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Quick answer: A good starter shelf of craft supplies for 2 year olds needs only a few things: chunky crayons such as Crayola Large Crayons, washable Soucolor dot markers, a toddler paint kit like the ABEIER washable finger paint set, and plenty of paper. Add Crayola toddler safety scissors later in the year if your child shows interest in snipping.
Buying craft supplies for 2 year olds is less about variety and more about the right basics. A big box of pom-poms, sequins and googly eyes looks exciting, but most of it is designed for older children and much of it is small enough to swallow. Two-year-olds do best with a short list of chunky, washable tools they can use with growing independence, plus a few guided projects for when you want something to show for the afternoon.
This guide covers what to stock, how to store it so it actually gets used, and six supplies that suit the age: giant crayons, dot markers, finger paint with tools, spill-proof paint, a no-glue paper plate kit and training scissors. Where a product’s age label is older than two, we say so, so you can decide how closely to supervise.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Crayola Large Crayons, 8 Count — Best first drawing tool
- Soucolor Dot Markers, 8 Colors — Best easy-win painting tool
- ABEIER Washable Finger Paint Kit, 12 Colors, 18 Tools — Best sensory paint kit
- V-Opitos 12 Pack Animal Paper Plate Crafts — Best guided craft project
- Crayola Spill Proof Paint Set — Best first brush painting set
- Crayola Toddler Safety Scissors, 3 Pack — Best first scissors
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crayola Large Crayons | First drawing | 8 large crayons, classic colors | Sized for small hands | $ |
| Soucolor Dot Markers | Instant painting | 8 washable colors, sponge tips | Easy for any grip | $ |
| ABEIER Finger Paint Kit | Sensory painting | 12 washable colors, 18 tools, bucket | Tools for different marks | $$ |
| V-Opitos Paper Plate Crafts | Guided project | 12 animals, foam adhesives | No glue needed | $ |
| Crayola Spill Proof Paint | Brush painting | 5 paints in spill-proof jars, brush, 20 sheets | Less spilling | $ |
| Crayola Safety Scissors | First cutting | 3 pairs: straight, wavy, zigzag; plastic blades | Blunt tips | $ |
How We Chose
These picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each supply matches a two-year-old’s grip, attention span and safety needs, and how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not used these with our own children. Descriptions and age labels are taken from the listings, and we excluded a general craft supply kit from the candidates because its sequins, buttons and googly eyes are better suited to older children.
- Grip-friendly: chunky or wide tools for a whole-hand grasp.
- Washable and non-toxic: as stated by the maker.
- No small loose parts: or parts an adult can easily control.
- Reusable: supplies that last for many sessions.
- Clear age labeling: noted where it is older than two.
The Essential Toddler Craft Shelf
You do not need to buy everything at once. A practical starter shelf for a two-year-old looks like this:
- Drawing: chunky crayons and a roll or pad of large paper.
- Painting: dot markers, washable finger paint and a couple of fat brushes or sponges.
- Sticking: a washable glue stick, large stickers and contact paper.
- Making: one or two simple guided kits for special days.
- Later in the year: blunt-tip training scissors and play dough.
- Protection: a smock or old shirt and a wipeable mat.
Best Craft Supplies for 2 Year Olds Reviewed
1. Crayola Large Crayons, Assorted, 8 Count — Best for First Drawing Tool
A two-year-old’s first drawing tool should be big enough to grip in a fist and sturdy enough to survive pressing hard. Crayola’s Large Crayons are sized for little hands and come in eight classic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown and black.
Note the labeling: the product title says ages 2+, while the bullet describes them as safe and nontoxic for ages 3 and up. Many families use large crayons with two-year-olds under supervision; check the packaging and decide what suits your child.
Best suited for: everyday scribbling, coloring books and first drawing.
Key features:
- 8 large crayons
- Classic Crayola colors
- Sized for small hands
- Nontoxic, per listing
Pros:
- Easy to grip
- Inexpensive
- Trusted brand
Cons and limitations:
- Age labeling is inconsistent between title and bullets
- Can still break with very hard pressure
Buying consideration: Peel the paper off one crayon and use it on its side for wide, textured strokes; toddlers love the effect.
2. Soucolor Dot Markers for Toddlers, 8 Colors — Best for Easy-Win Painting Tool
Dot markers give a two-year-old instant success: press down and a round splash of color appears. Soucolor’s set includes 8 colors with round sponge tips and a water-based, non-toxic formula that, according to the listing, washes off hands, clothes and surfaces.
