50+ Gifts for Children Who Love to Draw

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We are coming up on my son's sixth birthday, and therefore we need gifts for creative children who love to draw. If you're looking for gifts for your little aspiring artist, here is a great list with the best tools, books, and kits.

This is all so new to me.

Since my son was three, he has been obsessed with PJ Masks. Every birthday, every Halloween. He dressed up as his pal Gekko.

Then out of the blue, when he was about five he decided he wants to sit down and draw now.

All the time.

Can you relate? Are you drowning in used up coloring sheets, color wonder markers, and hilariously adorable pictures of reindeer?

Related: Preschool Graduation Gifts

Maybe your child's birthday is next week and you realized you still haven't gotten them a gift.

Don't worry. You've come to the right place! Sit down, scroll around, and find the perfect gift for your little creative one.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you click and buy. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

What Do You Get a Kid Who Loves to Draw?

I can't think of a better gift to give than art.

It seems like all children have a love of creating things with their hands. Some kids love drawing, like my son, others love painting, storytelling, or mud sculpting.

Find what your child loves, and watch their creativity soar.

When we first started embracing my son's creativity, we found our other children happily embraced their creative sides too. My daughter who loves reading (and not much else) was sitting down at the table and drawing right along with him.

It turns out, creativity is contagious.

Are you eager to see the creativity come out of your child too?

Here are a few necessities.

Drawing Gifts

It's good to start with the basics. My little one can sit at the table and draw until his little fingers are all of the colors in the rainbow, and even then he continues.

Turning a passion into talent takes a lot of practice, so for me it's a no brainer.

When your child loves reading, you buy them books. When they love drawing, well. There's a lot more than books that they will love.

Check out the must haves below!

Drawing Utensils

To draw, you must have things to draw with. No artist is content with the drawing medium they have, so they'll be happy with more. Here are a few you'll love.

• Artist Grade Sketching Pencils – These are a must for learning to draw, you'll go through countless pencils sketching out each drawing. With a variety of hardness levels, your little will have lots of exploring to do.
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens – These markers are my favorite. They come in lots of different colors, and two different tips. One for a crisp monoline, and the second is a large soft brush pen. This is perfect for blending, shading, and even watercoloring. They're amazing for handlettering also, and a favorite of many of the pros.

• Crayola Broad Black Markers (12 Count) – Trust me here. First off, you want some extra black markers for drawing, outlining and such. Second, you want Crayola because washable is the greatest thing ever created.
• Gel Pens (100 Count) – This one is about preference. Some kids love drawing with markers, others love pens. My daughter loves her gel pens, my son loves markers. They both will happily draw with either.

• Fineliners – These are felt tipped markers that are great for drawing small lines and being precise. I don't think this would make a good gift for a small small child, but I think it would be great for a 6 year old.
• Do-A-Dot Art– These are a unique way to do art, but also really fun and silly. You can dab a dot, and then turn that dot into a snowman, fish, or funny face.

Tools to Add In

Getting the pens, markers and pencils are great, and your little artist will love them.

With pencils, they also need erasers and pencil sharpeners.

• STAEDTLER pencil sharpener– Maybe you like a manual pencil sharpener. This one screws together so it doesn't fall apart in your hands like the cheaper ones do.
• X-Acto Electric Pencil Sharpener– This one stops when it senses the pencil is sharp.

• Faber-Castell Kneading Erasers– Kneadable erasers are known for sticking to everything in your pencil case. These will stay cleaner longer and last for a long time.
• Mr. Pen Erasers – If you want a variety of erasers, try this pack. It comes with kneadable erasers, gum erasers, and plastic erasers. This way your little can try a variety and find what they like best.

What to Draw On

There are two ways to look at this.

We could talk about the medium to draw ON, like paper, or we can talk about the tables to sit at while drawing. Both are great gifts for creative children who love to draw.

We recently got a Pahl from Ikea and it's been so awesome for three children drawing all at once.

Here are a few awesome tables you can get for lots of space, followed by the paper you'll love to have.

• Green Adjustable Activity Table – I like this one because it's child sized. So if they like to stand, or wiggle, they will still be able to reach their art, plus it's simple to wipe clean.
• Wooden Kid's Table and Chairs– This is another great option for your little artist. With tiny chairs it's the perfect size for them. Also there is a place to store a roll of paper for easy access to drawing.
• Grey Wooden Table and Chair set– I love this because it has baskets underneath for storage, and I love when things have a home.

• Hape Easel– This is created with children in mind. You'll get a magnetic, white board side (this one is my son's favorite for pulling down the paper to draw on) and a blackboard, chalk side.
• Easel Paper– To go with the new easel. We also like to use this paper on the table when we run out of his drawing paper, before new paper comes in.

Let's move on to paper:

• Strathmore Drawing Paper– This one is pretty thick, so your little will be able to draw with a heavy hand and not see any shadowing on the opposite side.
• Melissa and Doug Drawing Pad– I usually try to buy higher quality paper, but this is fantastic, even though it's meant for children. It also has a couple drawing tutorials included to help you get started.

