I’m always up for trying out a new Artterro art kit. And I’m always surprised by just how much creative potential is packed into a deceptively compact cardboard box (which doubles as a decorate-your-own frame, by the way).
A little like that stunt where clown after clown hops out of a miniature circus car, surprising and delighting you.
That’s kind of how I feel with Artterro’s eco art kits.
The materials in their kids’ art kits are luscious and beautiful—printed papers, batik fabrics, glass and wood beads, colorful embroidery thread, wool felt pieces, lace, and ribbon. And we always seem to have left over materials to add to our own art supply stash after we are finished with the kit.
I’m also impressed with the printed fold-out pamphlets that Artterro includes in their kits. They always seem to provide the perfect balance between:
- Inspiration (showing in-progress and completed examples of how others have used the kit)
- Guidance (giving us tips for using the materials)
- And creative encouragement (urging us to use the kit in our own way and giving us ideas for finding inspiration within and around us)
The kit includes one well-made blank canvas book, an assortment of plain and printed fabrics, needle and thread, a packet of beads and sequins, a palette of acrylic paint, and a variety of ribbons.
Here’s what we did with all of those beautiful materials…
Make a Book with Kids Using a Kit
Maia decided to go with an under-the-sea theme.
We went to the Atlanta Aquarium (with friend Marlise) a couple of months ago and it made a big impression on her.
On all of us, really.
We loved the dolphins, whales, sharks, fish, jellyfish, octopus, seahorses, sea urchins, everything. But Maia especially loved the dolphins and the dolphin show.
Since then, she’s said she wants to work at the aquarium when she grows up and/or wants to work with dolphins. She’s been watching Dolphin Tale and reading about dolphins.
So her choice of theme for the book was not surprising.
Maia loved the fabrics, the colors, the paints, etc, and began assembling them into her ocean images right away. But she got a little frustrated with the sewing and the gluing and turning her vision into reality.
She asked me to help her and we ended up working on the book side by side, as a gift for the friend we went to the aquarium with. It’s not finished yet and we work on it a bit at a time, letting paint and glue dry before turning the page and starting the next one.
By the way, if you’re interesting in making books with kids, check out my review of Artterro’s other bookmaking kit (a paper-based one).
More Art Kits for Kids by Artterro
- Creativity Kit
- Art Journal Kits for Kids
- Art Dolls Kit
- Bookmaking Kit
- Needle Felting Kit
- Felt Bugs Kit
- Bubble Wands Kit
This canvas storybook kit was sent to us for free by Artterro to try out; all opinions expressed are my own.
Pin It for Later
Artterro Eco Art Kit Giveaway
We love the aquarium (live here in Atlanta) and have a 9 year old who would also like to work with dolphins. That same 9 year old would love to win an art kit. Thanks for the chance!
Shannon
December 8, 2013 at 1:06 pmMy daughter would live to create this book!
Bethany
December 8, 2013 at 1:08 pmHow fun!! What a great activity. Love your underwater theme as well!
Shifra
December 8, 2013 at 1:14 pmThis looks so fun for my children!
J. Marie Weldon
December 8, 2013 at 1:16 pmAll the colors are so vibrant!
Janet Lovoy
December 8, 2013 at 1:17 pmI really like this idea! I’ll have to steal it to use with my daughter’s sea life homeschooling unit. Thanks!
Christy
December 8, 2013 at 1:19 pmI have never seen a canvas book before, that’s a wonderful idea. My daughter would crazy love it.
chandra
December 8, 2013 at 1:28 pmThat looks like a lot of fun!
Lily
December 8, 2013 at 1:28 pmWe would love to have these kits. What a great idea.
Michelle
December 8, 2013 at 1:42 pmI changed schools often and managed to get through 12 years of education without a single art class. I will make sure my son is exposed to art. These are a wonderful way to make that happen!
Annette
December 8, 2013 at 1:44 pmBeautiful possibilities with both kits. My kids would love them.
susan
December 8, 2013 at 1:56 pmSO very cool
pavla
December 8, 2013 at 2:07 pmBeautiful! My girls would love this!
Catherine
December 8, 2013 at 2:17 pmWe would love to have one of these kits!
Suzanne
December 8, 2013 at 2:43 pmBeautiful. My daughter would love it!
Heather
December 8, 2013 at 2:46 pmThis looks like such a fun thing to do with my boys!
