t have to worry about losing them. However, you do need to keep an eye on little ones, as the lid could pose a choking hazard.

Do they remind you of Bingo daubers? They’re similar to the markers used in the game. You might even find yourself borrowing these for an evening with your friends.

This choice is nice for introducing your toddler to a variety of activities. The kit comes with six projects and is recommended for toddlers 18 months and up. The peel-and-stick frame is a cool feature — no glue necessary.

The set includes an easy-grip crayon, different textured papers, doilies, stickers, and tree and giraffe paper cut-outs. It’s perfect for encouraging imagination, developing fine motor skills, and fostering creativity.

These egg-shaped crayons are ergonomically designed to fit a toddler’s hands best. They come in six bright colors for your toddler’s enjoyment.

These are AP certified, non-toxic, and virtually mess-free. They’re convenient for throwing in your bag to keep your little one busy at restaurants or doctor’s offices. Easily washable, these crayons shouldn’t be an inconvenience.