11 DIY Art Supplies You Can Make at Home with Your Kids

Art supplies can get expensive—especially when you have creative kids who love crafting every day! The good news? You can make your own DIY art supplies for kids using items you probably already have at home.

These homemade craft materials are not only affordable but also provide wonderful opportunities to connect with your children through hands-on fun. Let’s dive into 11 creative and easy art supplies you can make at home!

1. Homemade Glue

Skip the store-bought glue! You can make homemade glue using common pantry staples like flour, cornstarch, and milk. It’s a fun and easy recipe that gives kids a sense of pride in creating their own materials.

👉 Try recipes like these from Snappy Living.

2. DIY Slime

Slime is a hit for kids of all ages. Classic recipes use borax, but if you'd prefer a borax-free slime, there are safer alternatives too.

• Try this recipe from Home Science Tools

• Or go borax-free with CNET’s slime guide

3. Bubble Solution

Make your own bubble mixture in minutes using:

• ½ cup dish soap

• 1½ cups water

• 2 tsp sugar

No bubble wand? Use a straw and string! For epic bubbles, try this giant bubble wand guide from PBS.

4. Sidewalk Chalk

All you need for DIY chalk is:

• Plaster of Paris

• Powdered tempera paint

• A mixing bowl

• Molds (toilet rolls work great!)

Get full instructions from Instructables here.

5. Homemade Paint

Save money and get creative with DIY paint recipes like:

• Watercolour

• Puffy paint

• Edible paint

Check out Happy Hooligans’ guide to 11 homemade paints.

6. Play Dough

Making your own play dough is simple and fun! Combine:

• 1 cup flour

• ¼ cup salt

• ½ cup water

• A few drops of food colouring

Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine until it’s doughy perfection.

7. Coloured Sand

Create vibrant DIY coloured sand by:

• Dividing sand into plastic bags

• Adding food colouring

• Letting kids shake and mix it up

It’s a hands-on sensory activity that’s also beautiful for art!

8. Coloured Pasta

Coloured pasta is perfect for crafting necklaces, collages, and more.

You’ll need:

• Dry pasta

• Food colouring

• 2 tbsp vinegar per bag

• Ziplock bags and paper towels

Let the kids shake and mix, then dry the pasta completely before using.

9. DIY Stamps

You don’t need fancy stamps. Kids can make their own using:

• Potatoes

• Bottle tops

• Apples

• Corks

Pair them with your DIY paint (see #5) or store-bought ink pads. Check out Apartment Therapy’s stamp-making tips.

10. Coloured Rice

Use food colouring and vinegar to create DIY coloured rice for sensory bins or art.

• Combine rice, ¼ cup vinegar, and food colouring in a bag

• Let kids mix

• Dry on paper towels before use

11. Lickable Sticker Glue

Transform paper drawings into stickers using homemade lickable glue. It’s a fun activity that lets kids create their own sticker collection!

🧴 Find the recipe at Aunt Annie’s Crafts

Why Make DIY Art Supplies at Home?

Making art materials together turns everyday items into meaningful memories. Whether it’s rainy day crafting, a homeschool project, or just a fun afternoon, these homemade supplies spark creativity and teach kids valuable life skills.

👉 Looking for more activities? Explore our free art lesson plans or check out seasonal art projects.