Arts & Crafts sets for kids?

Old_-_School

Anyone recommend a large arts and crafts set for a Christmas present for 8-10 year olds?

Mainly big into drawing & colouring but would like good variety.

I see a lot of packages with thousands of various odds and ends thrown in, would like something with a bit more structure.

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058274621/arts-crafts-sets-for-kids

Sorry, how do you mean "More structure"? Also, what budget did you have in mind?

You can get sets in wooden boxes that turn into table-top easels that contain, for instance, acrylic paints and some coloured pencils and/ or pastels, a selection of paintbrushes, etc. For a child, I find that proper watercolours are a waste of money (unless the child is particularly gifted) and very unforgiving. Oils take too long to dry and would test the child's patience (I'm speaking from personal experience, here). Poster paints (the same as they use in school) always left me unsatisfied with the result (too dusty and opaque). I would have loved to get a set of acrylic paints as a child, if I had known they existed. And I'd have loved getting a set like this, too: https://www.sgeducation.ie/product/create-mixed-media-art-set. If you get one suitable for adults (e.g. https://www.sgeducation.ie/product/elements-mixed-media-easel-set-with-acrylic-paints-and-oil-pastels), they may make use of some of the items now and the rest may be left aside until they rediscover them as they get bigger.

The other thing you could do would be to buy individual items and put them together yourself - you could also add a couple of cardboard backed canvasses (they're quite inexpensive - Mr Price would definitely stock them), some good quality markers and perhaps some inks for calligraphy and pens. A paint palette is essential if you want them to feel like real artists. :) Oh, and a book on origami and a set of origami paper (pre-cut in squares).

SnowyMuckish

‘The arty fox’ might be worth a look

New Home

@Old_-_School, Lidl have these on sale from the 19th

https://www.lidl.ie/c/arts-crafts/c833/w2

https://www.lidl.ie/p/arts-crafts/art-set/p31666

https://www.lidl.ie/p/arts-crafts/tabletop-box-easel/p31665