Art Supplies

A Summer Supply List and Art Challenge to Empower Your Children

Finally, summer is approaching! Our students will be doing everything from swimming and playing video games to attending summer camps and traveling to far off places. In my mind, doing art should also be on that list! The end of the school year is an excellent time for us to empower our students to create outside of school.

My Summer Art Supply List is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a list of art supplies I feel it would be good for students to have at home. Having a list makes shopping easy for parents, especially if they don’t have an art background.

Here are 10 things I include.

1. Crayons

Many students already have crayons at their houses. Sharing your favourite brands is a good way to get your students using quality materials. There are also a few new versions that could be a great addition to your student’s art supplies. Check them out below!

  • Twistables Crayons
  • Ooly Color
  • Appeal Crayon Sticks

2. Markers

I use a variety of markers including thin, thick, metallic, and pastel. A few of my students even have experience with Copic markers. Those are very pricey, but they are definitely worth sharing because you can find them on sale or buy a few at a time to build up your collection. Sharpies are also a staple in my classroom that students often use in their work. I include all three on my list.

3. Quality Drawing Pad

Paper is a huge part of the creation process, especially when it comes to drawing and making collages. A Strathmore Mixed Media drawing pad is sure to stand up to all types of media. Or just buy a good quality sketchbook.

4. Colored Pencils

Colored pencils are another versatile medium. There is a wide range of colored pencil options that vary in type and price. I like to give them options. Here are a few

  • Prismacolors
  • Faber castel

both of these are also available as watercolour pencils

5. Watercolors

I suggest watercolors in a palette, but depending on your grade level, you may want to share watercolors that are sold in individual tubes. You may also want a variety of paintbrushes, as most sets just come with one.

  • Prang Watercolors
  • Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Palette
  • Pelikan

6. Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are great both on their own and mixed with other mediums such as watercolors. Here are a few sets I add to my summer supply list for my students.

  • Pentel Arts Oil Pastels 36 color set
  • Portfolio Series Oil Pastels 12 color set
  • Faber-Castell Oil Pastels with case

7. Plasticine

Students love to build in three dimensions. plasticine is a fun alternative to earthenware clay. Plasticine comes in white and assorted colors.

8. Recyclables

Free art supplies everyone has in their home are recyclables. I always add these to my list because I love recycled art. Check out the list for some of the recyclables students and their families can save in order to create over the summer.

  • Shoe boxes
  • Paper towel rolls
  • Egg cartons
  • Cereal boxes
  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Kleenex boxes
  • Yogurt containers

9. Odds and Ends

There are several cost friendly items that can be found at your local Daiso store to use in art projects. For instance, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, Popsicle sticks, aluminum foil, and yarn are all things I purchase at low prices. These items can help take creativity to the next level.

10. Adhesives

When building with odds and ends and well as recyclables it is important to have ways to connect pieces. Adding glue sticks, masking tape, scotch tape, and duct tape to the list is a must! Tacky glue is another excellent adhesive that can help with these summer projects.