Most standard craft supplies are designed for older kids with refined motor skills. For a toddler, you need safety and durability. We searched high and low for the best art supplies specifically for little hands. These picks are safe, washable, and affordable.
From mess-free water mats to ergonomic crayons, we have options to save you cleanup time. Let’s help your little one start their artistic journey.
- 36 highly pigmented colors
- Crayon is washable
- Works on light or dark paper
- Nontoxic and safe
- Collaborative art fun
- Water-resistant nylon mat
- Good for traveling
- Sturdy design
- Encourages early drawing skills
- With convenient storage tray
- Great for hand-eye coordination
- Includes 46 colorful buttons
- Great for little hands
- Convenient storage pouch
- Easy to clean
- Good for animal lovers
- Multi-colored
- Virtually mess-free
- Great introduction to colors
- Paint is washable
- Easy-squeeze tubes
- Certified non-toxic material
- 12 basic colors
- Super durable
- Different themes available
- Mess-free activity
- Full of color, glossy in texture
How to Choose Art Supplies for Toddlers
Age and Development
Your child’s developmental stage dictates what supplies are safe. Are they still putting everything in their mouth?
For young toddlers still in the “tasting” phase, stick to edible finger paints or beeswax crayons. Once they stop mouthing objects, you can graduate to markers and more complex kits. Always check the age recommendation on the package.
Child’s Interest
If your child isn’t talking yet, observe how they play. Do they like stacking blocks? They might like crayon “rocks” they can stack. Do they like smearing food? Finger painting might be a hit.
This often requires trial and error. Fortunately, toddler art supplies are generally inexpensive, so testing different mediums won’t break the bank.
Is It Messy?
Real talk: toddlers are walking disasters. Not every parent has the energy for a full-blown finger painting session every day.
If you need a break from scrubbing tables, look for “mess-free” options. Water reveal mats, magnetic drawing boards, and color-wonder style markers are lifesavers for busy days.
Messy can be overwhelming, but it’s ultimately how young children explore. Invest in a craft mat to help you enjoy the process and not stress over the mess!
Editor's Note:
Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC
Non-Toxic Ingredients
Safety is non-negotiable. Toddlers touch their eyes and mouths constantly. Even water-based products can cause irritation.
Look for the AP (Approved Product) seal from the Arts and Crafts Materials Institute (1).
Here is what the labels mean:
- AP (Approved Product): These are non-toxic and safe. They contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans.
- CL (Cautionary Label): These contain ingredients that can be harmful if swallowed or absorbed. Avoid these for toddlers.
Longevity and Storage
Toddlers are rough on their possessions. Look for thick crayons that won’t snap instantly and markers with reinforced tips.
Consider storage, too. Supplies that come in their own tins, tubs, or pouches are much easier to organize. If you leave markers uncapped, they dry out fast, so teach your little one to listen for the “click” when closing caps.
Benefits of Art for Toddlers
Art isn’t just about making a pretty picture. It is a massive workout for your child’s brain and body (2).
While parents often focus on learning letters, creative play builds the foundation for those academic skills.
Fine Motor Skills
Creating art requires your child to grasp, pinch, and control tools. Holding objects firmly strengthens the hand muscles.
Scribbling with a crayon helps develop the dexterity needed for writing, buttoning shirts, and tying shoes later in life.
Language Development
Art provides a natural opportunity to build vocabulary. As your toddler plays with art mediums, talk about what they are doing.
Describe colors, textures (sticky, smooth, rough), and actions (squish, draw, dab). Even if they aren’t speaking yet, this descriptive commentary boosts their language comprehension significantly.
Creativity and Self-Expression
Art is one of the first ways children express themselves. You get a peek inside their mind through their creations.
Encouraging this expression builds confidence. When you display their work or praise their effort, they feel proud. This early confidence in art play encourages them to be innovative thinkers as they grow (3).
Product Reviews
What tools actually survive a toddler’s grip? We rounded up the top 13 art supplies for 2025. Whether you need mess-free travel kits, craft kits, or washable paints for the kitchen table, we have options for every budding artist.
Noyo Gel Crayons
Most Versatile
The Noyo Gel Crayons are a fantastic “3-in-1” tool. They feature a buttery smooth texture that glides across paper easily, which is great for toddlers with weak grip strength.
You can use them as standard crayons, blend them like pastels, or add a wet paintbrush to turn the drawing into a watercolor painting. This versatility keeps kids entertained for longer.
The plastic casing keeps hands relatively clean, and the “twist-up” design prevents breakage. Plus, they are washable, so stray marks on the table wipe right off.
Pros
- Functions as crayon, pastel, and watercolor.
- Includes 36 vibrant colors.
- Easy to wipe off non-porous surfaces.
Cons
- Can smear on skin if touched immediately.
Our Ratings
Magic Doodle Mat
Perfect for Siblings
If you dread cleanup, this mat is your new best friend. It uses water, and only water, to reveal colors.