Another great idea is to get a large pack of paper, we have a 500 page ream, like this one.

• Light Up Tracing Table– This light up pad is a unique way to create art. It comes with several sheets you can trace, as well as crayons to use with it.
• Tracing Table Carrying Case– Everything needs a home, and this is a great way to keep it safe.

How-To Books

I went to every store in my town, and the four surrounding towns to find as many drawing books as I could find.

When you look online, you'll see something that looks like it's marketed specifically to children, but the steps are INSANE.

It would just lead to children being frustrated and overwhelmed they can't draw like that.

These are books I saw for myself, they're great for little artists. Everything I found by Angela Nguyen is PERFECT. So we will start with her work.

• How to Draw Cute Stuff– This is for all things. You'll find lots and lots of examples and tutorials here, along with little tips on each page. For example, it will show you where to add motion lines to make cute horses look speedy.
• How to Draw Cute Animals– This is another great one by Angela. The steps are easy to follow and not too frustrating for little readers. It's perfect!
• How to Draw Cute Food– This is the last in this series, but I think my favorite. Food with faces is adorable.

• How to Draw People – This one is also not TOO detailed, so easy for an early artist. It is a little more advanced than the last two, but I think it will still be a favorite.
• How to Draw Pets– Kids love drawing their pets, so this is a great start to that springboard.
• How to Draw Animals-This is another from this author, and another winner. Little people love drawing animals, pets, elephants, and everything adorable.

• How to Draw 101 Animals– This one could cause a little drama if your child loves being perfect, or gives up quickly. It's a little more advanced, but if your child is having a hard time, you can turn it into a tracing book. Use thin paper and move it with each step.
• Drawing Animals Shape by Shape– I purchased this one for my son because I want him to see how many simple shapes are in every drawing. This one will require an eraser for sure, but it will help with the building blocks of drawing knowledge.
• Drawing Cartoons Letter By Letter– I did not see this one in the store, but I found it while I was researching the shape by shape book online. This book has a pretty unique spin on learning to draw, and I think it will be a great addition to any budding artists collection.

Mess Free Drawing

I want to encourage my children's creativity and watch their creative juices flow, and witness the blossoming of their lovely artistic beings.

But I do not want there to be multicolored stains on every one of my tables, walls and floors.

At the end of each day, after my son has been drawing for hours there is ALWAYS stains on the table top. Not because he draws on the table, but because his hands just graze over wet ink, and it spreads.

There's nothing he can do about it.

Messes are a part of creating art.

Before you click away and decide your child will NEVER be an artist because you can't stand the mess . . . let me introduce you to a better way.

The most mess free gifts for creative children who love to draw.

Crayola is the Best

We always had crayola growing up. My mom thought all the other brands had lead, or some other type of poison that would murder us, so unless it said crayola, we weren't allowed to have it.

Maybe the poison was all something she made up. Who knows.

What I've learned as a mom of a very creative little dude is Crayola is the greatest thing to mothers everywhere. Why? Because it's SO incredibly easy to clean up.

Remember that mess I told you about? How every day my son's drawing table is covered in a myriad of smeared colors?

It comes off every day.

I wipe it off with a wet cloth and it's gone. Ready for a new day. I couldn't believe it the first day. But there it was, a clean a table.

I let it go for a week to see what would happen.

It still came off.

Crayola was created for moms.

Here are the favorites we have:

• Super Tips – These markers are great, you can hold them at an angle at get a thick line, or hold them straight and get a finer line. Plus. Super washable!
• Fine Line– You'll find these to be a lot thinner, and better or drawing intricate details. This one even says Ultra Washable.
• Broad Line– These are the thickest markers Crayola has, and they'll be best for the smaller fingers.

You might think having all these options might overwhelm your child, but I have seen my child using a few of each size marker to complete each of his projects.

If you think these are great, let me introduce you to my BFF:

Color Wonder is the Epitome of Mess Free

I don't know how they do this. I'm sure it's some crazy chemical reaction or something, but somehow they have these markers that don't color on anything except the Color Wonder Paper.

Listen, I don't question magic, I just enjoy it.

• Color Wonder Starter Kit– This comes with 20 bold colors and 20 pastel colors to get you started and two 30-page color wonder pads. This does not have any characters to color, it's just “blank” color wonder paper.
• Color Wonder Magic Light Brush– Mess Free, and painting. How do they do it?!
• Finger Paint– Right? How do they do mess free and FINGER PAINT? It's a quick drying gel, that's how. And it comes with a sponge to clean your fingers off between use, because like real paint, it will contaminate the other colors.

Water Drawing

Water is my favorite thing to let my children paint with. We used to use those Melissa and Doug water pens to let them draw on car rides. Then if they spilled the pen, it didn't matter, it was like a teaspoon of water.

This is the same. You'll only get as much of a mess as you fill the water in whatever container they're using.

