Art carts for kids are often used in homes, classrooms, or art studios, and they come in various sizes, styles, and colors to suit different preferences and needs. Not just for art instructors or art teachers; this workable station is perfect for someone who loves to do art. The primary purpose of an art cart is to encourage creativity and make creating art more enjoyable and organized.
What is an Art Cart?
An art cart for kids is a mobile art station designed to hold various art supplies and materials in a convenient and accessible manner.
It typically consists of a cart or trolley with multiple shelves, compartments, and sometimes drawers, providing ample space to store a wide range of art materials. The cart has wheels, making it easy to move around from one location to another, allowing kids to have their art supplies within reach wherever they want to create.
A rolling art cart gives kids easy access to various art supplies, including drawing materials, paints, brushes, scissors, glue, paper, and other crafting items. It helps foster independence in young artists as they can choose their materials and initiate art projects independently.
Additionally, an art cart promotes organization, as kids learn to tidy up after their creative spaces, returning the supplies to their designated spots on the cart.
In addition, having a dedicated art cart also means that art supplies won’t clutter other spaces, making it a practical solution for parents and educators who want to keep the home or classroom clutter under control. A rolling art cart can be easily tucked away for small spaces or if your space needs to double as another workspace.
See our art cart down below!
Art Cart Benefits
Accessibility: Having an art cart with various supplies readily available makes it easy for kids to start creating whenever inspiration strikes. It eliminates the need to search for materials so that creativity can happen anytime!
Organization: An art cart helps keep art supplies organized and tidy. Having designated spaces for different materials fosters a sense of responsibility in kids to maintain order, making it easier to find and use the supplies and keeping your area less cluttered.
Variety and Exploration: Kids can access a wide range of art supplies with a well-stocked art cart. This variety encourages them to explore different mediums, techniques, and artistic styles that spark their mood.
Independence: Access to an art cart empowers kids to take charge of their creativity. They can choose their projects, materials, and the process they want to follow. This encourages a sense of independence and self-expression.
Flexibility: An art cart allows for art sessions in various locations, whether it’s in their bedroom, living room, or even outdoors. This flexibility encourages kids to engage in art in different environments, providing fresh perspectives and experiences.
Continuous Learning: An art cart can be regularly updated with new supplies, providing kids with continuous learning and skill development. As they encounter new tools, they learn how to use them and incorporate them into their artistic projects. Plus, it encourages Art Appreciation!
Tip: If you have multiple-age kids, consider making separate art carts with appropriate materials.
Boosts Confidence: Having easy access to art supplies and being able to create freely can boost a child’s confidence in their artistic abilities. It encourages them to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from the process, which is essential for creative growth.
Stress Relief and Relaxation: Art is an excellent outlet for emotional expression, stress relief, and relaxation.
Social Bonding: An art cart can also become a shared activity for the whole family. Everyone can join in and create. This encourages family bonding and creativity in everyone.
Problem-Solving Skills: Art involves problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. Kids learn to find solutions, experiment, and adapt as they work on their art projects!
What Type of Art Cart is Best?
My favorite type of cart is an art cart with wheels! This makes it easy to move around and store out of the way, provided you can roll it easily. We have two types of rolling art carts; both can be found on Amazon or at a Michaels Craft Store.
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This art supply rolling cart option has open shelves to store different size items. I suggest using smaller containers and jars as dividers to separate different materials. While it only has three shelves, there is still a good amount of space. Additionally, you can get storage containers that can be hung off the sides.
However, if you are looking for an art cart with drawers, this rolling cart separates everything nicely so that you have a variety of storage compartments. Plus, I can store paper pads neatly on the top shelf if I don’t want to use a sliding drawer. There are several different configurations for this style of art cart, including double-wide, deeper drawers, etc.
Of course, you can do what we do and have one of each! Generally, I use the one with drawers for overflow art storage and paper and fill the other rolling art cart with the always-use supplies I want to be able to grab quickly.
