Drawing for Kids
Children between the ages of six and 12 years old will benefit greatly from arts and crafts 
, especially drawing. Not only is it an easy art form to master compared to other mediums, but new products and innovations from companies like Crayola have made drawing virtually mess-free. Drawing supplies are great to give to children as gifts and since they are relatively inexpensive, they are easy to integrate into after-school activities. Because drawing allows children to express themselves and to develop a new skill, basic supplies are always a safe bet, especially when you don't know the child that well. Here are some pointers as to what art supplies children should have depending on their age.
Preschool and Kindergarten
Primary School
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- They will love pastels , which are colorful, easy to use and great for blending. It can be messy, but, in addition to watercolor paints , it's a fun medium for kids to try out if they like art
- Pencil sets , whether colored or watercolor and a sketch pad are great for kids ages six and up as well.
- Child safe markers are an option as long as the child is at an age where he or she know how to treat art supplies, e.g. not leaving caps off markers so that they dry out.
- "How-to" books are a great inspiration. Cartooning, portrait drawing, animal figures, dinosaurs, etc... Here are a few examples:
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Middle School and Older
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- An aspiring artist will enjoy charcoal ,graphite or watercolor pencils ,colored pens and fine tip markers .
- Art technique books and detailed "how-to" books are very helpful for kids with a background in art and an interest in taking their work a step further.
- Quality paper is a must for all drawing endeavors. The best type to get will be spiral bound with perforations. It makes it easier to draw and discard or save a picture. The heavier the paper, the better, especially if the child will use markers, pastels or watercolor pencils.
- Watercolor paper can be accompanied by a set of watercolor pencils to make a great gift.
- Any kid who has a lot of talent or a serious interest in drawing will enjoy art supplies that really tap into his or her interests. Some kids are into realistic portrait drawing, while others love Manga, fantasy, geometric and 3D drawing -- the list is endless. The bottom line is, gear purchases towards these interests.
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Drawing Games and Gift Ideas
Looking for a gift for your budding artist? Or maybe you just want to find some fun drawing games to play. No matter what you choose to pick up, remember to determine what type of art your child likes first and what medium they feel comfortable drawing with- this way you know that you won't be wasting your money on supplies they won't use. Have fun with these gifts and happy drawing!
Related Guides
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Arts and Crafts Whether your child is into pottery or beadwork , make sure you have all of the supplies to help them get started! |
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Gifts for Artistic People From paintings to brush sets , if you are buying gifts for an artist, there are a number of things you can purchase. |
Painting for Kids If your child is into painting instead of drawing, pick up some kid-friendly paint sets and canvases to help them work on their skills. |
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