PaintingProGuide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick answer: Paint by number kits are worth it if you want a relaxing, low-cost hobby with a finished picture at the end, or a gentle way to practice brush control. They are not worth it if you want to learn drawing, composition or color mixing, because the kit makes those decisions for you. Good value starting points include the ZICOTO two-canvas 16 x 20 kit (two scenes, 24 paints each) and, if you want framed canvases and an easel, the Fountor four-pack framed landscape kit.
A paint by number kit is a pre-printed canvas divided into small numbered areas, a set of tiny pots of acrylic paint with matching numbers, a few brushes and usually a reference sheet. You fill each area with its matching color, and over several sessions the picture builds itself. The format dates back to the 1950s and has had a big revival among adults looking for screen-free, mindful hobbies.
So are paint by number kits worth it? The honest answer depends on what you expect. Below is a clear look at what you get, what kits do well, where they fall short and who they suit, followed by seven current kits and how to choose a good one.
What Comes in a Paint by Number Kit
- Canvas: printed with outlines and numbers, either rolled (frameless), stretched on a wood frame or on a board. Some newer kits print a faint color guide on the canvas (“HD color canvas”) to help you see which area is which.
- Paint: small sealed pots of acrylic, numbered to match the canvas.
- Brushes: usually three or four small synthetic brushes.
- Reference: a printed copy of the finished image or a numbered guide.
- Hanging hardware: hooks and screws in many kits.
What Paint by Number Kits Do Well
Remove decision fatigue
Every choice is already made. For many adults, that is exactly the appeal: you sit down and paint without worrying about what to paint or whether it is “good.”
Build brush control
Filling small areas cleanly to a line is genuine practice in loading a brush, controlling pressure and painting edges. Those skills carry over to freehand painting.
Deliver a finished piece
Completing a 16 x 20 painting gives a strong sense of achievement, and framed kits can go straight on the wall.
Offer affordable, portable relaxation
Kits typically cost about the same as a movie ticket or two, and everything fits in one box on a kitchen table.
Work for groups and couples
Multi-canvas kits make good date-night or family activities, similar to a sip-and-paint evening at home.
Where Paint by Number Kits Fall Short
You will not learn drawing or composition
The outlines and placement are given, so you skip the hardest parts of painting.
Limited color mixing
Colors are premixed, and blending is minimal. The result tends to look flat and “patchy” compared with a painted original, especially in skies and skin.
Paint quality varies
Some kits include thin paint that needs two coats to hide numbers, and pots can dry out if not sealed between sessions.
Small areas can be tedious
Highly detailed kits may have hundreds of tiny shapes. If that sounds stressful rather than calming, choose a simpler design.
Brushes are basic
Included brushes are often small and soft and wear quickly. A cheap fine detail brush is a worthwhile upgrade.
Who Paint by Number Kits Are Worth It For
- Adults who want a calming, screen-free hobby.
- Complete beginners nervous about a blank canvas.
- Seniors seeking a gentle, absorbing activity (choose larger shapes).
- Couples and friends planning a painting night at home.
- Gift givers looking for an experience rather than an object.
They are less worthwhile for people who already paint freehand, or who want to improve observational skills, composition or color theory.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- ZICOTO Paint by Number Kit with 2 Canvases — Best value two-design kit
- Fountor 4-Pack Framed Landscapes with Easel — Best multi-canvas framed set
- LWZAYS 4-Pack Framed Florals with Easel — Best floral set for gifting
- Yezavesu Framed 10 x 10 Flowers and Book — Best small framed starter kit
- ldazao Mountain Cabin 16 x 20 Kit — Best single landscape kit
- CHWGLFGG Wild Flowers 16 x 20 Kit — Best budget frameless floral
- BYGFHLYW Hummingbird 16 x 16 Kit — Best animal subject
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZICOTO 2-Canvas | Value and date nights | 2 x 16×20 canvases, 2 x 24 paints, 2 x 4 brushes | Two scenes in one box | $ |
| Fountor 4-Pack | Framed sets | 4 framed HD color canvases, easel, 12 brushes | Color canvas eases matching | $$ |
| LWZAYS 4-Pack | Floral gifts | 4 framed 8×12 color canvases, easel, gift box | Ready to display | $$ |
| Yezavesu 10×10 | Small starter | Framed 10×10 canvas, 3 brushes | Arrives stretched | $ |
| ldazao Mountain | Single landscape | 16×20 pre-printed canvas, 3 brushes | Clear numbers per listing | $ |
| CHWGLFGG Wild Flowers | Budget floral | 16×20 frameless canvas, 3 brushes, hooks | Low price tier | $ |
| BYGFHLYW Hummingbird | Animal theme | 16×16 textured canvas, odorless acrylics | Vacuum-sealed paints | $ |
How We Chose
We did not complete these kits ourselves. Picks are based on the Amazon listing details checked in October 2026, how complete and clearly described each kit is (canvas type, paint count, brushes, framing), how well its size and subject suit beginners and how widely each kit has been reviewed by Amazon buyers.