Best Art Cart Supplies
What’s in our rolling art cart? A ton of the supplies are listed below. I don’t keep everything accessible all the time. The best thing to do is occasionally switch up the art materials to keep your art cart fresh and engaging.
Here’s a list of 50+ art supplies to get you started! We use all of the materials below, and where I have a favorite brand, I will share a link. Otherwise, choose your favorites or use what you have!
NOTE: Art supplies are always good to have handy, but consider the age of your little artist when leaving different things accessible.
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Basic Supplies:
- Scissors (kid-friendly or regular)
- White Glue or Clear Glue
- Glue Sticks (My Favorite)
- Masking Tape
- Paint Palettes (with individual wells)
- Art Journal
Tip: Cut larger sheets into smaller pieces! Often, a large sheet of blank space can be daunting, whereas a 4″x5″ piece (or smaller) is inspiring!
Drawing or Mark Making Supplies:
Adding unique drawings and marks (circles, lines, dots, etc.) to your art pieces creates fun patterns and texture.
- Colored pencils (non-toxic and easy to blend)
- Washable markers
- Gel Pens
- Crayons or Twistable crayons (no need for sharpening)
- Watercolor Pencils (these are so much fun!)
- Watercolor Markers
- Erasers (preferably kneaded erasers)
- Pencil sharpeners (with safety features)
- Drawing paper pads (bound or loose sheets, generally 100lb plus and 140lb for watercolor)
Paint & Painting Supplies
I generally use acrylics or gouache (a little more challenging) and enjoy ink sprays. However, ink sprays are best for teens.
- Washable tempera paints (non-toxic)
- Watercolor paints (pan or liquid form)
- Paintbrushes (various sizes and shapes)
- Sponge brushes (easy for young kids to handle)
- Water cups (to clean brushes)
- Watercolor paper or pads
- Ink Sprays
- Paint Pens
Note: It’s generally best to buy brushes specific to the medium, such as these watercolor brushes for using watercolors or these acrylic brushes for using acrylics.
Modeling and Sculpting:
- Modeling clay (non-toxic and air-drying)
- Play-Doh (assorted colors)
- Clay tools (safe for kids)
- Small rolling pins (for flattening clay)
Printing and Stamping
The second tier of my art cart has my stamping supplies. Stamping makes a great addition to a mixed-media project.
- Washable ink pads (non-toxic) and Permanent Ink Pads(archival)
- Rubber stamps (generally need stamp blocks or find a set that comes with them)
- Rubber stamp blocks
- Ink blending tools (use with stencils or directly onto paper to create a background, shown below)
- Stencils (can be used with stamp ink, paints, gesso, and gel medium)
Mixed Media and Collage Supplies
I love creating mixed media and collages! To give you some ideas, I always have a few supplies for creating art (see some of my projects below). I love to combine different art mediums in layers. You can use some neat mixed media techniques with gesso and acrylic medium with older kids!
- Mixed Media Weight Paper (90-100lb)
- Cereal Box Cardboard (also good for a surface to create on)
- Acrylic gesso (to prime surfaces before painting, white)
- Gel medium (for adhesion and texture, clear)
- Tissue paper (for layering and texture)
- Craft paper (various colors and patterns)
- Assorted magazine cutouts (for collage elements)
- Washi tape (decorative and easy to use)
- Fabric scraps (for texture)
- Colored tissue paper (for vibrant layers)
- Oil pastels (for blending and vibrant colors)
- Buttons (assorted shapes and colors)
- Yarn or string (for added texture)
- Feathers (for interesting details)
- Aluminum foil (for metallic effects)
- Old books and atlases (for collage backgrounds)
I’m sure there are even more supplies I haven’t listed that you might have, so add them to your art cart!
Art Cart Resources to Save
We have plenty of art resources perfect to save for a rainy day! Learn color mixing, explore the 7 elements of art, try out fun art prompts, and more!
Printable Famous Artist Pack
You’ll find each of our famous artists featured in our Famous Artists Project Pack 👇 including a bonus Andy Warhol Coloring Book!
22+ artists and growing with unique projects not available on the website!
