Best Art Kits for Teens Wanting to Get Into Art

Updated on
March 3, 2023

Art is a great way for teens to express their creativity and emotions while developing important skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking.

Art kits can provide a fun and accessible way to explore different mediums and techniques without having to invest in expensive supplies or attend formal classes. 

These kits can range from simple sketching sets to more complex ones that include paints, pastels, sculptures, and other materials that cater to various interests and skill levels. 

Whether your teen is looking to improve their existing skills or simply try their hand at something new, art kits can be a great way to inspire and nurture their artistic talents.

What are the best art kits for teens?

The following art kits are going to be perfect for your teenager. Art kits that aren’t too childish but also aren’t so complex they wouldn’t want to try.

1. Prina 76 pack drawing & sketching set

Prina 76 pack drawing art kit

As an artist, I can confidently say that this 76-piece drawing sketching set is an absolute must-have for anyone looking to elevate their artistic skills. With a wide range of high-quality pencils, including charcoal, watercolor, and metallic coloring, this set provides all the tools I need to create stunning works of art. 

The included sketch pad is an added bonus, with 50 pages of different colored paper that cater to different styles of drawing. The set is also made from eco-friendly materials and is non-toxic, ensuring that your teenager can focus on their art without worrying about any harmful effects. 

And the best part? 

The set comes with a travel case, making it easy to take with them wherever they go. Overall, this art kit is a true game-changer for any teenage artist looking to take their craft to the next level.

What’s included in this art kit:

  • 15 Graphite Drawing Sketching Pencils (12B,10B, 8B, 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H )
  • 1 Sketch Pad with 3 Colors Sketch Paper, 6" x 9", 100GSM
  • 36 PCS Colored Pencils
  • 12 PCS Charcoal Pencils
  • 1 Refillable Water Brush Pen
  • 1 Vinyl Eraser, 1 Kneaded Eraser, 1 Sandpaper Block, 3 Paper Blending Stumps, 1 Paintbrush, 1 Marker Pen, 1 Sharpener, 1 Pencil Case

Pros

  • This kit comes with a drawing tutorial book to help you get started.
  • Tons of colors to choose from and you can blend the colors together.
  • The zippable case is great for storing materials and even traveling with them.
  • Beginner artists can experiment with different pencils.

Cons

  • It can be challenging to use paint pencils and watercolor pencils.

2. VigorFun Deluxe All-In-One Art Kit

VigorFun Deluxe Art Kit

The VigorFun art kit is the ultimate kit if your teen is wanting to get into art. Whether it’s paint, colored pencils, watercolor, or oil, this kit covers all the bases. For around $35, your teen can explore their creative interests in just about any medium.

What’s included in this art kit:

  • Acrylic paint
  • Watercolor paint
  • Oil Paint
  • Oil Pastels
  • Watercolor cakes
  • Colored pencils
  • Brushes
  • Canvas panels
  • Pencils
  • Sketch pads
  • Paint palette
  • Sharpener and eraser

One of my favorite things about this kit is that the box doubles as a storage case. Helping them store all the pieces in one space without having a mess of items all over the table.

Pros

  • It has all the essential tools you will need to start your creative journey.
  • The materials it comes with will last for a few projects and allow for experimenting and testing new ideas.
  • This kit has trays that fold out so that all pieces are easily accessible.
  • Different mediums to choose from and experiment with.

Cons

  • There are no instructions on how to get started or use the materials.
  • The canvases are smaller than you would think.

3. Colour Block 185pc Mixed Media Art Kit

Colour Block Art Kit

If you want a higher-quality art kit for your teen, this is one of my top picks. From the case to the materials inside the case, everything is a step up in quality from some of the cheaper kits on the market. This currently costs around $75, but you also get 185 pieces inside, allowing them to be creative and explore different mediums.

What’s included in this art kit:

  • 24 Colored Pencils
  • 24 Watercolor Pencils
  • 9 Sketching Pencils & 3 Charcoal Pencils
  • 10 * 12ml Acrylic Paint Tubes
  • 10 * 12ml Watercolor Paint Tubes
  • 14 Oil Pastels
  • 14 Color Tone Soft Pastels & 13 Grey Tone Soft Pastels (Graphite Sticks & Charcoal Sticks)
  • 32 Watercolor Cakes
  • 4 Golden Synthetic Brushes & 2 Natural Hair Brushes
  • Bonus Tools: 1 Sanding Block, 4 Blending Stumps, 1 Wood Manikin, 1 Kneaded Eraser, 1 Vinyl Eraser, 1 * 2-Hole Metal Sharpener
  • 10 sheets of 6”x8” Watercolor Paper
  • 1 * 8”x10” Color Theory Instruction Sheet & 1 Color Wheel
  • 1 Deluxe Wooden Box with Metal Closures and Durable Leather Briefcase Style Handle. 19.6 x 12 x 3 inches in size.
  • All materials are NON-TOXIC

Pros

  • It comes with just about every material an artist can dream of to explore and be creative.
  • This kit has a color wheel which will help in seeing which colors will complement another.
  • The case doubles as storage to keep all materials nice and organized.

Cons

  • It might be challenging at first to learn how to use the materials for a beginner artist.
  • Does not come with canvases or drawing paper.

4. Norberg & Linden XL Drawing Art Kit

Norberg & Linden XL Drawing Kit

If your teen is big into drawing with pencil, this is the perfect art kit for them. Whether they are just getting into sketching or have been doing it for a while, this art kit has everything they need. This kit was created by professional artists to ensure that you will have all the right tools for each piece created.

What’s included in this art kit:

  • 12 x High quality pencils: 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 8B
  • 100-sheet drawing pad
  • 3 charcoal sticks
  • 1 ultra-soft all-graphite woodless specialist pencil
  • 2 sharpeners for graphite and charcoal pencils
  • 3 charcoal pencils in soft, medium, and hard
  • 3 graphite charcoal sticks
  • 1 kneaded eraser, one plastic/vinyl eraser
  • 1 sandpaper block
  • 3 paper blending stump
  • 1 pencil extender
  • 1 art knife
  • 1 x Kit Folio

Pros

  • The case doubles as a travel case.
  • Includes all types of pencils, from graphite to charcoal.
  • Easy to use tools to create a professional-looking sketch.

Cons

  • It might be difficult to use charcoal and graphite pencils at first.
  • There aren’t any instructions included in this kit.
  • This kit does not come with a sharpener.

5.Ohuhu Brush Marker Art Kit

Ohuhu Marker art kit

If your teen has asked you for Copic markers, these are a great alternative. Copic markers can be extremely expensive, whereas Ohuhu is very similar in quality for much less. Ohuhu markers are perfect for your teen if they are just getting into art and want to use markers.

What’s included in this kit:

  • 120 classic color markers
  • Colorless blender
  • Carrying case
  • 7 skin colors included

Pros

  • The shape of the markers prevents them from rolling off a table or desk.
  • Each set has four shades of each color to allow for easy blending and shadowing.
  • Two different tips to fill color or outline with.
  • Colors are easy to blend to make custom colors.

Cons

  • You will need to refill the markers quite often.
  • Could dry out if you do not store them properly.
  • The markers can bleed through paper.

Final Thoughts

I hope you were able to find a kit that fits perfectly for your teen. I plan to keep adding to this list as time goes on. Whichever kit you choose, I am confident your teen will be able to explore and experiment with new creative, and unique ideas.