Nicole O.
December 8, 2013 at 2:56 pmSo inspirational. Just lovely.
Karissa
December 8, 2013 at 3:01 pmI’ve made soft books fr my kids before, but they haven’t yet made any of their own. I’m sure they’d love this.
Michelle A
December 8, 2013 at 3:09 pmThis is just what we’ve been wanting to do for our visits!
sierra
December 8, 2013 at 3:10 pmLove love! This would be an amazing gift for my daughter!
Gena
December 8, 2013 at 3:11 pmLooks fun!
Sarah M
December 8, 2013 at 3:13 pmI LOVE her storybook. The little bead and gemstone details on the starfish and jellyfish are so sweet.
Sarah M
PS-Love Arterro! Thank you!
Lucy Gonzalez
December 8, 2013 at 3:14 pmMy goodness…these look like terrific fun.
[email protected]
December 8, 2013 at 3:14 pmLove this beautiful memory book, what a sweet project to do together and
Such pretty materials!
Laura
December 8, 2013 at 3:15 pmMy boys would love these kits!
Kc
December 8, 2013 at 3:24 pmThis is a great project
Lisa
December 8, 2013 at 3:26 pmLove this! I took my kids to the Atlanta Aquarium this summer while we were visiting family. I thought the dolphin show was a little cheesy, but my kids LOVED it and still talk about it. That’s a super cute book you all are making.
Jane
December 8, 2013 at 3:35 pmWhat a great kit to inspire and facilitate creativity!
Anne
December 8, 2013 at 3:37 pmLove the fabric as a book making supply. Can’t wait to try it with my daughter!
Bekah
December 8, 2013 at 3:44 pmIncredible! My daughter loves “crafts” of any kind, and really loves books. Maui need buy one now
beth s
December 8, 2013 at 3:47 pmWow, never heard of Arterro Kits before today and those look so cool. Especially love the canvas book kit. I will b ordering one but we’d love to win another too.
Erin
December 8, 2013 at 4:08 pmI love how these products encourage such unique creativity!
Chris
December 8, 2013 at 4:22 pmLooks like a lot of fun and encourages creativity!
Kyra
December 8, 2013 at 4:34 pmWow! I LOVE this. Art projects is always my strongest suit but I never thought of anything like this. Love love. And I am so happy that I discovered this site a few months ago!
Kate
December 8, 2013 at 4:39 pmThanks for ALL of the giveaways!! LOVE the aquarium-inspired artwork!!! :-)
Alicia
December 8, 2013 at 6:09 pmThis looks really fun! Your daughter’s book came out beautifully!
Tauna W.
December 8, 2013 at 6:19 pmI love the way the book is turning out! Looks great. My daughter and I would have so much fun working on this together.
Chelsea
December 8, 2013 at 6:30 pmThat looks like so much fun! We love aquariums.
kitter
December 8, 2013 at 7:26 pmThose look like awesome kits! Your under-the-sea book is shaping up beautifully. Thanks!
sarakenobi
December 8, 2013 at 7:28 pmWOW! this is so great! These are amazing!
Celeste
December 8, 2013 at 8:06 pmI love the book you created with this kit. I am especially fond of the jellyfish. We also enjoyed the Georgia Aquarium this summer!
Jane
December 8, 2013 at 8:39 pmwow! my daughter would love to create her own book!
Maria Hunt
December 8, 2013 at 8:43 pmGreat set! Thank you for sharing!
Liz
December 8, 2013 at 9:16 pmI’ve always wanted to try one of these kits. Thanks! :)
Rosemarie
December 8, 2013 at 9:22 pmLooks like so much fun!
Thanks for the chance to win.
Jenny
December 8, 2013 at 9:26 pmThese look so wonderful
Lara
December 8, 2013 at 9:27 pmLooks like an art adventure. Thanks for the chance!
Kathleen
December 8, 2013 at 9:55 pmWow another giveaway?! Cool under the water activity!!!
Shelli
December 8, 2013 at 9:57 pmLove, love, love it. Crossing fingers….
ang
December 8, 2013 at 10:07 pmwe need the inspiration :}
Jenn A
December 8, 2013 at 10:23 pmSo gorgeous! We’d love to create with these beautiful materials at our house!
Susan
December 8, 2013 at 10:28 pmOoooh, this would be so great!