The large floor mat provides a white canvas. When your child draws with the included water-filled pens, a rainbow background appears. After about 10 minutes, the water evaporates, the drawing disappears, and the mat is blank and ready for round two.
Since it is purely water-based, you never have to worry about ink stains on the carpet or walls. It comes with stencils and stamps to add variety. The large size accommodates two or three kids, making it perfect for playdates or siblings.
Pros
- Zero mess; uses only water.
- Large enough for multiple children.
- Reusable endlessly.
Cons
- Water pens loosen clockwise (backward) for safety, which can confuse parents initially.
Our Ratings
Alex Discover My First Scribble Pad
For Budding Doodlers
This isn’t your average blank notepad. The Alex Discover pad acts as a guided tour into drawing. It features sturdy pages with pre-printed doodles and prompts to help spark your child’s imagination.
It bridges the gap between a blank page and a coloring book. The heavy paper creates a stable surface for scribbling, even if you are in a car or waiting room.
It includes plenty of stickers, which toddlers notoriously love. The spiral binding allows the book to lay flat, making it easier for lefties and righties alike to draw without the page flipping shut.
Pros
- Excellent for travel.
- Thick paper resists tearing.
- Guided prompts help start creativity.
Cons
- Stickers can be tricky for tiny fingers to peel independently.
Our Ratings
Alex Discover Button Art
Months of Reusable Fun
This kit is fantastic for teaching color matching and pincer grasp. It functions like a mosaic; children snap large, colorful plastic buttons into a pegboard to “color in” a picture.
It includes 10 different picture templates, such as a frog, bird, or tree. Because the buttons pop right back out, you can play with this set hundreds of times.
The buttons are chunky enough to be safe for toddlers over 18 months, though supervision is always smart. It includes a storage tray, making it a self-contained activity unit.
Pros
- Highly reusable.
- Builds hand-eye coordination and color recognition.
- Chunky pieces are easy to handle.
Cons
- The storage tray doesn’t latch shut securely.
Our Ratings
Melissa & Doug Jumbo Paint Brush Set
For Little Painters
Standard paintbrushes are like toothpicks in a toddler’s hand, hard to control. These Melissa & Doug brushes feature bulbous, easy-grip handles designed specifically for a palmar grasp.
This set eases the transition from finger painting to tool use. The bristles are durable and easy to wash with soap and warm water.
They come in a clear pouch for storage. Note that you will need to buy paint and paper separately, but these brushes are an investment that will last through many art sessions.
Pros
- Ergonomic handles for toddlers.
- Includes storage pouch.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- Bristles are stiff, which is good for durability but less so for detail.
Our Ratings
Pigipigi Craft Origami Paper
No Mess and Sure to Impress
While true origami is advanced for a toddler, this kit serves as a great bonding activity. You can do the folding while your child directs the show or plays with the finished animals.
The kit includes 208 sheets of colorful paper and a 55-page guide to make cats, dogs, flamingos, and more. For an older toddler, simply crumpling and folding the paper is a great sensory experience, even if they don’t make a perfect crane.
It is mess-free and helps develop focus. The paper has pre-printed designs to make the final animals look realistic.
Pros
- Huge quantity of paper (208 sheets).
- Mess-free activity.
- Fun printed designs add character.
Cons
- Folding requires adult assistance for toddlers.
Our Ratings
Crayola My First Finger Paint
Classic Art Fun
Finger painting is a rite of passage for every toddler. This Crayola kit is designed for children as young as 12 months, focusing on safety and washability.
It includes four tubes of paint (red, yellow, blue, green) and 10 sheets of glossy paper that won’t soak through immediately. The paint texture is thick and satisfying to squish, providing excellent sensory input.
The best part? It washes off skin and clothes easily. The tubes prevent the paint from drying out, unlike open jars.
Pros
- Safe for 12 months+.
- Washes off very easily.
- Tubes minimize waste and drying.
Cons
- Paper comes folded, creating creases that can tear when wet.
Our Ratings
GiBot Finger Crayons
Crayon Meets Stacking Toy
Are they crayons or building blocks? Actually, they are both. GiBot crayons have a hollow base, allowing toddlers to put them on their fingertips like puppets or stack them like Legos.
This shape is brilliant for toddlers who haven’t mastered a proper pencil grip yet. It forces a palm grasp that is natural for their development.
Made with non-toxic ingredients, these are safe and durable. They are much harder to snap than a standard stick crayon.
Pros
- Doubles as a stacking toy.
- Very hard to break.
- Easy for small hands to manipulate.
Cons
- Can be hard to color with at first due to a protective coating.
Our Ratings
Stockmar Beeswax Crayons
All-Natural Fun
If you want the “Cadillac” of crayons, look no further. Made in Germany, Stockmar crayons are composed of beeswax and natural pigments.
