Best Kids Art & Craft Supplies for South Bay Families 2026
Spring break in the South Bay runs about two weeks in late March and April. That's a lot of unstructured time. Having good art and craft supplies at home is one of the highest-value investments you can make per hour of entertainment. Here's what's worth buying.
South Bay kids get plenty of outdoor time. But when it's a morning marine layer day, or you just need two quiet hours, a good craft setup is invaluable. The picks below are things kids return to repeatedly — not one-use kits that get finished in an afternoon and forgotten.
1. Crayola Washable Watercolor Paint Set (36 Colors)
The washable watercolor set is the highest-value art supply for most families. 36 colors is enough variety to stay interesting. Crayola's washable formula genuinely washes off skin, clothes, and most surfaces with water — critical when kids are painting near carpet or furniture. This is the set art teachers recommend most often for home use.
Check Price on Amazon →2. Crayola Air Dry Clay (2.5 lbs, 4 Colors)
Air dry clay doesn't need a kiln or oven. Kids make something, it dries hard overnight (24-48 hours for full cure), and they can paint it. Crayola's air dry clay is non-toxic, comes in multiple colors, and the 2.5 lb multi-pack lasts multiple sessions. Perfect for spring break — kids can make something on Monday and paint it on Tuesday.
Check Price on Amazon →3. Klutz Sewing School Book & Kit
Klutz Sewing School is the gold standard intro-to-sewing kit for kids. It comes with everything — a needlebook, fabric squares, thread, and a step-by-step project book that starts with basic stitches and works up to small animals and accessories. Kids who get into sewing often stick with it for years. Good for the 8-12 age range, especially girls who are into making things.
Check Price on Amazon →4. Shrinky Dinks Complete Activity Kit
Shrinky Dinks have been around since the 1970s for a reason — the satisfaction of watching plastic shrink in the oven is genuinely magical for kids. Draw on the sheets, cut them out, bake for a few minutes, watch them shrink to a third of the size. The complete activity kit includes pre-printed designs plus blank sheets for original artwork. Good for a 1-2 hour focused session.
Check Price on Amazon →5. Alex Toys Friendship Bracelet Making Kit
Bracelet making is one of those activities that turns into a whole afternoon without any pushing. The ALEX Toys friendship bracelet kit includes enough thread, charms, and instructions for multiple finished bracelets. The Taylor Swift bracelet craze has made this even more of a thing with kids currently. Compact, no mess, easy to pack for travel too.
Check Price on Amazon →6. Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Rainbow Mini Notes
Scratch art is a perennial hit with kids because the rainbow colors revealed underneath the black scratch surface are always a surprise. The mini notes format means kids aren't committing to big sheets — they finish one, get satisfied, start another. Low mess, no drying time, easy cleanup. Great as a smaller addition to an Easter basket or activity bag.
Check Price on Amazon →Spring Break Activities Near You
Looking to get the kids out of the house? Check our South Bay events calendar for spring break camps, Easter egg hunts, and family activities happening in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, and Redondo Beach this April.
At a Glance
| Supply | Best For | Ages | Mess Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crayola Washable Watercolors | Painting, open-ended | 3+ | Low (washable) |
| Air Dry Clay | Sculpting, multi-session | 5+ | Medium |
| Klutz Sewing School | Focused project, skill building | 8–12 | Low |
| Shrinky Dinks | Oven activity, 1-2 hours | 6–12 | Low |
| Friendship Bracelet Kit | Social crafting, groups | 7–12 | Very Low |
| Scratch Art Mini Notes | Quick sessions, younger kids | 4–10 | Very Low |