Setting up an art center for kids is a great way to let them express themselves! The freedom to run and grab a piece of paper and create anything, at any time, is incredibly valuable.
For most kids, the real desire to spend involved time crafting and drawing pictures hits around age four or five. Younger kids may require more supervision with the messier items. However, you know your child(ren) better than anyone, so if they are ready earlier, that’s great!
Setting Up an Art Center for Kids
You might be freaking out that it’s messy. It can get messy, honestly! Embrace the mess. It’s good for all of us to have some room for unhindered creative expression!
Along with that- have an expectation that you aren’t going to be cleaning it up by yourself, mama! Start your crafting station with just a few things out at first and practice cleaning up the station together. It takes a little practice, but your kiddos will soon be able to clean up their crafting station largely on their own.
Creative expression is a valid outlet for kids. Themed crafts have their place too, don’t get me wrong. But kids need a space where they are free to create without any rules about what colors to use, where to glue to eyes, where to cut the paper, etc!
Art is one important way children can process their feelings as well things they are learning and discovering through books, play, nature, etc.
What to Include in Your Art Center
This does not need to be a beautifully organized extravaganza of color coordinated supplies that goes viral on Instagram. In fact, it might be better if it’s not super cute because then you won’t care as much when your kids use it well! 😉
Using what you have, find a place in your house where art supplies and a kid friendly surface are going to be accessible to your child and start with the basics:
Paper
Having a wide variety of paper allows for the most creativity, and will keep them from “getting bored” as quickly.
✅ Construction paper comes in lots of colors, is affordable and colorful, and kids love it
✅ Printer paper is also affordable and especially good for drawing
✅ Heavyweight paper like poster board or watercolor paper is great for paint and heavy marker use but is expensive so you may consider limiting how much of that you keep out at once
Drawing Items
You’ll also need a few things for them to USE on their paper!
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
Advanced Crafting and Art Options
Once your kids are proficient at using those items and cleaning them up, introduce some more fun stuff:
- Markers (if they can be trusted)
- Scissors (make sure they know how to use scissors well)
- Glue (sticks)
- Tape
- Watercolor tray and brushes
At the art center together, you can show your child how to make books, bracelets, or crowns. You can practice drawing basic shapes and using those shapes to make things- like how a house! The emphasis here shouldn’t be on creating perfect projects, but equipping kids with the skills to draw what they want to.
For kids who are really eager to make specific things (like animals), I highly recommend Ed Emberly’s book on drawing animals! It’s a very well laid out “how-to” book for kids that shows them exactly HOW to draw tons of different animals, bugs, and so on!
Soon, the crafting station can also become a great alone time activity that most kids will be thrilled to spend their time engaging with!
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