Tips on how to stock your art cupboard with budget art supplies for cheap and encourage children’s creativity, even on a limited budget.
Updated July 2025
What can you do if you want to encourage your children’s creativity and provide them with art supplies and art activities, but your budget is bare bones? When it’s a struggle to simply pay the bills and get food on the table, the idea of shelling out money for art supplies can feel like a stretch (and we’ve been there).
You don’t want to ignore your children’s creative development. Not to mention the fact that art is a healthy and fun outlet for kids as well as an excellent way to develop fine motor skills.
Luckily there’s a lot you can do and have art-wise without much money.
We can imagine our posts about the best kids’ art materials and the best kids’ art tools are a bit daunting. But NO ONE needs all that. And few have all that.
Here are some ways to make kids’ art more affordable. We’ll talk about what you need, what you don’t, and what you can make do with. Don’t worry, there’s a lot you can do on a limited budget!
Art Supplies for Cheap
1. Something to draw and paint on
- Copy paper (cheap and versatile)
- Recycled paper or cardboard (cereal boxes, packaging, etc.)
- Paper bags from the grocery store
- Chalkboards, rocks, poster board, or even windows!
Tip: Save thin and corrugated cardboard from the recycle bin!
2. Something to draw with
- A pencil or pen is enough to get started
- Crayola crayons are classic and affordable
- Oil pastels are bright, fun, and inexpensive
Don’t worry about having all the colors.
3. Something to paint with
- A small set of washable paints or watercolor palette
- A couple of paintbrushes
- Or make your own paint with pantry ingredients
4. Something to protect the area
- Dollar store vinyl tablecloth
- Plastic placemat
- A thrifted rimmed baking sheet is the perfect art tray
- Recycled cardboard or newspaper
- And a large old T-shirt makes a great art smock
5. Collage Materials
- Fabric and ribbon scraps
- Paper scraps from old projects
- Buttons, yarn, stickers, pasta
- Nature items like leaves or twigs
- Don’t forget glue!
6. Dough to Sculpt
- Homemade playdough is the best! Plus, you can make a big batch that lasts for months for very little money.
Where and How to Get Kids Art Supplies for Cheap
You can save money by making your own art supplies with pantry staples, finding secondhand materials at thrift stores or yard sales, and asking for art supplies as gifts. Use coupons at big craft stores, and get creative with free items from nature or your recycling bin—great art doesn’t need fancy tools!
You don’t need a fancy art studio or expensive materials to create a rich art experience for your kids. What matters most isn’t the supplies, it’s the making, exploring, and joy of creating together.
More of Our Favorite Kids Art Supplies
- Shop Our Favorite Art Supplies
- The Best Tools & Art Supplies for Kids
- The Best Art Supplies for Kids
- The Best Multicultural Art Supplies to Embrace Diversity
- The Best Art Supplies for Drawing
- The Best Art Supplies for Toddlers
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