Arts and crafts gifts for kids are always one of our top choices. As we always tell our relatives, our kids can never have too many art supplies. (And not just the relatives who buy them slightly scary talking toys.) These arts and crafts gifts should appeal to grade schoolers and tweens who have outgrown the washable markers and preschool crayons and are onto bigger, better, and probably, messier.
doodle craft craft box subscription
($16.95/mo for 3-month subscription with discounts for longer subscriptions at Kiwi Crate)
Kiwi Crate has been pleasing parents since we first discovered them a few years back, and wow! They’ve grown from simple craft subscription boxes for little kids to this cool new offering just for older kids. Fabulous gift.
diy wooden peg doll kit
($28 at Cool Mom Picks Indie Shop)
Let your kid paint your own family–then get ready to show your therapist. Ha.
crayola virtual design pro / car collection
($22.99 at Target)
Our kids were obsessed with the original My Fashion Show app from Crayola that combined hands-on creativity with digital coolness. Now there’s a whole new kit, complete with everything you need to design your dream car. So cool.
paper bots: 20 easy to make robots
($11.36 at Amazon)
Robots are cool. Always. Making robots, even cooler.
decorate your own kokeshi doll kit
($26.99 at Seedling)
Seedling makes so many super cool craft kits (literally, like hundreds) and we love this new Kokeshi Doll kit that our daughters are clamoring for.
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diy pocket pup stitch kit
($20 at Cool Mom Picks Indie Shop)
If you’ve got a sewer on your hands, our webshop has little stitch kits so kids can make their own puppies, rabbits, and dinosaurs. We’re still waiting for hedgehogs.
original colorforms set
($30 at uncommon goods)
Yes! The original one! Feel free to borrow it.
caran d’ache set of 30 pastels
($44.36 at Amazon)
Nothing tells a kid you support their artistic aspirations like a fresh set of gorgeous, professional quality art supplies.
gift certificate to kids’ makerbot class
($ varies at MakerBot)
It’s a new world, and creating isn’t always done with a pen and paper. Send your kid to a MakerBot class if you’re lucky enough to have one of these 3-D printing storefronts near you.
model car kit: revell 1:25 69 camaro Z/28
($17.55 at Amazon)
We can think of a few grandpas–and grandmas–who’d love to sit down with the kids to make model cars.
design your own super hero cape set
($25 at Amazon)
Our favorite superheroes? Super Josh. Star Girl. Pony Master. Super Flame Throwing Woman.
All gift ideas have been editorially chosen by our staff; there is no compensation in exchange for recommendations. CMP is an Amazon and reward style affiliate partner. Discount codes expire 12/31/14.
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