7 Art Supply Kits For Home Schooling Families

Setting up a dedicated art space can transform a kitchen table from a chaotic meal-prep zone into a hub for focused learning. Selecting the right supplies ensures children stay engaged while minimizing the cleanup burden for parents. These seven kits offer varying levels of complexity, durability, and storage utility for any homeschooling environment.

Crayola Inspiration Art Case: Great for All Ages

When a homeschool curriculum suddenly shifts from history to visual arts, having an all-in-one station is essential. The Crayola Inspiration Art Case offers a durable, portable solution that keeps markers, crayons, and colored pencils organized in molded trays. It works well for families living in smaller apartments where dedicated craft desks are not feasible.

The case acts as its own storage unit, which helps keep materials off the floor and away from younger siblings. While the quality is standard student-grade, the convenience of having everything snapped into place makes it a reliable entry point. It reduces the likelihood of lost caps or scattered wax crayons throughout the living room.

Bottom line: This is the go-to choice for families prioritizing portability and quick cleanup over professional-grade pigment quality.

Melissa & Doug Easel: For the Budding Painter

For families with enough floor space to accommodate a vertical station, a double-sided easel encourages creativity and motor skill development. The Melissa & Doug models often include a dry-erase board and a chalkboard, offering a multi-purpose tool for both art projects and spelling practice. This turns the art station into a functional part of the daily classroom routine.

Because these easels can be folded, they fit reasonably well in corners or closets when not in use. However, consider the footprint required for the child to stand comfortably while working. A messy painting session may also require a protective drop cloth or mat underneath to save hardwood or carpeted floors.

Bottom line: Invest in an easel if the priority is active, large-scale creation and there is adequate room for a permanent or semi-permanent fixture.

Faber-Castell Essentials: Quality Drawing Tools

As children mature, moving from mass-produced crayons to higher-quality drawing tools often improves engagement and technique. Faber-Castell is known for consistent pigment flow and sturdy pencils that do not snap under light pressure. These kits provide a tactile upgrade that makes drawing feel more like a serious artistic pursuit.

Using professional-grade materials helps children understand the difference between basic classroom tools and specialized art supplies. The tradeoff is the higher price point compared to standard school supplies. Ensure that a proper sharpener is kept with these kits, as inferior sharpeners can waste expensive wood-cased pencils.

Bottom line: Choose this for older children who are ready to develop nuanced skills in shading, blending, and line work.

Kid Made Modern Library: For Creative Crafting

Homeschooling often requires interdisciplinary projects, such as building a model of a historical landmark or creating dioramas for science. The Kid Made Modern Library provides a massive assortment of felt, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, and wooden shapes. It is less of a drawing kit and more of an engineering box for young creators.

The sheer variety of tactile materials encourages open-ended play rather than following a rigid template. Be aware that this kit generates a significant amount of small debris during use. Keeping a small handheld vacuum or a designated “craft dustpan” nearby helps maintain order during intense sessions.

Bottom line: This kit is perfect for tactile learners and those who enjoy messy, hands-on, multi-media construction.

U.S. Art Supply 162-Piece Set: A Complete Kit

Large, comprehensive sets are excellent for middle-grade students who want to experiment with multiple mediums without buying individual tubes of paint or charcoal. The 162-piece U.S. Art Supply set covers everything from oil pastels to acrylics in a single wooden case. It provides an impressive variety that makes a home feel like a professional studio.

The primary challenge with these large sets is maintaining the organization of the components. Once the original plastic inserts crack or tear, the wooden box can quickly become a disorganized jumble. Use small, clear plastic bins to house specific items if the original packaging begins to fail over time.

Bottom line: Ideal for the serious student who wants a wide variety of tools but needs a single, comprehensive storage solution.

Crayola Colossal Tub: Best for Multiple Kids

When multiple siblings are working on projects simultaneously, individual kits often lead to arguments over who has the green marker. The Colossal Tub removes the stress of sharing by providing an abundance of standard, reliable supplies. It is the most economical way to keep a small classroom stocked for the entire school year.

While it lacks the refined tools of professional sets, it offers unmatched durability for younger children who are still learning to cap markers correctly. The tub itself is sturdy and stackable, making it a dream for those with limited shelving space in a garage or utility room. It is the workhorse of the home classroom.

Bottom line: This is the budget-friendly, high-volume choice for families who prioritize quantity and shared access.

Arteza Watercolor Set: For Focused Paint Lessons

Watercolor painting is a staple of many homeschooling curriculums, but low-quality paints can leave children feeling frustrated by muddy colors. Arteza sets are highly regarded for their pigment density and vibrant results. A dedicated watercolor set allows for precise lessons on color theory and light application.

Because these sets are compact, they store easily in desk drawers or on bookshelves. Remind children that quality paints require clean brushes and a change of water between colors to prevent pigment contamination. This introduces the habit of proper equipment care, a crucial life skill for young artists.

Bottom line: Opt for this when the objective is skill-building in specific artistic mediums rather than general craft play.

Keeping Your Art Supplies Tidy: Storage Tips

Effective storage is the difference between a project being a pleasure or a chore. Use clear, stackable plastic containers for loose items like brushes, glue sticks, and scissors to see what is missing at a glance. Labeling bins with photos or text helps children learn to return items to their proper homes, fostering independence.

Vertical storage is a lifesaver in smaller homes. Consider over-the-door organizers or wall-mounted pegboards to keep supplies off the main work surface. Keeping the most frequently used items at eye level while storing delicate or specialized paints higher up prevents accidental spills.

Bottom line: Always prioritize visibility and accessibility to ensure supplies are actually used rather than just stored away.

Matching the Kit to Your Child’s Age Group

Selecting the right kit depends heavily on the child’s developmental stage. Toddlers and preschoolers need non-toxic, chunky tools that are easy to grip, such as the Crayola Colossal Tub. Pushing for high-end charcoal or delicate paints too early often leads to unnecessary frustration and waste.

For elementary schoolers, focus on kits that offer a range of mediums, like the Kid Made Modern Library or the Inspiration Art Case. Once children enter middle school, they typically benefit from more specialized kits like the Faber-Castell Essentials or Arteza sets. Always observe how the child treats their materials; if they are still struggling with basic cleanup, wait on more expensive, specialized investments.

Bottom line: Match the equipment to the child’s maturity level to maximize engagement and minimize the destruction of supplies.

Refilling Your Kit: What to Buy Individually

No kit remains perfectly stocked forever, and replacing individual items is far cheaper than buying a new set. Keep a running list of high-use items—such as black markers, white paper, and glue sticks—and replenish them in bulk. Buying these staples at the end of the traditional “back-to-school” season often yields the best value.

Avoid replacing specific tools from a set with cheap, incompatible alternatives, as this can affect the quality of the work. If a specific brush or pastel is a favorite, upgrade that single item rather than buying another full kit. This approach builds a customized, high-quality collection over time that truly fits the specific needs of the homeschool household.

Bottom line: Buy bulk staples, but invest in individual replacements for high-quality items to maintain the integrity of the studio.

Building an art supply collection for your home classroom is an investment in your children’s creative development. By selecting kits based on the realities of your space, budget, and the age of your students, you create a sustainable system that serves your family for years. Remember that the best tools are the ones that actually get used, so prioritize accessibility and maintenance as much as the initial purchase.