20 Gifts for the Budding Artist

My kids love art. The medium doesn't matter, they are just happiest when they are creating. As I think about the holidays I know that a majority of gifts that I give the kids this year will be art related. I wanted to share some of our favorite and most wanted gifts for a budding artist. All of these items are gender neutral and perfect for the little art lover in your life.

A good place to start is an art kit like this Darice 120 piece Deluxe Art Kit which contains  markers, pencils, pastels, and watercolors in one convenient case. A set like this enables kids to experiment with a variety of media. I love how there is a place for everything!

If you are looking to get some supplies bundled with paper then you'll love this Melissa & Doug Deluxe Drawing Set. We own everything included in the set and my kids use these supplies again and again.

One of my daughter's favorite gifts has been a Kids Sketch Book. Having a sketch book makes her feel like a real artist, plus all of her drawings get contained in one place. I love this book because it has 12x12 pages which really give a child plenty of room to be creative.

This Classic Doodler has a been a favorite toy in our house for years. It gives kids the opportunity to create art anywhere. Since the pictures of this get erased, we take a photo of drawings that the kids wish to save.

A Travel Doodle will keep your child creating even on the road. We have used this on long car rides and because it works with water, the car stays mess free.

This Melissa & Doug Easel is wonderful for experimenting with paint. Easel painting also develops arm and shoulder muscles which help with writing. We own two easels and keep one indoors and one outdoors. Painting outdoors is a whole new experience as it allows the kids to be inspired by the sights and sounds of nature.

If space is an issue, then this Magnetic Tabletop Easel is just the thing. Children can still experience the benefits of easel painting on an easel that is easy to store and move. I love how this easel has a chalkboard on the other side which extends the creative possibilities.

If your child will be painting, then they will need some supplies. No-Spill Paint Cups and Brushes are a must. This set features everything you need. I love the cups because the covers keep paint from drying out.

This Crayola Liquid Tempera Paint - Set of 12 contains all the colors you need to get you started. We often mix colors together to create new ones, and with these 12 colors the possibilies of colors you can create are endless.

Finger paint is fun for kids of all ages. Our favorite finger paint is this Crayola Fingerpaint.

This one is more a gift for parents. If your child loves art then you know mess is inevitable. Minimize it with this Artist Apron. I am big fan of long sleeved smocks and aprons for my kids and they can sometimes be hard to find.

This Texture Painting Set contains 5 texture tools that allow kids to experiment with paint, patterns and textures.

This Early Learning Giant Busy Box has everything you child can dream of to create some artsy projects. There is enough here to make 16 projects or the items can be used separately for even more possibilities.

In addition to owning this Do a Dot Marker Set, we have given plenty as gifts. I remember playing with bingo markers as a kid, but these come in a variety of colors. With this set, you don't have to worry about spills or brushes. All the fun is self contained.

OK, I am a bit biased here. I love anything that comes in a barrel - fun, monkeys and now crafts. The Colossal Barrel of Crafts contains, pom poms, feathers, beads, googly eyes, crafts sticks and more. On rainy days I love getting these supplies out and just letting my little artists create.

Spin art is always popular with kids and with this Fantastic Spinner they can create their own designs at home. Love that it requires no batteries. We often use ours to make one of a kind cards.

The best part about this Discovery Kids Cardboard Color and Play House? After decorating it, the kids get to play inside. There is enough white space on the house that kids can really personalize it with their own designs.

If you have the space and are looking for an item that will last for years to come this Young Artist Studio Super Art Table is perfect for any art project your budding artist can conjure up. It comes with two benches so you can have some art play dates. The plastic cups and storage are great for art supplies.

This Step2 Deluxe Art Master Desk has plenty of storage for supplies and is a great dedicated space for the art lover in your life. It even has a push button light for those evening art sessions.

Now that you have all your art supplies, your child will need somewhere to store all their artwork. The Early Learning Art Portfolio holds papers up to 12" x 18" and its expandable pockets allow for easy sorting.

Well there you have it, 20 Gifts for the Budding Artist. What was your favorite art supply when you were a kid? Let me know in the comments. Mine were oil pastels. We got to use them occasionally in art class and they always made me feel like a real artist.