The best kids' craft kits
Screen-free afternoons that end with something to keep: clay animals, painted rocks, marbled paper and window art for 5 to 12-year-olds.
The best craft kits have everything in the box, instructions a child can follow, and something they're proud of at the end. We've picked kits that use different skills, so there's one for the careful sewer, the messy painter and the child who'd rather be outside.
Think about mess and supervision too. Clay and paint need a wipe-clean table; sewing and window art are tidier. Most of these suit ages 5 or 6 and up, and younger children will want a grown-up alongside.
What matters
- Age: check the recommended age and how much help they'll need.
- Everything in the box, so there's no emergency trip to the shops.
- Mess: wipe-clean clay and paint, or tidy sewing and window art.
- Something to keep or give away at the end.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Sago Brothers Air Dry Clay (24 colours)
£10–£20 Price range
Twenty-four colours of soft, light clay that dries hard in the air, no oven needed, with three tools and a 72-page book of 50-plus things to make. It's squishy enough for small hands, and two colours mix to make a new one.
What owners say: Parents say it keeps children busy for hours, love the range of colours and the booklet full of ideas, and find the clay soft and easy to shape.
Heads up: Models take 5 to 24 hours to dry, so plan a make-today, paint-tomorrow weekend, and put leftover clay back in its bag so it stays soft.
A closer look: Once dry, the models can be painted, which turns it into a second activity. It's fine from age 3 with a grown-up keeping an eye on things.
- 24 colours
- Dries in the air, no oven
- 72-page idea book
- 3 modelling tools
- Resealable storage bags
Best for: Makers of all ages
- Ages
- 3+
- What they make
- Models to keep and paint
- In the box
- 24 clays, 3 tools, 72-page book
#2 of 5
Best for outdoor fun
JOYIN Glow-in-the-Dark Rock Painting Kit
£10–£20 Price range
Smooth rocks, three kinds of paint (standard, metallic and glow-in-the-dark), gems and stickers for turning pebbles into creatures, patterns or kindness rocks to hide round the park. The glow paint makes a night-time rock hunt in the garden a real adventure.
What owners say: Parents say it's a fantastic family activity, with vibrant paints that look great, and good value for money.
A closer look: Leave the glow-painted rocks under a bright light before bedtime so they shine in the dark. A coat of clear varnish helps rocks that live outdoors last longer.
- Rocks included
- Glow-in-the-dark paints
- Metallic paints and glitter glue
- Gems and stickers
- Ages 6+
Best for: Rock hunts and garden fun
- Ages
- 6+
- What they make
- Painted rocks that glow
- In the box
- Rocks, 17 paints, gems, stickers, brushes
#3 of 5
Best first sewing kit
Galt First Sewing Kit
Under £10 Price range
Five little projects, a butterfly bag, a neck purse, a picture frame, a notepad cover and a pencil case, with pre-punched foam and blunt plastic needles, so there's nothing sharp to worry about.
What owners say: Parents say it's better than they expected, a hit with children, easy with a little help, and great for learning the first steps of sewing.
A closer look: Thread the first needle together, then let them take over: the holes are already made, so it's all about in, out and pulling through. The sparkly gems let them finish each piece their own way.
- 5 sewing projects
- Pre-punched foam pieces
- Plastic needles
- Cord, gems and stencils
- Ages 5+
Best for: Learning to sew
- Ages
- 5+
- What they make
- 5 foam projects to use
- In the box
- Foam pieces, cord, needles, gems, stencils
#4 of 5
Best mess-free
Imagimake Window Art: Princess
£10–£20 Price range
Paint princesses, mermaids and fairies with peelable glass paint, then peel them off and stick them on the window, where the sun lights them up. The heads, hair and bodies swap round to make up to 64 different characters.
What owners say: Parents say it's a great kit that gives hours of fun, easy to use and good value, and keeps older children entertained too.
A closer look: Let the paint dry completely before peeling, and the designs lift off cleanly. The suncatchers hang on suction cups, so they can move from window to window.
- Peel-off glass paints
- Up to 64 character combinations
- 4 mini suncatchers
- Suction cups included
- Ages 5+
Best for: Tidy, sparkly crafting
- Ages
- 5+
- What they make
- Window stickers and suncatchers
- In the box
- 11 glass paints, 16 pieces, suction cups
#5 of 5
Most magical results
Coodoo Water Marbling Kit
£10–£20 Price range
Drop the paints onto the special liquid, swirl them with a needle and lay paper on top: every print comes out different. It's based on ebru, the Turkish art of marbling, which is on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
What owners say: Parents say it's a brilliant set that keeps children entertained, gives lovely results and makes a great gift at any age.
Heads up: The powder has to be stirred into water and left for 4 to 5 hours before it's ready, so mix it the night before.
A closer look: The dried prints make lovely wrapping paper, cards and bookmarks, so it's a good one to do before birthdays or Christmas.
- 6 marbling paints
- 20 sheets of paper
- Tray, needles and pipette
- Every print unique
- Ages 6+
Best for: Unique prints and cards
- Ages
- 6+
- What they make
- 20 marbled prints
- In the box
- 6 paints, 20 sheets, tray, tools
How they compare
| Feature | #1Sago Brothers clay | #2JOYIN rock painting | #3Galt First Sewing | #4Imagimake Window Art | #5Coodoo marbling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for outdoor fun | Best first sewing kit | Best mess-free | Most magical results | |
| Picked Rating | 9.4 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 |
| Price | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | Under £10 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Ages | 3+ | 6+ | 5+ | 5+ | 6+ |
| What they make | Models to keep and paint | Painted rocks that glow | 5 foam projects to use | Window stickers and suncatchers | 20 marbled prints |
| In the box | 24 clays, 3 tools, 72-page book | Rocks, 17 paints, gems, stickers, brushes | Foam pieces, cord, needles, gems, stencils | 11 glass paints, 16 pieces, suction cups | 6 paints, 20 sheets, tray, tools |
| Best for | Makers of all ages | Rock hunts and garden fun | Learning to sew | Tidy, sparkly crafting | Unique prints and cards |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Swipe sideways to see all 5.
Photos are illustrative. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.