Arts and crafts play a vital role in education – not just as a creative outlet, but as a tool for developing motor skills, self-expression, collaboration, and confidence. Whether it’s finger painting in nursery, building papier-mâché volcanoes in primary, or sketching final portfolio pieces in secondary school, the right materials make all the difference. With that in mind, here’s a stage-by-stage guide to the arts and crafts essentials that help bring classrooms to life, inspire creativity, and support the curriculum from the early years to secondary education.
Nursery & Early Years: Sensory Play and Creative Exploration
In nursery settings, arts and crafts are all about exploration. At this age, children are learning through their senses – touch, colour, texture, movement – and building the fine motor skills they’ll need for writing and coordination.
Key school supplies for early years:
- Chunky crayons and washable felt tips: Easy to grip and safe for little hands.
- Finger paints and ready-mix paints: Bright, bold colours that clean up easily.
- Textured and tactile materials: Feathers, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, and foam shapes add variety.
- Glue sticks and child-safe PVA: For supervised sticking and collaging.
- Blunt-tipped safety scissors: Introduce scissor skills with minimal risk.
- Smocks and table covers: Keep mess contained while creativity runs wild.
Activities at this stage are often open-ended, with the focus on the process rather than the outcome. It’s about experimenting, discovering, and gaining confidence through hands-on fun.
Primary School: Developing Skills and Expressing Ideas
As children move into primary education, they begin to approach art with more purpose. Lessons often link closely to history, science, and literacy, encouraging cross-curricular learning and creative problem-solving.
Supplies that support primary learning:
- Coloured pencils, oil pastels, and fine-line pens: Help refine drawing and colouring skills.
- Watercolours, ready-mix and powder paints: Great for introducing brush techniques and colour mixing.
- Craft paper, card, foam sheets, and collage materials: Perfect for topic-based art, posters, and displays.
- Staplers, tape, hole punches and paper fasteners: Useful for construction projects and independent work.
- Clay, dough, and modelling tools: Support creative play, dioramas, and topic-linked creations (e.g. ancient pots or bug models).
- Glitter, sequins, and embellishments: Add flair to festive crafts and showcase projects.
At this level, children begin to take pride in their work, and having access to a wide variety of materials helps them experiment with different techniques and visual styles.
Secondary School: Expanding Technique and Creative Independence
In secondary education, arts and crafts evolve into a more disciplined and expressive subject. Students are taught to think critically, refine their work, and develop a personal creative voice – whether they’re working on fine art, textiles, photography, or graphic design.
Supplies for secondary classrooms:
- Artist-grade sketchbooks and a range of pencils: Including H and B grades for tone and form.
- Acrylics, watercolours, gouache and specialist papers: Allow for technique-based painting and media exploration.
- Brush sets and palette knives: For experimenting with texture, layering, and application styles.
- Printmaking tools: Lino blocks, inks, rollers and cutting tools for GCSE and A-level printwork.
- Fabric, thread, needles and embellishments: Support textile art and design projects.
- Precision tools: Cutting mats, craft knives, compasses, and metal rulers – used under supervision- for high-quality outcomes.
- Display folders and presentation cases: Essential for coursework submissions and exhibitions.
By this stage, students may be working towards formal assessment or pursuing their artistic interests with greater focus. Access to reliable, professional materials enables them to produce work they can truly be proud of.
Why Arts & Crafts Matter at Every Level
Arts and crafts aren’t just about making things, they support holistic learning. Through creativity, students build patience, resilience, and confidence. They learn to work independently and collaboratively, to try, fail, and try again. It’s no surprise that creative activity is often linked to improved wellbeing and engagement in school.
What’s more, the value of creativity extends far beyond the art room. The ability to think imaginatively, express ideas visually, and solve problems creatively is essential across all walks of life – from STEM to the humanities and beyond.
Creating a Culture of Creativity
Every classroom deserves to be a place where creativity is nurtured, mess is welcomed, and ideas take shape. By ensuring pupils have access to a well-stocked selection of age-appropriate educational supplies, educators create an environment where every child, no matter their age or ability, has the tools to flourish.
Whether it’s a toddler’s first dab of paint or a teenager’s final GCSE piece, art has a unique ability to connect, inspire and empower. So, let’s champion creativity in our schools, one glue stick, sketchbook and paint palette at a time.