They work for dot art, coloring and dot-to-dot activities and are a good bridge between crayons and real paint.
Best suited for: daily art time, quick activities and color learning.
Key features:
- 8 washable colors
- Round sponge tips
- Water-based, non-toxic, per listing
Pros:
- Very easy for toddlers
- Low mess
- Inexpensive
Cons and limitations:
- Caps are small; keep track of them
- May bleed through thin paper
Buying consideration: Draw large circles on paper for the child to fill; it introduces aiming without pressure.
3. ABEIER Washable Finger Paint Kit for Toddlers 1-3 — Best for Sensory Paint Kit
Finger paint is the classic sensory craft, and this ABEIER kit adds 18 smooth-edged painting tools, such as sponges, stampers and shaped brushes, to 12 colors of washable, non-toxic finger paint. Everything stores in a carry bucket.
The tools are the reason to choose a kit over a single tub of paint: they let a two-year-old discover different marks without fine motor control.
Best suited for: sensory play, rainy days and families comfortable with some mess.
Key features:
- 12 washable finger paint colors
- 18 assorted painting tools
- Carry bucket
- Marketed for toddlers 1-3
Pros:
- Lots of variety
- Smooth-edged tools
- Easy storage
Cons and limitations:
- Messier than dot markers
- Paper not included
Buying consideration: Paint on the inside of a large cardboard box; it contains splatter and becomes a mini art studio.
4. V-Opitos 12 Pack Animal Paper Plate Crafts — Best for Guided Craft Project
Most toddler art is open-ended, but a guided project now and then gives a two-year-old the joy of making something recognizable. This kit includes 12 animal pattern cards, 12 colored paper plates and 144 double-sided foam adhesives, so pre-cut parts stick on with no glue.
An adult will need to peel the adhesive backing, but the child can choose where each part goes.
Best suited for: special-occasion crafts, playdates and a finished piece for the fridge.
Key features:
- 12 animal designs
- 12 paper plates
- 144 foam adhesives
- Marketed for ages 2-5
Pros:
- No glue
- Finished craft
- Twelve projects
Cons and limitations:
- Adult help needed
- Small adhesive backings to clear away
Buying consideration: Keep the backing papers in a cup as you peel so none end up on the floor.
5. Crayola Spill Proof Paint Set — Best for First Brush Painting
When a two-year-old wants to paint with a brush like an older sibling, open paint cups usually end up on the floor. Crayola’s spill-proof set uses semi-solid washable paints in reusable jars designed to prevent spills and drips, with 1 brush, 20 sheets of paper and an instruction sheet.
Crayola labels the formula for ages 3 and up, so use it with an older two-year-old and an adult beside them.
Best suited for: older twos ready to try brush painting with supervision.
Key features:
- 5 washable semi-solid paints in spill-proof jars
- 1 brush
- 20 sheets of paper
- Labeled for ages 3+
Pros:
- Reduces spills
- Includes paper
- Washes off skin and most clothing
Cons and limitations:
- Labeled for ages 3 and up
- Single thin brush
Buying consideration: Swap in a chunky toddler brush; it is easier to hold than a slim brush.
6. Crayola Toddler Safety Scissors, 3 Pack — Best for First Scissors
Scissors are usually the last supply to add for a two-year-old, but plastic training scissors are a gentle start. Crayola’s 3-pack includes straight, wavy and zigzag blades, made with plastic blades and rounded tips for “ouch-free” paper cutting.
The ergonomic handles suit both left and right-handed children. Many toddlers will start by holding the paper while an adult cuts, then try single snips on narrow strips.
Best suited for: children approaching three who show interest in cutting, with close supervision.
Key features:
- 3 safety scissors
- Straight, wavy and zigzag blades
- Plastic blades, rounded tips
- Left and right-handed use
Pros:
- Plastic blades
- Fun cutting patterns
- Very inexpensive
Cons and limitations:
- Plastic blades cut only paper
- Many two-year-olds are not ready yet
Buying consideration: Cut narrow strips of paper about an inch wide so one snip cuts all the way through; quick success keeps interest high.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Craft Supplies for 2 Year Olds
Chunky over small
Two-year-olds grip with the whole hand. Large crayons, fat markers, sponges and short, thick brushes are easier to control.
Washable and non-toxic
Choose supplies labeled washable and non-toxic, and expect a little tasting. Supervise every session.
