Hellobee

I see my friend Jenny a couple times a year (we lived on opposite coasts), and she has two kids the same age as my kids. She always brings them the coolest gifts (in Korean culture it’s customary to bring a gift when you visit someone), and has introduced us to some of our favorite art-themed gifts over the years. I love art-themed gifts because the kids never need more toys, but art supplies will always be put to good use. These are some of our favorite arts and crafts themed gifts!

1) Pixel Pictures (4+) – This color by number coloring book from Mudpuppy reveals a pixelated image when finished. There are also pages where you can create your own color by number. Both my kids love this and often work on one page together. We have the robot and the princess theme, but there are many other themes as well.

2) Flip and Draw (4-9) – Another Mudpuppy winner, this book features characters on sheets cut into three strips that you can mix and match and color.

3) Boys’ Doodle Book (6+)- An instruction and accompanying illustrations on each page tells your child to doodle something. There’s a girl version as well as several other themes. Mrs. Ice Cream also did a great roundup of doodle books here!

4) Scratch and Sketch (4+) – Even the youngest kids will love these scratch and sketch notebooks that reveal rainbows under each black sheet when scratched with a wooden stylus. Available in general themes like animals and fairies, or character themes like Frozen.

5) Paint by Stickers Create 10 Pictures One Sticker at a Time (5+) –  Both my kids love this! You apply stickers one at a time corresponding to the correct number to create an image. Some of them are pretty difficult, so I think kids need to be at least 5 years old.

6) Butterflies Coloring Book – In general my kids don’t like coloring books too much, but they do love Johanna Basford’s adult coloring books. This butterflies coloring book gifted to Olive recently is another exception. She has been loving it, and now I want to check out more coloring books in the Dover series.

7) Kids’ Paper Airplane Book (5+) – I recently bought Charlie a paper airplane book, but this one that provides designed paper that takes them to the next level!

8) Biggie Tempura Cakes – My kids have been painting every day since receiving this, and I’m loving that it keeps the mess to a minimum because I don’t have to pour out tempura paint.

9) Paintbrushes – Charlie and Olive were gifted beautiful, high quality paintbrushes from Insadong in Korea. We regularly replace our paintbrushes because they get worn out, so I think it’s worth investing just a little bit more for nicer brushes that last much longer. And they’re always a useful gift!

10) Scented Markers – I’ve mentioned these several times in the past, but they remain one of my favorite gifts to give and receive. We never have enough markers and these are my kids’ favorite!

11) Alex Toys (3+) – We’ve purchased several of these Alex Toys craft kits, which are like a Kiwi Crate project. They come in a bunch of different themes for different ages, and are perfect for a rainy day!

12) Mini Sketchbook – My kids love, love, love little sketchbooks and will completely fill them with drawings. They love the size and flipping through them when they’re all full.

13) Make a Mask (4+) – Another Mudpuppy winner, color and punch out your own mask!

14) Stick and Style Blinglets (5+) – My girly girl loves all crafts like these that involve decorating something girly like bracelets, jewelry boxes, etc. with blingy stickers!

15) Magnetic Tiles (5+) – We don’t own this, but I know my kids would love it. They’re super into magnets and creating art on anything that’s tiny.

16) 10 color pen – All you need is this pen and a mini sketchbook to keep kids occupied when out and about.

17) Doodlemats (4+) – I found these brand new at a used bookstore recently. It has activities on each page that also double as a tear-out placemat. Great for keeping kids occupied when eating out!

18) Plush Animal Pencil Pouch – I don’t know about your kids but mine (4 and 6) are super into stuffed animals. So on a recent trip to Manila I purchased them animal pencil pouches that they have been loving. When we go out somewhere, they usually pack a mini sketchbook, their pencil pouch filled with markers, and a pack of Uno cards.

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Do you have any favorite arts and crafts themed gifts you like to give and receive?