Jeanette Nyberg
December 8, 2013 at 10:35 pmWe love Artterro kits so much! And…. did you just compare their art kits to a clown car? :)
Heidi Anderson
December 8, 2013 at 11:53 pmWow, these are wonderful! I was not aware of these kits before but I am definitely going to check them out. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sarah
December 9, 2013 at 12:05 amThat canvas book looks awesome! My daughter and I tried the Arttero bug kit and didn’t really like it, but this could be great! I love what Maia is making and love those photos from the aquarium!
Lisa
December 9, 2013 at 12:08 amLove it! My son would love something like this.
Ashlee
December 9, 2013 at 12:11 amLove what she did with the book!
Pallavi
December 9, 2013 at 12:26 amWhat a great idea! We would love to try this kit!
Milena
December 9, 2013 at 12:59 amOh we would love these (I would actually want one just for myself :). Thanks for the giveaway!
jen
December 9, 2013 at 4:00 amThis beautiful
aimee
December 9, 2013 at 6:22 amI haven’t seen this before, so much fun. Bookmaking has been a new project in our family..
Jennifer
December 9, 2013 at 7:47 amMy daughter creates her own books now out of paper and staples. She would love this opportunity to make a “real” book. Thank you for the chance to win!
Erin
December 9, 2013 at 8:48 amWe live close to the National Aquarium, which is spectacular. We go all the time; it provides such inspiration to the children.
Margaret
December 9, 2013 at 9:26 amWe would love to try out one of these kits! Very cool
Laura
December 9, 2013 at 9:31 amThe idea of the canvas book is so creative and sturdy for little hands. Would love to try!
Heather C
December 9, 2013 at 10:03 amThat’s a beautiful book. What a fantastic idea!
Kelsey
December 9, 2013 at 10:09 amMy boy would love this!
dawn
December 9, 2013 at 10:38 amThe canvas book kit looks wonderful! Would love the chance to try it out.
Mommytotheprincesses
December 9, 2013 at 10:50 amWe would love to win this!
Michelle
December 9, 2013 at 11:08 amWhat a beautiful book! My son would absolutely love this, thanks!
April
December 9, 2013 at 11:34 amWhat fun!!! My kids would love these!!
Tori Gamble
December 9, 2013 at 11:36 amWonderful idea and great giveaway!
kate
December 9, 2013 at 11:50 amI would love to win this! Thanks for the chance!
Mandy
December 9, 2013 at 12:02 pmBeautiful! The sewing might be tricky, but it looks like lots of creative fun!
Fernanda
December 9, 2013 at 12:07 pmArt is in your feet, art is in eyes, wherever you go, whatever you see, you come up with an art project! I really like this one!
Miranda
December 9, 2013 at 12:23 pmlove this idea!
Jaime Southwick
December 9, 2013 at 12:23 pmLoving Maia’s creativity with the canvas book making project! My 8 yr. old daughter is an artist and loves to write books, what a great concept to fuse both passions!
Melissa B
December 9, 2013 at 12:27 pmWe love Artterro! I hadn’t seen the canvas storybook before and love what you made!
Adelle F.
December 9, 2013 at 12:55 pmAnother beautiful giveaway!
Anu
December 9, 2013 at 1:04 pmSuch a mouth watering offers. Ummm
Andrea
December 9, 2013 at 2:08 pmThis book looks like it is right up the ally of my little artists!
Paige
December 9, 2013 at 2:19 pmHow fun! That looks like such a fun kit!
adriana Ochoa
December 9, 2013 at 2:30 pmA trip to the aquarium..priceless!
fingers crossed!
ericka
December 9, 2013 at 2:50 pmLove this!! Thanks!
Megan
December 9, 2013 at 3:06 pmWould love this
Catherine
December 9, 2013 at 3:14 pmLove Arterro kits! My artsy kids would eat this up!
Karen
December 9, 2013 at 3:43 pmThat book is gorgeous – what a lovely way to remember the aquarium! My daughter would love those kits. Thanks for the giveaway!
Lynne
December 9, 2013 at 3:48 pmThank you for giving us the chance to win a fantastic Arterro kit, I like the art journal kit best.
KELLY
December 9, 2013 at 4:00 pmAweswome as always! My kiddo would love this.
Kerstin
December 9, 2013 at 4:04 pmWHat a fun way to make a book. My girls would love to try that out.
