These drawing tools are perfect for toddlers and young kids because they promote effective grasp patterns and give kids good control as they learn to make shapes and lines.
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If you live or work with toddlers and/or young preschoolers, you know that their favorite thing in the world to do is…whatever you’re doing. We’ve all been there, checking emails with a toddler in our lap, pounding away at the keyboard. Cooking dinner with a little helper who has to take a turn stirring and pouring every ingredient. Being trailed around the yard by a toddler pushing a toy lawnmower.
While this “monkey see, monkey do” phenomenon can be a little bit frustrating when you’re in a hurry or just trying to get things done, the good news is that when kids copy every little thing we do, they are developing all kinds of skills and becoming more and more independent.
As an OT, some of the most fun developmental skills to watch unfold in this way are drawing, prewriting, and early writing skills. Toddlers love markers, pens, and crayons! They see older kids and adults using them and before you know it, they’re at the table pretending to “do their work/homework” just like mom, dad, or older brother and sister.
This is the perfect opportunity to set kids up with developmentally appropriate drawing tools that are designed to promote effective grasp patterns and give little hands better control and accuracy as they begin to demonstrate drawing and prewriting skills.
The drawing tools below are great options for free drawing/coloring and can also be used with our simple drawing ideas and basic drawing ideas for kids.
The Best Beginner Drawing Tools
2 || Crayola Triangular Crayons
3 || Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Activity Pads
4 || Crayola My First Toddler Paint Brush Pen Set
5 || Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Kit
6 || Crayola Pip-Squeaks Markers
7 || Melissa & Doug Jumbo Triangular Crayons
8 || RoseArt Mini Colored Pencils Assorted Colors
10 || Yoobi Look On The Bright Side Mini Highlighters
12 || TBC Squeezable Brush Paints
What are your favorite drawing tools for younger kids? Share them in the comments below!
Learn more about why drawing is important for young kids!
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Nice and very interesting blog thanks for sharing.
The drawing tools you share are great. Very safe for children. I really like these drawing tools.
Crayon Rocks are my favorite for drawing with little hands! https://www.amazon.com/Crayon-Rocks-Colors-Red-Velvet/dp/B002EODQBA
I often choose crayon for my kids, gotta try your recommendations. Thank you for sharing!
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Crayola washable markers are really good pens. Washable, strong tips, and a good size for toddler’s hands. Don’t look any further – we’ve tried the cheaper ones but our kids just ended up with really odd colored hands as the ink wasn’t as washable as it should be. The ink in these comes off with baby wipes.