Gifts to Inspire Creativity in Kids for Under $20

Do you have a mini-Michelangelo on your hands? Is your little person a Picasso in the making? Or do you just want your kids to know how to be creative?

While they may not be an artist when they grow up most kids aren’t getting enough creativity in their day-to-day play or at school, so encouraging art is a great way to get them engaged with their creative side.

I dabble in art myself and find it offers an expressive outlet that I don’t find in any other medium. Despite writing for a living I find that visual art evokes something different in us all, and teaching your kids to embrace their mistakes and coloring outside the lines can be extremely helpful in every aspect of their lives.

Below I’ve picked a variety of gift ideas to encourage your little artists (and some you may want for yourselves!)

Best Gifts to Inspire Creativity in Kids

1. eeBoo Pencil and Sketchpad Set

This is a must for any child (or adult!). Featuring a variety of themes you can purchase a sketchpad and pencils to encourage their creative side. The fun patterns and themes make this a favorite in our house.

eeBoo kindly sent use these eeBoo Striped Biggies Color Pencils and Sharpener and matching sketchpad for a great holiday gift for someone on my list. (shhhh!)

Available at local toy retailers. Look on eeBoo.com for more fun art items, games, and more! You can find a local store via eeBoo’s store locator.

2. The Anti-Coloring Book

The Anti-Coloring Book is a great way to get kids to access their creativity without typical coloring boo pages. Instead this book offers prompts to get kids inspired to create the world they see in their head instead of coloring in-between the lines.

The Anti-Coloring Book is available on Amazon for $12.89.

3. Wreck This Journal

This is a GREAT way to engage kids (and adults) who don’t consider themselves artists to create. The book literally encourages you to wreck it. the first page implores you to carry it with you wherever you go, follow the instructions, ignore the order, interpret the instructions how you want, and experiment.

One page for example says “crack the spine,” while another asks you to “leave this page blank on purpose,” others include fun things like throwing something to hit a target, spilling coffee on the page, or even poking holes.

Two of my kids purchased this with their own money and LOVED carrying it around for weeks at a time.

Wreck This Journal sold for $15, available on Amazon for $8.52 with free shipping.

4. The Art Book for Children

This book is made for kids but grownups will love it, too. It includes all sorts of art from medieval times to modern art you’ll be exposed to all types of art that will not only help you learn a lot about art throughout history, but will leave you wanting more.

The Art Book for Children on Amazon for $13.31.

5. Ed Emberley’s drawing book of…

These are easily accessible for kids and offer a variety of themes. I chose this animal-themed book because most kids adore animals. The book makes it easy to figure out how to draw step by simple step.

Before you know it your kids will be creating all sorts of drawings and pictures.

Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals on Amazon for $6.

6. Coloring Animal Mandalas

My online friend, Wendy, created this amazing animal mandala coloring book. this is kind of the polar opposite to the ‘dont’ color between the lines’ ideas in other books,because mandalas encourage you to color in the lines in a very focused and detailed way! Mandalas are amazingly detailed and can be very meditative to complete. This is a great way to encourage focus in our harried lives. It doesn’t hurt that the end product turns out amazing either!
Coloring Animal Mandalas on Amazon for $8.77.

Bonus Gift Idea: Membership to a Local Art Museum

Every museum has programs in place for kids, and your local museum is likely no exception. We’re fortunate in the Philadelphia area to have a great number of art museums so closeby-the most well-known being the Art Museum of Philadelphia aka Rocky’s workout steps. 😉

Look online for your local art museum and find out what types of offerings they have for kids. Many offer preschool-teenage offerings to help engage kids in hands-on experience and a variety of family friendly exhibits for kids and parents to enjoy.

Look for free museum days or discounted days (often on Sundays). Even though membership may not be $20, consider a membership based on the number of visits. While $200 may seem like a lot if you visit 4 times a year with a family of 5 that’s only $10/visit. Don’t forget to inquire about if the museum membership is tax-deductible for even bigger savings.

Philadelphia Art Museum membership offers membership for families for $185 with a portion tax-deductible or upgrade to the Ambassador Membership which includes reciprocal membership to other museums for $225. Find all membership options here.

What art gift ideas are you giving this holiday season?

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Over the past several weeks I have shared holiday gift picks and ideas on a budget. You’ll find everything you need for a centsible holiday here! Start with our Ultimate Holiday Planning Guide and explore our Holiday Gift Guide postsfor tons of ideas for everyone on your list.

Kelly