Wendy
December 9, 2013 at 4:28 pmI loved my visit to the Atlanta Aquarium. My granddaughters visit the New Orleans Aquarium and would be very pleased to make an Under-The-Sea Book too!
Erin
December 9, 2013 at 4:41 pmThese are so great! Thank you for introducing me to them and thank you for the chance to win!
Shauna
December 9, 2013 at 4:46 pmWhat a fun idea. My daughter would absolutely love this!
Shelli
December 9, 2013 at 2:32 pmWould love to try that out! Thank you for the opportunity!
Dava
December 9, 2013 at 8:27 pmI would love to add this to my art lessons! What a great use for the kit!
Crafty
December 9, 2013 at 8:32 pmMy older one is just the right age for this. What beautiful materials!
Jennifer
December 9, 2013 at 8:45 pmlooks beautiful!
Joelle
December 9, 2013 at 9:02 pmThis looks great! I really need to do more art with my daughter.
Leah
December 9, 2013 at 9:23 pmWe love the aquarium (live here in Atlanta) and have a 9 year old who would also like to work with dolphins. That same 9 year old would love to win an art kit. Thanks for the chance!
Julie
December 9, 2013 at 9:59 pmFun concept, creative and textural.
Jennifer Ernst
December 9, 2013 at 10:11 pmThese look like fun>
Marylea
December 9, 2013 at 10:46 pmWe love arterro and this kit looks WONDERFUL! Thank you so much!
Barb
December 9, 2013 at 10:48 pmLooks like lots of fun!
Karla
December 9, 2013 at 10:48 pmI’d love to try their kits!
Anira
December 9, 2013 at 10:48 pmWhat a fun kit! The possibilities…
christine
December 9, 2013 at 11:55 pmHaven’t seen these kits before- what a great idea. Thank you for sharing!
Holly R
December 9, 2013 at 11:57 pmMy kids would LOVE these!
Lisa W.
December 10, 2013 at 12:27 amLooks like fun! Would love to win and make something awesome!
Linda S.
December 10, 2013 at 12:57 amHow fun this would be!
Linnae
December 10, 2013 at 1:08 amOh, the possibilities! What fun! Thanks for the chance to win.
Lara
December 10, 2013 at 9:36 amLooks awesome!
Heather
December 10, 2013 at 10:47 amI love this!
Jen
December 10, 2013 at 12:05 pmI reeeally want to try an Arterro kit. I have heard about them through the Artful Parent and have seen their website. It looks like sooo much fun!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sasha M
December 10, 2013 at 1:37 pmMy daughter is really into making her own books right now, this would be great.
Cathleen H.
December 10, 2013 at 2:34 pmGreat giveaway! My kids would love this…
Joy sutter
December 10, 2013 at 2:48 pmso fun a great variation on a smashbook
Sara R.
December 10, 2013 at 3:24 pmMy boys spent all evening making books and woke up this morning to finish them (2 hours early!). I love the idea of this kind of book…more texture and lots of color!
Rose
December 10, 2013 at 3:29 pmLove these kits!
Kelly A
December 10, 2013 at 7:55 pmBeautiful!
Megan N
December 10, 2013 at 9:06 pmMy four year old is very into story-telling and creates a bunch of her own books from any little papers left around. How cool that there’s a kit with a bunch of different fabrics and materials for her to explore and make it more “fancy” as she likes to say. This would make a great gift for her and for us to do together.
Joy
December 10, 2013 at 9:12 pmWhat wonderful creative possibilities with these kits!
Andi
December 10, 2013 at 11:54 pmYour daughter is such a great artist. I wish mine had that kind of attention span… Maybe one day. :)
Christa
December 11, 2013 at 1:17 amThese kits look fantastic! Thanks for giveaway opportunity!!
Laura
December 11, 2013 at 7:13 amI just bought the canvas book for my 5 year old for Christmas. We also received the collage kit. It was very beautifully packed and easy two create special ornaments. My preschoolers created some beautiful ornaments with the kit. They loved it. They were so engaged by the beautiful paper. Each one came out gorgeous. Love all of their kits!!
Kristi
December 11, 2013 at 9:35 amThis would be terrific! All of us need something like this for inspiration!
Abbey Cannon
December 11, 2013 at 10:15 amLooks so fun! My son and daughter would enjoy this. My loves drawing and writing short books all the time.