- Canvas format: framed, stretched or frameless, and whether a color-printed guide is included.
- Completeness: paints, brushes, reference sheet and hanging hardware.
- Size and complexity: manageable designs for beginners.
- Value: number of canvases per kit and price tier.
Paint by Number Kits Worth Considering
1. ZICOTO Paint by Number Kit with 2 Canvases — Best for value and date nights
ZICOTO includes two 16 x 20 inch canvas designs, a Mediterranean seascape and a French countryside, each with its own 24 acrylic paints, four brushes and a hanger set, plus a reference sheet. The canvas has a frameable border.
Two designs in one box make this a natural couples or friends kit, and a good-value way to see if you enjoy the hobby before buying more.
Best suited for: couples, friends and first-time painters.
Key features:
- 2 canvases, 16 x 20 in
- 2 x 24 acrylic paints
- 2 x 4 brushes
- 2 hanger sets and reference sheet
Pros:
- Two projects for one price
- Generous paint count
- Frameable border
Cons and limitations:
- Canvases are not pre-stretched
- Detailed scenes take many sessions
Buying consideration: Tape the canvas flat to a board while painting; frameless canvases can ripple as paint dries.
2. Fountor 4-Pack Framed Landscape Kit with Wooden Easel — Best for a multi-canvas framed set
Fountor’s kit includes four framed “environmental color” canvases, a wooden easel, four sets of acrylic paints, 12 brushes and eight hooks. The canvases are printed with HD color, so number areas are easier to distinguish, a real help for beginners.
Four smaller framed landscapes give you quick wins and enough variety to stay interested.
Best suited for: beginners, families and gift givers.
Key features:
- 4 framed color canvases
- Wooden easel
- 4 paint sets, 12 brushes
- 8 hooks
Pros:
- Color-printed canvases simplify matching
- Framed and ready to hang
- Easel included
Cons and limitations:
- Smaller canvases than 16 x 20 kits
- Color guide shows through thin paint
Buying consideration: Apply two thin coats rather than one thick one so the printed color underneath does not show.
3. LWZAYS 4-Pack Framed Floral Kit with Easel — Best for floral gifts
LWZAYS offers four framed 8 x 12 inch floral color canvases with a wooden easel, four paint sets, 12 nylon brushes, eight hooks and screws, four color postcard guides and a gift box.
Small framed florals are quick to finish and look good grouped on a wall, which makes this a thoughtful gift.
Best suited for: gift giving and short sessions.
Key features:
- 4 framed 8 x 12 in canvases
- Wooden easel, gift box
- 12 nylon brushes
- Color postcard guides
Pros:
- Gift-ready packaging
- Quick to complete
- Framed
Cons and limitations:
- Small size
- Floral only
Buying consideration: Hang the finished four as a grid for a cohesive look.
4. Yezavesu Framed 10 x 10 Paint by Numbers (Book and Flowers) — Best for a small framed starter kit
Yezavesu’s 10 x 10 canvas arrives already stretched on a wood frame, with three brushes and a set of acrylic paints. The listing notes the frame keeps the canvas wrinkle-free.
A small, framed kit is the gentlest introduction: you can finish it in a few evenings and immediately display it.
Best suited for: absolute beginners and anyone wanting a quick first project.
Key features:
- 10 x 10 in framed canvas
- 3 brushes
- Acrylic paint set
Pros:
- Pre-framed
- Fast to finish
- Low price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Small size limits detail
- Only three brushes
Buying consideration: Start with the largest areas and lightest colors, then move to small dark areas.
5. ldazao Mountain Cabin 16 x 20 Kit — Best for a single landscape kit
ldazao includes a 16 x 20 pre-printed canvas, a set of acrylic paints, three brushes of different sizes and a hook set. The listing says the numbers are clear and easy to read and the paints are waterproof and fade-free when dry.
A mountain cabin scene is a classic subject with plenty of mid-sized areas, which suits relaxed painting sessions.
Best suited for: landscape lovers and solo painters.
Key features:
- 16 x 20 in canvas
- Acrylic paint set
- 3 brushes
- Hook set
Pros:
- Popular subject
- Clear numbering
- Mid price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Canvas not described as framed
Buying consideration: Paint the sky first in smooth strokes, then work forward through the landscape.