Click through to see a few of my favorite water gifts for creative children who love to draw.

• AquaDoodle-This is made for children. This could be what you want, or not what you're looking for. For us, we wanted something more “professional”.
• Buddha Board– Perhaps this is a little old for my dude, I'm not sure. I'll be looking more for a better option. It looks easy to use and maintain, and I think it would draw their attention often.

Mess Full Drawing

Nothing in this part of the list is for me. I don't like big messes, or when my son pulls the paper off the crayons and then refuses to use it again. My daughter's beautiful dresses have been ruined by rock painting.

For those of you who love messy messes, you'll have to scroll to the bottom and give me tips. Because I am too overwhelmed to deal with all of that.

Anyway! Here are some cool gifts for creative children who love to draw that are PRETTY messy.

Finger Painting

Painting with your hands legitimately makes me cringe. The mess. The squishy paint getting between their fingers. It's awful for me.

But man, do kids love it.

Perhaps this could be an outdoor adventure for us. Here are a few necessities.

• Crayola My First Finger Paint for Toddlers– You can't beat the washability of Crayola, and I find it essential for finger painting.
• Washable Project Paint– This can be used as finger paints, or it could be used as regular paint. This comes with the six rainbow colors, as well as corresponding glitter paint for each.
• Smocks – Waterproof, mess-containing, and sure to reduce the amount of scrubbing you'll have to do on their clothes after.

Painting

Maybe you want to add some regular paint, or your little doesn't love finger paint. Here is the next step up. You can still use the finger paint and use paintbrushes. Here are the tools you'll need for painting with brushes.

• Spill Proof Paint Containers– I love spill proof, washable, anything I can do to make clean up easier.
• Paint Brushes– Maybe you want a variety so they can try different types. If you wanted to buy just one, I love a round 6. They're ideal for most scenarios.
• Faber Castell Young Artist Painting Kit– I love this because it has everything you need. Brushes, some paint, paper, and a palette. Great to begin with.

Rock Painting

For these, you'll need paint that is acrylic, and not washable.

Always use protection for clothes, and never wear clothes you don't want ruined when using these paints. Lay down old newspapers, or we use the rolls of paper linked above. These will wreck tablecloths, tables, carpets, dog hair . . . everything it touches.

For the best gifts for creative children who love to draw, don't forget to think of the poor mom who has to clean up the mess left behind.

• Acrylic Paint Kit – THIS IS NOT WASHABLE. But look at all those colors. It would be great for wood, canvas and of course rocks.
• Paint Pens– These will reduce your mess because it's a marker. The colors come out bright and vibrant. Rock painting with these will give you amazing results.
• Perfect Rocks for Painting-These are great when you want to put together a gift with everything they need to start right now. They're ideally sized for great painting.

Digital Drawing Gifts

We live in a digital age, so it's no surprise you can find endless resources with tablets. Let's dive in.

Creative Gifts with a Tablet for Children

It seems like everyone has a tablet these days.

There are iPads, Amazon Fire Tablets, and Samsung Notes. Here are a few of my favorite creative gifts for children with Tablets.

• Osmo Creative for iPad– Osmo is the leader of tablet games. This one is for iPad, but there is also one for Amazon Fire, find it here.
• Super Studio– This doesn't include the base, but you can get one here for iPad, and Fire.

Creative Digital Gifts Without a Tablet

Maybe you're not into giving your little a tablet. I get it. Mine don't have one either. They're allowed to use mine a few times a week, but they don't have full access to it.

Some of the coolest gifts for creative children who love to draw are non-tablet electronic toys. You'll see what I mean here.

• LCD Writing Tablet – These are cool because you can draw on them, and then press the button and it all disappears. It's electronic, but not connected to wifi or anything.
• Smart Pixelator– The pictures don't do this thing justice. It's like those melty beads we used to have as kids, but this will take your images and turn them into a template for your little to fill. So you could make a picture of your pet, brother, or favorite pair of socks.
• Smart Sketcher– This is a personal size projector. I haven't gotten to use this one yet, but it looks SO cool. Great for tracing, and building up confidence in their abilities.

I love art for my children, and I want them to be able to draw until their little fingers hurt, go to sleep, and do it again the next day.

But for my sanity, I'm going to need all those amazing supplies to have a home that is not my dining room table.

When we decide to buy gifts for creative children who love to draw, we should always think about how to keep it organized.

• Plastic Tote for Markers– When there is no paper being contained, this will do the job well. This will happily hold markers, pencils, erasers and paint.
• Colorful Drawers – These will hold paper, and is easy to organize into different sections. I think I like this one the most!
• Wooden Drawer– You will love how this looks in your house, holding all the mess. We have something similar, and the kids love being able to pull out whatever they need. My favorite part is they know where to put things away.

There you have it, 50+ gifts for creative children who love to draw.

Please remember it really doesn't matter what you get them, they'll only remember the time you spent with them. So sit down and paint some rocks with them, or learn how to draw cute elephants. They'll love the time you spend with them.

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