Avoid small loose parts
Beads, sequins, buttons, pom-poms and googly eyes are choking hazards at this age. Save them for three and up.
Read age labels
Products labeled 3+ may still be used by older twos with an adult close by, but the label reflects safety testing, so take it seriously.
Buy refills, not more kits
Paper and paint run out; tools last. Restock basics rather than buying new boxes.
Think about where art happens
If art time happens at a high chair, small supplies that fit on a tray work best. At a toddler table, larger paper and paint kits make sense. For outdoor art on a patio or balcony, finger paint and big paper are perfect because cleanup is a hose or a bucket of water. Buy for the space you actually use.
Store for easy access
A low shelf with one tray of supplies invites independent art time. Keep paint and scissors higher, for supervised use.
What to Expect at This Age
Craft skills grow quickly between two and three, so it helps to know what is typical. Early in the year, most children scribble with a whole-arm motion, bang crayons on the page and are more interested in the feel of paint than the picture. As the months pass, scribbles become more controlled, with back-and-forth lines and the first attempts at circles. Many children begin to name what they have drawn, even if it looks nothing like it to an adult, and start to show color preferences.
Fine motor skills follow a similar path. Peeling stickers, pressing foam pieces and pinching play dough get easier, and by around three some children can make single snips with training scissors. Every child moves at their own pace, so use these as a rough guide rather than a checklist, and choose supplies that let your child succeed today.
Five Easy Activities with Your New Supplies
- Crayon rubbings: place leaves or coins under paper and rub with the side of a peeled large crayon.
- Dot marker caterpillar: draw a line and let your child stamp dots along it, then add a face.
- Sponge stamp garden: dip sponges from the finger paint kit in paint and stamp flowers on a green paper “lawn.”
- Color sorting collage: glue torn paper of one color onto a sheet, then try another color next day.
- Snip-a-strip: for children ready for scissors, cut narrow strips into confetti and glue it onto a card.
Storage and Setup Tips
A tidy setup makes crafts easier to start and finish. Use a shallow tray for the day’s supplies so everything stays within reach of the table. Rotate materials weekly: crayons and stickers one week, dot markers and paint the next. Tape paper to the table, and keep wipes, a damp cloth and a small bin for scraps nearby. A child-size table and chair, or a high chair with a tray, helps a two-year-old stay seated a little longer.
For more activity ideas that use these basics, see our easy daycare crafts for 1-year-olds, many of which still suit young twos. Older siblings can work alongside on a painted birdhouse DIY craft while the toddler paints with dot markers.
Keeping Costs Down
Toddler craft supplies are inexpensive individually, but impulse buys add up. Buy paper in bulk, since it is the supply that runs out fastest, and reuse cardboard boxes, egg cartons, paper towel tubes and junk mail as free craft materials. Tools like dot markers, scissors and finger paint tools last for many months, so a few good basics will see a two-year-old through the whole year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a big kit of tiny parts. Most of it suits older children.
- Offering everything at once. One or two supplies per session keeps focus.
- Using small paper. Big sheets suit big arm movements.
- Leaving caps and lids around. Collect them as you go.
- Introducing scissors too early. Wait for interest and readiness.
- Expecting neat results. Exploration is the goal.
FAQs
What craft supplies should a 2 year old have?
Large crayons, washable dot markers, washable finger paint with a few tools, large paper, a glue stick, big stickers and, later, blunt-tip training scissors.
Are crayons safe for 2 year olds?
Large, non-toxic crayons are widely used by two-year-olds with supervision. Check the age label on the packaging; some list ages 3 and up.
When can toddlers use scissors?
Many children start trying plastic training scissors between two and three, with close supervision. Some are not ready until later, and that is normal.
What craft supplies are not safe for toddlers?
Small loose parts such as beads, sequins, buttons, googly eyes and pom-poms, along with permanent markers, glitter and sharp tools.
How do I make toddler crafts less messy?
Use dot markers and spill-proof paints, tape paper down, cover the table and dress your child in a smock.
What is the best paint for 2 year olds?
Washable finger paint or dot markers made for toddlers. Spill-proof paint sets are useful for older twos learning to use a brush.
Final Recommendation
Stock Crayola Large Crayons and Soucolor dot markers first; they cover daily drawing and painting with minimal mess. Add the ABEIER finger paint kit for sensory play and the V-Opitos paper plate kit for days when you want a finished project. As your child nears three, the Crayola Spill Proof Paint Set and the Crayola toddler safety scissors are the natural next steps, both used with an adult close by.
