Toddler Art Supplies?

[scottishduffy]

I figured the DIS would give me the best ideas for this question. My Nephew's 2nd B-day is coming up next month and SIL has said she would some toddler art supplies for him.

I did a search on-line for some ideas (paints, big crayons, art/craft kits, chalks) and came across a lot of things.

What Art/Craft materials have you Mom's out there used and enjoyed? I am trying to find a nice kit(or assorted supplies) for $50 or less for the little guy. However I want things that will actually be easy for him to use and not too terribly messy or bothersome for mom. Something he could use more than once and be creative with.

What are the best art/craft supplies and kits for a newly 2 yr old boy? Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

My DS would spend hours with construction paper, scissors and a glue stick. He would cut little tiny pieces of paper and glue them one on top of another until he had a stack several inches high . Sam's club used to sell huge packs of construction paper-1000 sheets or something like that.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We've always liked the ALEX art supplies. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=ALEX+art+supplies

 

[Mkrop]

I would try the Crayola website. They have chunky crayons, they have those Color Wonder things that only draw on the special paper, they have clay things etc. I think you could search by age.

http://www.crayolastore.com/index.asp?.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

Just simple crayons, paper, even finger paints! I let my kiddo loose in barefeet outside with paint and a large piece of paper. We still have the artwork!

 

[LBAK]

Crayola triangular crayons, loads of paper bingo markers all colors, finger paints, roll on paints (like a deodorant bottle) found at a school supply store. I would hold off on scissors and markers if he just turned 2.

 

[janey99]

My DS is 22 months and he loves these -

http://www.dotart.com/ when he uses them, he goes "dot. dot. dot." for every dot!

plus regular markers, smelly markers (LOVES the smelly markers), crayons, paper and STICKERS of any type - animals, bugs, 3D foam stickers - he loves sticking them all over the page and then drawing all around them with markers.

He also enjoys floam and model magic "clay." He is learning to roll a ball and a snake - great for dexterity and fine motor skills.

Painting with these textured chunky brushes I found.

And, the best part of an art supply gift, the cheap shower curtain liner from the grocery store to spread out on the floor! (It can go in the wash with a towel and come out as good as new after any kind of messy craft)

Have fun shopping -

Jane

 

[Nette]

Play doh...

color wonder finger paints/markers.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

WASHABLE is key! My son loved markers better than crayons, but his preschool teachers say that crayons are better for learning those fine motor skills (you have to grip them and use firmer pressure). Crayola has chunky, triangle crayons that don't roll off onto the floor.

The other thing he has consistently loved is stickers. Look for adhesive jewels, foam stickers, adhesive eyeballs, any stickers (Grandma brings over all the free labels she gets in the mail).

He has also always liked a notebook. I started getting him inexpensive spiral notebooks when he first turned 2, and he colors in them, sticks stickers in them, gets others to write in them. He uses it until it is completely full. His attachment to the notebook surprised me, and now I wish maybe I had sprung for a nicer sketch book type book that I could hang on to.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Those dotart things someone mentioned are really popular at preschool. They use them a lot.

 

[daisyduck123]

An easel (Step 2 or Little Tikes).

http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1557

 

[Ephany]

We got DD a giant whiteboard like this http://www.staples.com/Quartet-34-x...h-Aluminum-Frame/product_598512?cmArea=SEARCH

Although it was from Costco, so it was $25ish I think. We're on our second one, they're awesome because you can draw on them and they're magnetic. We mounted it on the wall at a height where DD could sit and draw. Well worth it and since it's mounted to the wall, it doesn't take a lot of floor space.

 

[Nanu57v]

I've always gotten DD's art supplies from Discount School Supply. They have free shipping over $49, and the best prices on washable items I found. I also got her an easel from IKEA. Very inexpensive, and its held up for 3 years now. They still sell them, we just bought another. Oh, and stuff to buy: construction paper, big crayons, washable finger paint, washable tempera paint, stickers, safety scissors, paint brushes, washable watercolor, easel paper (if you get an easel),

 

[GraysMom]

It's not exactly free form art, but DS loves the paint with water books, where the water activates the dry paint on the paper. Painting inside the lines helps with fine motor control and the paint colors can be swirled together to create new colors.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

We have a travel bag of colors to take with us. Color wonders are the best invention!!!