They are free from heavy metals and toxins, making them a safer choice for toddlers who still taste their toys. The block shape is practically indestructible and covers large areas of paper quickly.
The color payoff is vibrant and translucent, allowing for beautiful blending that standard wax crayons can’t achieve. They come in a sturdy tin for safekeeping.
Pros
- 100% natural beeswax ingredients.
- Vibrant, high-quality pigment.
- Block shape is easy to hold and hard to break.
Cons
- Price point is higher than standard brands.
Our Ratings
Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pads
Best Sticker Set
Stickers are great, but sticker residue on your coffee table is not. These Melissa & Doug pads use “static cling” style vinyl stickers. They stick to the glossy pages (and windows!) but peel off without leaving any sticky gunk behind.
This bundle includes two massive pads: Habitats and Vehicles. Your child can place a lion in the jungle or a car on the road, then move them around to tell a new story.
They are fantastic for fine motor skills. While rated for 3+, many parents introduce them earlier under supervision since the vinyl pieces are not paper and won’t tear easily.
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, BCPros
- No sticky residue.
- Reusable on windows and glass.
- Huge variety of scenes and characters.
Cons
- Cling stickers don’t stick well to regular paper or clothes.
Our Ratings
Cameron Frank Dauber Dawgs
Fun Alternative to Regular Markers
Think of these as Bingo markers for kids. Dot markers are incredibly satisfying for toddlers because they can stamp color onto the page with a simple banging motion, no fine control required.
The Dauber Dawgs set includes eight washable colors and activity sheets. They are non-toxic and non-leaking.
The large barrel is easy to grab. Creating art with dots helps children learn about spacing and patterns. Just be sure to supervise the caps, which can be small.
Pros
- Easy “stamp” action requires little coordination.
- Washable ink.
- Large barrel fits small hands.
Cons
- Paper can get soggy if the child dots the same spot repeatedly.
Our Ratings
Alex Jr. Tots Art Start
Perfect for a Rainy Day
If you don’t know where to begin, this all-in-one kit is the answer. Designed for toddlers 18 months and up, it contains everything needed for six distinct projects.
It includes peel-and-stick collages, which means no messy glue is required. Your child can decorate paper giraffes and trees using the included stickers, crinkly paper, and large crayons.
It introduces toddlers to mixed media, combining textures and colors. It makes for a perfect rainy day activity box.
Pros
- Complete kit with no extra purchases needed.
- Peel-and-stick means no glue mess.
- Introduces various textures.
Cons
- Once the projects are done, the kit is finished (consumable).
Our Ratings
Crayola Palm Grip Crayons
Best Crayons for Little Hands
These egg-shaped crayons fit perfectly into the palm of a toddler’s hand. Because toddlers naturally grab things with a fist, this ergonomic design allows them to make marks on paper without frustration.
The set includes six bright colors. They are solid wax, so there are no tips to snap off.
They are AP-certified non-toxic and washable. The rounded shape also makes them difficult to swallow, adding a layer of safety.
Pros
- Ergonomic egg shape for fist grippers.
- Solid design resists breakage.
- Washable.
Cons
- Hollow interior makes them lighter but potentially less durable if stepped on.
Our Ratings
FAQs
When Should I Start Art With My Toddler?
You can introduce art supplies as early as 12 to 18 months. Start with simple activities like finger painting or chunky crayons, always under close supervision.
What Art Materials Are Safe For Children?
Stick to products labeled “non-toxic” and look for the AP (Approved Product) seal. Avoid solvent-based markers, dust-creating chalks, or instant glues.
What Shapes Should a 2-Year-Old Draw?
At age two, most children draw vertical lines, horizontal lines, and circular scribbles. Don’t expect perfect squares or triangles until they are closer to age four.
Can 2-Year-Olds Use Acrylic Paint?
No, acrylic paint is not recommended for toddlers. It contains pigments that may not be safe for ingestion and it is water-resistant when dry, making it very difficult to wash off skin and clothes.
What Crayons Are Best For Toddlers?
The best crayons are thick, short, or egg-shaped to prevent breaking. Beeswax or washable wax crayons are ideal because they require less pressure to leave a mark.
How Do I Organize My Kid’s Toys and Art Supplies?
Use clear bins or tackle boxes to keep supplies separated. Store messy items (like paints and glue) on a high shelf that requires your help to access, while keeping paper and crayons accessible for independent play.
What Is the Difference Between Washable and Non-Toxic?
“Non-toxic” means the ingredients are safe if ingested or touched. “Washable” refers to how easily the pigment cleans off skin and fabric. Always look for both labels for the best toddler experience.
How Do I Set Up an Art Space for a Toddler?
Choose a surface that is easy to wipe down, like a plastic table or a high chair tray. Put a splash mat or old shower curtain on the floor, and dress your child in an old t-shirt or smock before starting.
