Creative Arts

Kids paint, chunky brushes, clay and modelling kits fill this creative arts corner, chosen for children from about 2 to 8 years old. Each one gives small hands something real to make, from a first sponge print to a papier-mâché chameleon.

Starting with paint: from 2 years

The paintbrush and sponge set, ten pieces, is a gentle start from age 2: a sponge dabbed on paper leaves a shape straight away, before brush control comes. From 3, children can move on to liquid paint in 250 ml bottles, poured into a little pot, and to a watercolour box with 12 colours and its brush. Fabric markers turn a plain cotton pencil case into a one-off.

Put out two or three colours only, plus a jar of water and a cloth. Fewer choices means more mixing, more looking, and far less brown.

An art set for kids who like to make things

• Modelling: air-drying natural clay and PlayMais corn pieces that stick together with a dab of water.
• Threading: wooden beads in letters, flowers and mixed shapes for bracelets and names.
• Mess-free drawing: a water doodle mat that dries clear, and bath crayons that wash off the tiles.
• Seasonal crafts: paintable wooden baubles, Easter eggs to decorate, snow globes to fill.

Choosing an art set: children's ages from 3 to 8

For ages 3 to 5, choose short activities finished in one sitting: stamping, threading, a card decorated with glitter glue pens. From 6 to 8, a themed art kit, such as the kite to paint, the dinosaur pencil pot or the space craft box, can hold attention over several afternoons. Embroidery and paper sculpture kits are best kept for confident 8-year-olds.

Whatever the project, a short demonstration followed by plenty of freedom works better than a finished model to copy, the same approach we take with our Montessori teaching toys. Children under two who want to join in can start with the festive wooden ink stamper, from age 1, or with our early learning toys.