There’s something magical about a Saturday afternoon spent creating art as a family. It’s a chance to bond, laugh, and express yourselves while getting a little messy. No matter if you’re sketching, painting, or crafting, collaborating on art encourages everyone to disconnect from screens, relax, and unleash their creativity. Kids learn problem-solving, patience, and self-expression while having fun. But before the creative chaos can start, it’s important to have the right supplies on hand. A well-stocked art stash ensures you’re ready for whatever masterpiece inspiration strikes. Here’s a helpful guide to the essential art supplies every family needs, along with ideas to use them in colorful ways that will make your weekends unforgettable.

1. Basic Drawing Supplies

No art supply collection is complete without a classic set of drawing tools. These essentials work as the foundation for countless art projects, from sketching silly portraits to planning out bigger creations.

What You’ll Need:

  • Pencils (regular and colored)
  • Markers (washable ones if you have little kids)
  • Crayons
  • Erasers and a pencil sharpener

Pencils and crayons are ideal for quick doodles or detailed sketches, while markers bring bold colors to any project. Remember to bring large packs of crayons and markers so everyone can experiment with shades and tones.

Fun Ideas:

  • Have a family competition to draw each other’s portraits (no judgment if the results are more hilarious than realistic!).
  • Use colored pencils to create detailed “maps” of imagined lands with mountains, forests, and seas.

2. Paper, Pads, and Canvases

Think of paper as your creative canvas. Having different types on hand gives everyone the freedom to explore different styles of art.

What You’ll Need:

  • Sketchpads or plain printer paper
  • Construction paper
  • Watercolor paper
  • Small canvases or canvas boards

Thicker paper types, like watercolor sheets or canvases, are great for wet mediums. This type of paper keeps your projects looking neat without tearing the surface.

Fun Ideas:

  • Set up a “collage station” with construction paper, old magazines, and glue for kids to make their dream worlds.
  • Use canvas boards to paint something together as a family. Each person could paint one part of a big picture.

3. Paints and Brushes

Painting is a favorite for kids of all ages, partly because it feels a little messy. That’s part of the fun! Having a variety of paints on hand means every family member can try their hand at different artistic styles.

What You’ll Need:

  • Washable tempera paint
  • Acrylic paints
  • Watercolor palettes
  • Paintbrushes

Tempera paint is ideal for little ones because it’s washable. Older kids and adults may enjoy experimenting with acrylics or creating dreamy effects with watercolors.

Fun Ideas:

  • Try splatter painting on a large piece of paper or outside with canvases. Just remember to wear old clothes!
  • Use watercolors to design homemade greeting cards or bookmarks for friends and family.

4. Scissors and Glue

Every crafter needs the basics for cutting and sticking. Scissors and glue are the magic tools for turning paper, fabric, and random household materials into creative masterpieces.

What You’ll Need:

  • Child-safe scissors
  • Glue sticks
  • Liquid glue
  • Double-sided tape

These tools are crucial for creating paper crafts, decorating projects, or simply sticking one thing to another when inspiration strikes.

Fun Ideas:

  • Cut out shapes from old magazines and make a family vision board that reflects your dreams and goals.
  • Use double-sided tape to layer paper cutouts and create fun 3D effects in your artwork.

5. Craft Supplies

Having an assortment of craft odds and ends elevates even the simplest projects. These materials are perfect for embellishing artwork or creating out-of-the-box designs.

What You’ll Need:

  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pom-poms and beads
  • Googly eyes
  • Craft sticks

Craft supplies are perfect for sparking creativity. They’re especially great for kids who love hands-on activities and want to turn their visions into tactile creations.

Fun Ideas:

  • Host a competition to see who can create the wildest animal using just pom-poms and pipe cleaners.
  • Build a popsicle stick village and paint the “houses” with fun patterns.

6. Modeling Clay or Play Dough

There’s something therapeutic about working with clay or dough. Its hands-on nature is an awesome outlet for kids who love creating things they can hold.

What You’ll Need:

  • Air-dry clay or modeling clay
  • Playdough
  • Rolling pins
  • Clay tools

Once hardened, air-dry clay can be painted, making it great for long-term projects or keepsakes. Playdough, meanwhile, is the ultimate sensory material for younger kids.

Fun Ideas:

  • Roll out clay to make small dishes, ornaments, or figurines. Once dry, paint and decorate them however you like.
  • Have a “sculpt-off” where family members create animals, foods, or imaginary creatures.

7. Stamps, Stencils, and Stickers

Sometimes, it’s fun to skip drawing or painting altogether and use ready-made designs to create beautiful art. Stamps, stencils, and stickers are perfect for this!

What You’ll Need:

  • Rubber stamps
  • Ink pads
  • Stencils
  • Sticker packs

These tools are great for kids who may feel intimidated by freehand drawing. They also add charm and whimsy to craft projects.

Fun Ideas:

  • Design wrapping paper by stamping patterns onto blank butcher paper.
  • Use stickers to decorate water bottles, notebooks, or even pre-painted canvases.

8. Aprons or Old Shirts

Art can get messy. Okay, it will get messy. Keeping aprons or old shirts saved for crafting is a simple way to minimize clean-up stress.

What You’ll Need:

  • Child-sized aprons
  • Adult aprons
  • Plastic tablecloths or reusable drop cloths

Using these tools, you'll be more into the craft without worrying about cleaning up afterward.

Fun Ideas:

  • Turn plain white aprons into art projects! Decorate them with fabric paints or markers for a double-whammy craft.
  • Keep an old sheet handy to lay under large projects, like painting murals or big clay sculptures.

9. A Storage System

With all these supplies, keeping things organized is essential to avoid chaos. A storage system will prepare your creative zone for action.

What You’ll Need:

  • Plastic bins or baskets
  • Label makers or handwritten tags
  • A drawer or cart dedicated to art supplies.

Fun Ideas:

  • Assign each family member their own storage bin for “personal projects.”
  • Use colorful labels that spark joy every time you open the art supply stash.