Susan
December 11, 2013 at 11:41 amThe kits look amazing! They would be great presents!
Melissa Murphy
December 11, 2013 at 2:34 pmThis is beautiful! My son & I will have to give it a go ;)
Danielle
December 11, 2013 at 4:00 pmAlways on the lookout for great art kits!
[email protected]
December 11, 2013 at 5:57 pmWhat a fun craft idea for kids– my daughter would love this!
Sarah Thacker
December 11, 2013 at 6:10 pmThis makes me want to redo my childhood! Beautiful!
Kristin
December 11, 2013 at 7:11 pmWe would love to win!
Erin G.
December 11, 2013 at 8:30 pmThe aquatic book pages look lovely! I think my daughter would have a blast making a book like that.
Kerri
December 11, 2013 at 10:55 pmThis looks great, would love a chance to win!
Jen S
December 11, 2013 at 11:54 pmi love the idea of a canvas story book. Would love to work on it with my daughter!
Christine
December 12, 2013 at 9:53 amBeautiful – we gave an Arttero kit as a birthday gift last year – the garden ornament kit – it was a big hit for a girl who created items for a fairy garden she was developing!
[email protected]
December 12, 2013 at 1:54 pmPerfect for my artistic grandaughter!
Savannah
December 12, 2013 at 3:02 pmI am always amazed at the materials you use! Amazing:)
nicole
December 12, 2013 at 3:04 pmMy daughters would love this kit! My oldest (4) is obsessed with art and creates something first thing when she wakes up most days :).
Sandy
December 12, 2013 at 3:05 pmMy daughter wants to create books when she grows up. She would have so much fun with these books.
Jennifer Ritter
December 12, 2013 at 3:07 pmI am in love with this for my daughter and I!
Sandra M.
December 12, 2013 at 3:08 pmGreat idea! My son would live to create this book!
Natalia
December 12, 2013 at 3:10 pmMy favorite kits!
Theresa
December 12, 2013 at 3:12 pmWhat a neat kit! We would love to add this to our art supplies.
Meagan Darrow
December 12, 2013 at 3:13 pmWhat an amazing give away! Looks like great fun.
[email protected]
December 12, 2013 at 3:13 pmI love the idea of creating a canvas book without having to do the sewing!!
Martha
December 12, 2013 at 3:16 pmWow! looks very fun!
Suzanna
December 12, 2013 at 3:18 pmLOVE the idea of the Aquarium book to prolong the memory!!
angela
December 12, 2013 at 3:18 pmWhat awesome parenting … im inspired :)
Tricia
December 12, 2013 at 3:22 pmMy son would LOVE to create his own book!
angel funk
December 12, 2013 at 3:26 pmI love these kits! Would love to win. Thank you for posting so many wonderful reviews, I use them to purchase items regularly.
[email protected]
December 12, 2013 at 3:35 pmpick me! pick me! happy holidays :)
Raquel Dias
December 12, 2013 at 3:38 pmLovely :D
Mary
December 12, 2013 at 3:51 pmMy kids would love to create this.
Kim Wolke
December 12, 2013 at 3:55 pmWhat a great giveaway!
Rose
December 12, 2013 at 3:57 pmThese kits are amazing! My kiddos would LOVE them! Thanks for the opportunity!
Jane
December 12, 2013 at 4:00 pmLove these kits!
Julie D
December 12, 2013 at 4:22 pmLove the book kit! What a neat idea!
Sheree
December 12, 2013 at 4:44 pmJust beautiful! Would love to try the Artterro kits :)
Laurel A.
December 12, 2013 at 4:47 pmThese look neat! My daughter would dig these.
Aimee
December 12, 2013 at 6:10 pmMy daughter loves these kits!
[email protected]
December 12, 2013 at 6:24 pmThank you for this opportunity to win something so educational through art, our children would benefit from this:-)
Tammy Evans
December 12, 2013 at 6:49 pmWhat beautiful art! What a great way to express yourself!
Shaivite
December 12, 2013 at 6:50 pmMy daughter would love this! Thanks for the opportunity.
[email protected]
December 12, 2013 at 6:52 pmOh these supplies would be so much fun to win for my grandchildren!
Jenn Judge
December 12, 2013 at 8:01 pmThis is awesome:)
Kialli
December 12, 2013 at 11:35 pmJust the thing to follow a trip to Mystic Aquarium.