6. CHWGLFGG Wild Flowers 16 x 20 Kit — Best for a budget frameless floral
This kit includes one frameless 16 x 20 canvas, three brushes, a color postcard guide and wall-mounted hooks and screws. It is one of the least expensive full-size kits.
Frameless kits are cheaper and easier to ship but need stretching or taping while you paint.
Best suited for: budget buyers and repeat hobbyists.
Key features:
- 16 x 20 in frameless canvas
- 3 brushes
- Color postcard guide
- Hooks and screws
Pros:
- Low price tier
- Full-size canvas
- Bright floral subject
Cons and limitations:
- Frameless, so needs a board or frame
- Basic brushes
Buying consideration: Iron the canvas from the back on low heat before you start to remove fold lines.
7. BYGFHLYW Hummingbird 16 x 16 Kit — Best for an animal subject
BYGFHLYW supplies a 16 x 16 pre-printed textured canvas, odorless acrylic paints in vacuum-sealed packaging, brushes and two hooks and nails.
Vacuum sealing helps paints stay fresh in storage, and the hummingbird subject makes a colorful change from landscapes.
Best suited for: animal and bird lovers.
Key features:
- 16 x 16 in textured canvas
- Odorless acrylic paints, vacuum sealed
- Brushes, 2 hooks and nails
Pros:
- Fresh paint on arrival
- Colorful subject
- Square format
Cons and limitations:
- Feathers mean many small areas
Buying consideration: Use a fine detail brush of your own for the smallest feather sections.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Paint by Number Kit That Is Worth It
Pick the right complexity
Look closely at listing photos of the numbered canvas. Fewer, larger areas are relaxing; hundreds of tiny areas are a long, detailed project.
Framed or frameless
Framed kits are easier to paint and hang. Frameless kits cost less but need taping or stretching.
Color-printed canvas
HD color canvases make matching easier but can show through thin paint. Plain canvases show numbers more clearly but require two coats in light areas.
Paint quantity and sealing
More pots per color and sealed packaging reduce the risk of running out or drying up.
Size
10 x 10 to 12 x 16 kits finish in a few sessions. 16 x 20 kits take longer and look better on a wall.
Upgrade the brushes
A couple of fine synthetic detail brushes make edges cleaner and the whole process more enjoyable.
Tips for Better Paint by Number Results
- Work from top to bottom and from light colors to dark to avoid smudging.
- Close each pot as soon as you finish with it.
- Apply a second thin coat where numbers still show.
- Soften hard edges between similar colors with a slightly damp brush for a more painterly look.
- Finish with a thin coat of acrylic varnish to even out sheen and protect the surface.
Planning a social painting night? See our sip and paint ideas for themes and setup tips that work with kits or freehand painting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a highly detailed design for your first kit.
- Leaving paint pots open between sessions.
- Painting dark colors first and smudging them with light areas later.
- Using too much paint at once, which hides the outlines of neighboring areas.
- Skipping a second coat where numbers show through.
- Hanging a frameless canvas without stretching or framing it.
FAQs
Are paint by number kits worth it for adults?
Yes, if you want a relaxing hobby with a finished picture. They are less useful if your goal is to learn drawing, composition or color mixing.
Do paint by numbers help you learn to paint?
They help with brush control, paint handling and patience. They do not teach composition, observation or mixing, which you learn by painting freehand.
How long does a paint by number kit take?
Small 10 x 10 kits may take a few hours. Detailed 16 x 20 kits can take 15 to 30 hours over several weeks.
Why do paint by number kits look patchy?
Each area is a flat, premixed color with hard edges. Softening edges and adding a second coat improves the look.
What do I do if the paint dries out?
Add a drop or two of water and stir. If it has fully hardened, mix a replacement from similar colors using the reference sheet.
Can I frame a paint by number painting?
Yes. Frameless canvases can be stretched over bars or mounted on board and placed in a standard frame; framed kits can hang as they are. A thin coat of varnish before framing evens out the sheen between colors.
Are framed or frameless kits better?
Framed kits are easier to paint and hang. Frameless kits are cheaper but need a board or frame.
Final Recommendation
Paint by number kits are worth it as a relaxing, affordable hobby and a gentle introduction to brush handling. For the best value, the ZICOTO two-canvas kit gives you two full-size projects in one box. If you want framed results and an easel, choose the Fountor landscape four-pack or the LWZAYS floral four-pack for gifting. The Yezavesu 10 x 10 framed kit is the easiest first project, while ldazao, CHWGLFGG and BYGFHLYW offer single full-size designs in landscape, floral and animal themes. When you find yourself wanting to choose your own colors, that is the sign you are ready for freehand painting.
One Comment