Non-Toy Gift Guide: 25 Arts and Crafts Gifts for Kids They’ll Actually Love
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mum, it’s that arts and crafts gifts for kids are a brilliant way to spark their imagination and create lasting memories. Mimi and Lou are huge fans of anything creative – our house is practically overflowing with paint splatters, glitter specks, and masterpieces proudly displayed on every surface. From our monthly artist themes to spur-of-the-moment crafting sessions, these activities aren’t just fun; they’re where the magic happens – conversations, giggles, and so much learning.
This guide is inspired by those moments. I’ve rounded up some of the best arts and crafts gift ideas that have kept my girls entertained and brought us closer as a family. If you’re looking for thoughtful, creative gifts that your kids will actually use, you’re in for a treat. Let’s get started!
Let your little ones explore their artistic side with this fun wooden stamp activity set. It includes 26 stamps featuring butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and ladybirds, perfect for creating bug-themed pictures. The set also comes with two vibrant colored ink pads to make stamping even more exciting!
This set includes 32 high-quality cyanotype papers and a stabilizing plastic tool to keep your designs in place. Made from durable wood pulp, these papers are washable and easy to use: just expose them to sunlight for 5-15 minutes, rinse, and dry to reveal beautiful, sunprint artwork. Perfect for kids and adults alike!
Get ready for vibrant colours and easy application with Blue Squid’s face paint crayons. These waterproof, non-toxic crayon sticks glide smoothly on the skin and are 30% longer than most brands, providing hours of durable wear. Perfect for over 100 uses, they’re great for parties, events, and creative play. Safe for sensitive skin, they’re paraben-free and fragrance-free, easily cleaned with a makeup remover or soapy washcloth.
Create stunning pictures featuring lions, horses, whales, and more using 100+ foam stickers, colorful foil sheets, 10 picture canvases, googly eyes, and an easy-to-follow instruction manual. No glue, no mess – just hours of artistic exploration that helps develop key skills like hand-eye coordination and creative expression.
Crayola Colours of the World includes 24 coloured pencils specially designed to represent the skin tones of people around the globe. These shades allow children to draw themselves, their families, and friends with added realism and detail. The pencils are eco-sustainable, made from wood sourced from renewable plantations.
These versatile window markers are perfect for decorating any surface, from windows and chalkboards to glass, ceramic, and whiteboards. They provide all the vibrant colour of traditional chalk without the mess. The high-quality, quick-drying ink is highly pigmented and non-toxic, ensuring safe use for children. Available in 8 bright shades, these markers have reversible bullet and chisel tips that let you create detailed or bold designs with ease. Cleanup is a breeze too—just use a damp cloth to wipe away any marks for a smear-free finish.
Add a splash of colour to your family’s creativity with this rainbow masking tape set! Featuring 7 bright colours (red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple), it’s perfect for kids’ crafts and DIY fun with parents. The tape is easy to tear by hand, writable for labels or notes, and sticks securely to surfaces like walls and tiles without leaving a mess. Made from eco-friendly crepe paper, it’s durable, repositionable, and great for little hands to explore their artistic side. For delicate projects like watercolour art, gently warm the tape for easy removal. A fun and practical tool for parents and kids alike!
Enjoy quality family time with this All-In-One DIY Candle Making Kit, perfect for parents and kids! With pre-measured soy wax blocks, colourful dyes, fragrance oils, tins, wicks, and simple instructions, it’s easy to create beautiful candles together.
Safe, eco-friendly, and beginner-friendly, this kit is a fun way for children to explore creativity while learning new skills. Each candle burns for over 12 hours, making it a rewarding activity you’ll all enjoy. Perfect for rainy days, family crafts, or thoughtful handmade gifts!
Explore creativity and history with this Professional Paper Making Kit, designed for fun, family-friendly craft sessions. The kit includes everything you need – pre-made pulp, a sturdy wooden frame, colourful dry flowers, and easy-to-follow instructions – making it simple for parents and kids to create unique, handmade paper together.
Introduce children to ancient papermaking techniques while customising with paints, inks, or pressed flowers. Perfect for sparking imagination, learning history, and creating one-of-a-kind crafts that are eco-friendly and educational!
Dive into creativity with The Very Hungry Caterpillar Aqua Magic Set, a mess-free wonder for little artists! Using just water and the included Magic Pen, kids can watch vibrant colours appear and disappear, allowing for endless reuse and fun.
This engaging set also features a water colouring book that brings Eric Carle’s beloved classic to life through interactive illustrations and activities. Perfect for sparking imaginative play, it combines storytelling with artistic exploration – all without the mess. A must-have for young book lovers and budding creators!
Bring vibrant creativity to your kids’ crafts with Coloured Dot Stickers in 15 brilliant shades, including red, blue, gold, and silver. These dots are perfect for imaginative art projects.
Safe for little hands, these stickers are easy to peel and remove without leaving sticky residue. Plus, you can write on them with pens, pencils, or markers, making them an ideal tool for creative play, educational activities, and family crafting sessions. Perfect for parents and kids to enjoy hours of artistic fun together!
