Creative & Screen-Free Play

Whaline Outline Shimmer Markers

Double-line pens for lettering, homemade cards, and doodles.

Canson XL Sketch Pad

An easy pair for drawing on their own terms.

OOLY Smooth Stix Watercolor Gel Crayons

Twist-up gel crayons that glide on paper. Add water with the included brush for a watercolor effect.

Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, 12 Count

Chisel tips make it easy to switch between bold lines and smaller details.

Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers, 40 Count

A broad-line set with enough colors to share at the art table.

Yangmei Rainbow Colored Pencils

A small set for sketchbooks, lettering, and drawings that change color as you go.

CICIMELON Three-Compartment Pencil Case

A roomy zip pouch that keeps pencils, markers, and little tools together.

ARTISTRO 50-Color Travel Watercolor Set

Pair a simple palette with watercolor paper.

OOLY Chunkies Paint Sticks

An easy way to make bold marks without setting out brushes and water.

UCreate Watercolor Paper

Pair this heavier paper with our ARTISTRO watercolor set.

48-Color Washable Watercolor Set with Brushes

A roomy palette and three brush pens for mixing and experimenting with color.

BaubleBar Ultimate Custom Bead Kit

My daughter loves making bracelets. Match the materials to their dexterity and keep small pieces away from younger siblings.

Sticker Dolly Dressing Magical Kingdom

A quiet project with enough structure to get started.

Skillmatics Foil Fun Bugs & Butterflies

A sparkly project for kids who like finishing a picture.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Animals Wooden Stamp Set

Stamp animals to make a scene, then use the included markers to add the details.

Dot Stickers + Painter’s Tape

Make sticker roads or tape-resist pictures. Add a few sheets of paper and let kids make the rest.

Olly Kids Craft Box

A premade box of supplies for kids who want to sit down and make something. I love this pick from Busy Toddler.

Reusable Fabric Flower Bouquet Kit

We have and love this set. Kids can build a bouquet, pull it apart, and make a completely different one next time.

HAWINK Temporary Tattoo Markers

We gave these to a friend, and one pen was accidentally left at our house. My kids have been asking to use it ever since. Follow the product directions for use on skin.

Face Paint Pens & Palette

These face-paint pens are great when my kids want to do their own designs. When they want to get a little fancy, we also have this water-activated face-paint palette.

Svance Magnetic Dot Drawing Board

My middle daughter picked this out at a consignment sale and has barely put it down. I love that she can make picture after picture without getting out paint or markers.

PicassoTiles Magnetic Tiles

Build a house, a zoo, or a whole neighborhood and start again tomorrow.

PicassoTiles 100-Piece Magnetic Marble Run

For kids who like testing a route and changing one piece at a time. Check age guidance.

Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads

One we love for threading, sorting by color, and making patterns.

Learning Resources Link ’N’ Learn Links

I’m getting these for my middle daughter this Christmas. She loves building and making things up, and I can see these becoming necklaces, pretend leashes, and all sorts of creations.

GEMEM Wooden Tangram Pattern Blocks

This is the set we have. Follow the picture cards or use the pieces to make your own designs.

Yoto Mini

Our family reaches for the Yoto Mini often for screen-free stories and listening.

Pair an audio player with a story they’d want to pick for themselves.

Yoto BrainBots: The Human Body

An add-on for families who already have a Yoto Player or Mini. These audio cards are listed for ages 6 and up.