Art supplies for kids: crayons, oil pastels or watercolours?

Art class, school projects and weekend colouring all need the right supplies. But the shelf is full of crayons, pastels, colour pencils and paints, and it is hard to know which one suits your child. Here is a simple guide for parents and teachers in Qatar.

Wax crayons: for the youngest

Wax crayons are clean, easy to hold and hard to break. Jumbo crayons are thick, so they are easier for small hands in nursery and KG. Plastic crayons are another clean option. Pair them with a drawing book or colouring book.

Colour pencils: for neat work

Colour pencils are best for detailed drawing, maps, diagrams and school notebooks, because they give control and fine lines. They are on most school lists. A pack of 12 is enough for daily use, and a bigger set is nice for children who love drawing. Keep a good sharpener in the pencil case.

Oil pastels: for bright, bold colour

Oil pastels are soft and creamy. They give strong, bright colour and are great for posters, big drawings and blending. They are a little messier than crayons, so keep a tissue nearby. They suit children who already enjoy drawing and want richer colours.

Watercolours: for painting

Watercolour cakes and tubes mix with water to make soft, see-through colours. They teach children about mixing and shading. You will also need a paint brush, a cup of water and thicker paper, because normal printer paper wrinkles when it gets wet. Washable watercolours are a good choice for young children.

Poster colours: for school projects

Poster colours are thicker and cover the paper fully, with no paper showing through. They are perfect for charts, project boards and National Day crafts, when you want flat, bold colour.

Clay and plasticine: for hands-on fun

Modelling clay and plasticine help small children build hand strength and creativity. Plasticine stays soft and can be used again and again. Air-dry clay hardens by itself, so children can keep and paint what they make.

Quick guide by age

Always check the age label on the pack, and follow your school's own list first.

Paper matters too

Use a sketch book or drawing book for pencils and pastels, and thicker paper for paint. For everything else a student needs, see our school stationery list, and for exam season, our guide to study stationery.

How to order art supplies

Shop crayons, colour pencils, oil pastels, watercolours, poster colours and modelling clay. Have a school list? Send it to us on WhatsApp and we will help you find everything on it.

Raifa Centre is in Doha, with branches in Barwa Village and Matar Qadeem. We deliver across Qatar and accept cash on delivery.

Cover photo: colors and crayons by albastrica mititica, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.