Best Arts & Crafts Supplies for Toddlers

Jun 5

Crafts are often thought of as activities for older kids, but crafts are skill-building opportunities for babies and toddlers, too!

There are so many benefits to arts and crafts.

Crafts encourage creativity and imagination, foster fine motor development, and support language development. Crafts can turn into independent play and exploration for your little ones. The possibilities are endless!

We pulled together our favorite arts & crafts supplies for toddlers, and even babies can join in on the fun!

Arts crafts top toys for toddlers. Paint cups, scissors, easel, stamps, paint, smocks, and more.

This page contains affiliate links. We will receive a commission on qualifying purchases using these links.

Toddler Arts & Crafts Favorites:

Paint Cups w/Lids:
These no-spill paint cups are great for containing the mess during arts & crafts time! Painting is a great way to practice holding and manipulating a writing utensil!
Standing Easel:
Did you know writing/coloring/drawing on a vertical surface increases hand and wrist strength?! This easel is perfect for holding paper steady while your little one creates, all while strengthening their fine motor muscles!
Honeysticks:
These short, safe, and chunky crayons are great for first coloring activities. Work on holding the crayons with thumb towards the paper and making 1-2 scribbles on the paper. Start using around 12 months!
Cupkin Sticker Book:
Work on fine motor strength and coordination, as well as bilateral coordination (using two hands together) by peeling and placing stickers on a piece of paper. If your little one needs help, begin to peel the sticker then hand it back to them and see if they can finish pulling the sticker off of the pad. Great for 2+ years.
Training Scissors:
Toddlers (3+ years) are ready to practice using scissors, and these are a great first option! Practice making snips in smaller pieces of paper so it is easier for your little one to manipulate.
Art Smocks:
Keep these smocks with your crafts to help keep your little one’s body and clothes mess-free while they are getting their hands sticky and colorful. These are also a great way to sneak in some dressing skills as your little one practices taking the smock on and off.
Non-Toxic Finger Paint:
Messy play is great for learning and sensory exploration! This brand is 100% non-toxic and edible, made with organic vegetable ingredients and free of many major allergens. So yay, mouthing safe for all ages.
Stamp Set:
Stamps are a great way to increase hand-eye coordination and fine motor strength as your little one presses them down on the ink pad and again on the paper!
Silicone Painting Mat:
Keep your painting, coloring, and glueing mess off of your table with this silicone mat. This mat provides a great visual for your little one on where their “craft area” is. It’s easy to wipe, roll up, and store away when you are finished.
Do-A-Dot Markers:
Dot markers are a great first writing tool to introduce to your little one (1+ years) since they just have to touch the marker to the paper to make a dot.
As your little one gets older, you can draw small circles on the paper and have them try to make dots inside the circles.
Doodle Mat:
The perfect mess-free option to coloring and drawing, and great for practicing isolating pointer finger.
Use water to make designs and pictures on the doodle mat, then watch the creation disappear as the water dries. Use again and again!
Jumbo Coloring Pads:
Coloring pads are great for working on coloring in the lines (or attempting to!). Practice following directions by telling your little one to “color the…,” then pause and let them find and color in the animal or item you said.