PVA glue
The classic school glue: washable, dries clear and sticks paper, card and lightweight bits. Glue sticks are tidier for younger children.
Shop nowCraft guide
Kids' craft supplies
A well-stocked craft box is a lifesaver on a wet half-term afternoon. Here's what to fill it with, and what to check on the label.
Children don't need expensive supplies to make brilliant things. Loo-roll tubes, cereal boxes and egg boxes from the recycling, plus a box of basics, will fuel hours of making. The trick is to keep the box stocked with things they can use independently, and keep messier or trickier items for when you're around to help.
Craft kits are useful for birthdays and long car journeys, because everything is in one box with instructions.
Supplies to look for
Ready-mix paint
Thick, bright poster paint in squeezy bottles. Look for washable formulas and add an apron or an old shirt to the box.
Shop nowChildren's scissors
Rounded tips, a size to suit small hands, and left-handed versions if needed. Some come with spring-assisted handles for toddlers.
Shop nowPom-poms, pipe cleaners & googly eyes
The magic trio for making creatures and characters. Buy mixed tubs rather than separate colours.
Shop nowAir-dry clay
No kiln or oven needed: models harden over a day or two and can then be painted. Good for handprint keepsakes and little pots.
Shop nowCraft kits
Themed kits (fairy gardens, sticker mosaics, slime labs, sewing kits) make easy presents. Check the age range on the box.
Shop nowBuying tips
- Keep a wipe-clean tablecloth or a cheap shower curtain in the craft box for instant mess protection.
- Decant glitter into a lidded shaker, or swap it for sequins and stickers, which are much easier to clear up.
- Rotate supplies: putting some things away for a few weeks makes them exciting again.
- Glue guns and craft knives are for grown-ups. Low-temperature glue guns with adult supervision are an option for older children.
- Label containers with pictures as well as words so younger children can tidy up themselves.
Good to know in the UK
Check the markings: toys and craft kits sold in Great Britain should carry a UKCA or CE mark and an age warning where relevant. Kits with small parts are often marked as unsuitable for children under 36 months. Follow the age guidance on the packaging, and always supervise younger children.
School holidays, half-term and inset days are prime craft-kit time, so it's worth stocking up on basics like PVA and paper before term ends.
Explore more crafts
Paper & Cardmaking
Knitting & Crochet
Sewing & Quilting
Painting & Drawing
Jewellery Making
Scrapbooking
Cricut, Cutting Machines & Vinyl
Candle & Soap Making
Resin Crafts
Embroidery & Cross-Stitch
Seasonal Crafts
Craft Storage
Just starting out? Read the beginners' guide or pick a weekend project.