Life doesn’t have to be messy with Crayola Color Wonder! These mess-free markers allow for creative fun without the cleanup. The unique Color Wonder inks only appear on the special Color Wonder Paper, not on skin, clothing, or furniture. Whether you’re crafting with your kids or joining in the painting adventure yourself, this set is designed to inspire creativity in a stress-free environment. This complete set includes a Magic Light Brush Unit, 6 Color Wonder Paints, and 18 blank Color Wonder paper sheets.
The SOQKEEN Silicone Painting Mat is a reusable, eco-friendly tool perfect for kids’ craft sessions. Made from high-quality food-grade silicone, it provides a non-stick, non-slip surface that’s easy to clean and keeps paints, glue, and other materials from making a mess.
Get ready for mess-free creativity with this white kids’ art smock! Perfect for arts and crafts sessions, this durable smock protects your little ones’ clothes while they paint, glue, or get hands-on with their creative projects. The adjustable neck and back provide a comfortable fit, and it’s lightweight enough for kids to move around freely. Plus, since it’s white, why not embrace the rainbow mess as part of the design? Whether they’re working with paints, markers, or clay, this smock keeps them clean and ready to unleash their artistic potential.
This square weaving loom invites kids to explore creative thinking by making elegant arts and crafts such as rugs, coasters, wall art, and doll clothes. It’s easy to use with pre-stretched warp yarn, making it perfect for beginners.
The Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad offers over 35 pieces to inspire creativity in kids. It includes fashion and horse-themed tracing sheets, a graphite pencil, and 12 coloured pencils. The powerful LED lighting and nonslip frame make tracing easy and fun, even in brightly lit rooms.
The Original Buddha Board offers a calming, mindful experience that encourages creativity and inner peace. Simply fill the container with water, moisten the bamboo brush, and watch as your child’s artwork slowly fades away as it dries – teaching the Zen philosophy of living in the present moment. This eco-friendly tool, made with 100% recyclable materials, allows kids to paint with just water, without ink or chemicals, so parents don’t have to worry about stains.
Shuttle Art’s 20-pack pastel tempera paint sticks are perfect for kids’ arts and crafts sessions, offering a diverse range of soft pastel colors to ignite their creativity. These paint sticks are easy to use – simply uncap, twist, and start creating without the need for water or brushes. They dry quickly in just 90 seconds, so there’s no smudging or mess to worry about – ideal for keeping little hands and surfaces clean.
Transform creative ideas into mesmerizing marbling masterpieces with the Paint Pop Marbling Art Craft Kit. This fully featured kit includes everything needed to learn and master the centuries-old technique of marbling art – mixing tray, marbling powder, spoon, 12 vibrant paint colours, 3 stirrers, a spatula, dropper, 10 sheets of paper, and an instruction manual.
This vibrant set is perfect for introducing children to the world of origami. It includes 8 practice sheets and 144 double-sided origami papers featuring 72 unique and colourful patterns (2 sheets of each design).
Whether creating simple or more complex designs, kids will enhance their fine motor skills and creativity while having a blast.
Perfect for little hands, this easy-to-use punch effortlessly creates fun, star-shaped embellishments that let kids add a touch of magic to their arts and crafts projects.
Ideal for sparking creativity and enhancing fine motor skills, it’s the perfect tool for young crafters!
A Canvas for Creativity! Give the gift of endless possibilities with quality watercolour paper. Perfect for little artists, this sturdy paper is made to handle all their colourful brushstrokes and watery masterpieces. From delicate washes to bold splashes, it’s the ideal companion for budding imaginations. Let their creativity shine, one masterpiece at a time!
Introduce your little ones to the joy of crafting with a pair of safety scissors! With a fun animal print design, easy-grip chunky handles, and safety-conscious metal blades, these scissors are perfect for budding crafters. A must-have for art projects, they make cutting both safe and fun for tiny hands!
With different sizes, these brushes are perfect for exploring various painting techniques. The bright colours not only add fun but also help kids learn and match primary colours, turning every painting session into a playful learning experience. Perfect for arts and crafts projects!
Safe, vibrant, and easy to clean, these paints let your child’s imagination run wild without the worry of mess. From bold masterpieces to tiny handprints, it’s the gift that keeps giving – fun for them and peace of mind for you!
Choosing gifts that inspire creativity and connection can make a world of difference in your child’s playtime. Arts and crafts gifts are more than just fun – they nurture imagination, build confidence, and create lasting memories for the whole family.
If you found this guide helpful, I’d love to hear your thoughts! What artsy treasures have your little ones enjoyed the most? Share your favourites in the comments below – I’d love to add them to our list!
Don’t forget to save this post on Pinterest for your gift planning and follow me on Instagram for more intentional parenting tips, creative activity ideas, and fun glimpses into our family life. Together, let’s make playtime magical and meaningful!
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