Kids Art Supplies- Take Along or Stay at Home

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Creative play is an important part of childhood- but did you know that art and creativity do more then clutter your refrigerator and walls? Children who are involved in the arts are often more self- confidant, self reliant, and strongly desire success. Art helps develop fine motor skills, following directions, working well in social groups and group settings, and of course will help young children recognize shapes, colors, textures, and more. Get your child excited about art, and it will likely follow though to other school activities as well- children who participate in art and artistic endeavors are *four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, four times more likely to participate in math or science fairs, to win awards for writing, three times more likely to be elected to class office and to win awards for school attendance. Here are some great sets to help your child find his or her inner artist.

Melissa and Doug kids tabletop art easel

Crayola’s Ultimate Art Case is perfect for take along art projects, such as going visiting, traveling (keep all projects together and not strewn about the hotel room), to a restaurant, or to bring outside and draw what inspires. The Crayola Ultimate Art Supplies Case is pre-loaded with all the basic art supplies your little Picasso will desire, and keep them occupied for hours. This case has compartmentalized trays to organize art supplies, room underneath the trays for paper storage, a s well as glue, scissors, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, and more. Recommended for ages 4 and up. For more information, visit http://www.crayolastore.com

Crayola Art Box

Melissa and Doug easels are available in two sizes. If you have a larger room or space, the Deluxe Standing Wooden Art Easel is a good choice. At just the right proportions for child artists, this double-sided, adjustable-height, kid-sized art easel includes a dry-erase board, chalkboard, locking paper-roll holder, child-safe paper cutter, and four easy-grip clips to keep the paper steady. A plastic tray on each side holds the art supplies that your child prefers.

If you have less space or would like an on-the-go art easel, try the Tabletop Art Easel. Convenient and compact, this tabletop easel includes chalk, a dry-erase marker, an eraser, magnetic chalk- and dry-erase boards, plus four magnets for holding up artwork. A smaller version of the Deluxe model, it also has holes to hold cups of paint or to wash brushes. This is heavy and sturdy- so while it is portable and will last thought childhood, it is not a foldaway or collapsible easel.

For a ready to use, all in one kit that will work with either easel, or on it’s own, try the easel companion accessory set, which comes with four eight ounce bottles of poster paint, four spill-proof paint cups, four medium sized brushes, a roll of easel paper, a 10-pack of jumbo rainbow chalk, an eraser and a dry erase marker.

For more information, go to http://www.melissaanddoug.com/

Kiwi Crate is a monthly subscription service, creating art boxes for kids aged 3-7. Each month, a new box is delivered to the child, designed around a certain theme (such as dinosaurs, gardening, colors, superheros, etc) for $19.95. Each crate comes with 3 project ideas inside, as well as content available online about that month’s theme with additional, projects, books, apps, and more. These kid-tested projects cover a range of developmental areas and subjects, including art, science, imaginative play, and animals. All materials are included each month, add on’s are available.

For more information, go to http://www.kiwicrate.com

EK Success American Girl ornaments

For kids who may want a bit of a challenge or older kids- try EK Success Crafts. They come in a variety of designs, styles, options and have something for every craft enthusiast. From making their first scrapbook, to creating personalized thank you or greeting cards, holiday ornaments and decorations, jewelry making, or anything else that inspires them- EK Success has something fun for everyone and is perfect for a family project.

For more information, go to http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/

* Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-based Youth Organizations, Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998.