Your one-year-old does not need a full art cabinet.
A few washable, taste-safe basics — that’s really all it takes to start making art with a baby or young toddler. Most of the fancy stuff you see online isn’t built for hands this small anyway.
Here’s where I’m coming from. I teach art and sensory classes every single week, and many of my students are 1-year-olds. So I haven’t just *read* about which supplies work at this age — I’ve handed them to real toddlers, over and over, and watched exactly what happens. (Spoiler: everything goes in the mouth, the attention span is about ninety seconds, and they want to paint *big* — the whole table, ideally.)
That’s how I know the supplies that work aren’t the prettiest ones. They’re the safe, washable, oversized, easy-to-grab ones. The picks below are the exact ones I keep reaching for in class — safe for babies still mouthing everything, and just right through about 18 months and up.
No Pinterest-perfect art station required. Start with one or two and build from there.
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Best Art Supplies for 1 Year Olds at a Glance
| Art Supply | Best For | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Do-a-Dot Markers | First-ever art & mess-free | Shop |
| Chunky / Egg Crayons | Little hands & tasters | Shop |
| Djeco Finger Paints | Color & sensory play | Shop |
| Washable Paint | Budget-friendly painting | Shop |
| No-Spill Paint Cups & Brushes | Fewer spills | Shop |
| Edible-Safe Playdough | Babies who still mouth everything | Shop |
| Art Smock | Saving your laundry | Shop |
New to toddler art? Start with the Do-a-Dot markers and washable paint — everything else you can add as you go.
- Art is a great sensory play activity. It allows children to learn about the world in a different way and explore creativity and freedom.
- Art at this age (zero to three) is more about learning to use materials and how they feel as you make marks.
- It is understanding that they can make marks, feel the texture, and observe colors – even what happens when you mix colors!
Activities are already mapped out, so you’re not deciding what to do every morning.
Here are my Best art supplies for a one-year-old that will support their exploration.
Let’s start shopping for the perfect art supplies and essentials for nurturing your little Picasso’s creativity and passion for art activities.
Do-a-dot MARKERS
Unleash your child’s inner artist with the Dot a Dot markers- the hassle-free alternative to traditional paints- one of my favorite art supplies for a one-year-old. They are easy to hold, and they can make dots or draw without too much mess.
Smooth application and speedy drying time make these sticks ideal for pint-sized Picassos who want to create without the clutter.
Teacher note: In class, these are almost always the first “real” art tool I hand a one-year-old. All they have to do is press — no grip strength, no brush control — so they get that thrilling “I made a mark!” moment on the very first try. Great for cause-and-effect and early pointer-finger control
CRAYONS FOR LITTLE FINGERS
Another mess-free option is crayons. Opt for large crayons, such as egg crayons or large rectangular ones, that provide a better grip for little hands. They are also non-toxic for those wanting to taste “what a crayon tastes like.”
Pair it with Heavy cardstock or mixed media paper – mixed media paper is great for all types of projects, especially painting! Which we can talk about next.
Teacher note: I start these around 12 months. The fat egg shape sits in a whole-fist grip, which is exactly where one-year-olds are — they’re not ready for a pencil grasp yet, and that’s fine. Every scribble is quietly building the hand strength they’ll use to write someday.
NO MESS PAINTING
Ok… before we get into messy ideas with real paint, I must include a super-easy one! Get some water and a large paintbrush or foam brush, then paint over a piece of construction Paper. The paper will change color depending on how wet the water’s, and it’s super fun and mess-free!
Teacher note: You’re cause-and-effect with zero cleanup. The paper darkens wherever the water lands, which is endlessly fascinating at this age, and sweeping the brush builds wrist and arm control.
Finger Paints
First up, finger paints. These are a must-have for any starting artist. Not only are they fun and messy (in the best way), but they also help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The best part is that because of their thickness, you don’t need to use too much, and they are non-toxic and super easy to clean.
If you’re looking for the best finger paints around, you’ve got to try Djeco finger paints. Thanks to their non-toxic and washable formula, they’re completely safe for kids. But what really sets them apart is the incredible range of vibrant colors—your little artist will be in heaven. Plus, the packaging is so darling; it’s like a bonus gift with every purchase.
Teacher note: Finger painting is both sensory play and art. Squishing, smearing, and dragging the paint builds finger isolation and hand-eye coordination — and since they’re using their whole hand, there’s no grip barrier to slow them down. Just supervise the taste-testing.
Other paint options:
Are you a DIY mom? Want to make your own edible-safe finger paint? Try this edible-safe paint recipe using Yogurt or this edible-safe paint using cornstarch.
Play like this is the whole idea behind My First School Level 1 — a full year of one-year-old activities, already mapped out, so you’re not deciding what to do every morning.
Paint Cups and Brushes
Of course, no painting session is complete without paint cups and brushes. Look for cups with lids to prevent spills and brushes with chunky handles for easy gripping.
I love these no-spill paint cups and chubby paint brushes from Melissa & Doug. They’re durable, easy to clean, and perfect for little artists.
Pro tip: Toddlers learn to paint large spaces, so cover your table with paper or give them a really big piece of paper to paint on. Always protect your floor and sit them on a high chair or sensory table to prevent them from walking all over the house with paint in their hands.
Teacher note: Loading a brush and carrying it to the paper is a surprisingly big coordination task for a one-year-old. The no-spill cups let them practice that motion without you having to reset the table every 30 seconds.
Edible-Safe Playdough
Playdough is great for strengthening skills and is not typically considered an art supply. One-year-olds usually don’t have enough strength to blend or squish playdough, but they can start manipulating small balls, squishing little snakes of dough, and sticking candles or other materials.
Because one-year-olds still put things in their mouths, I recommend non-toxic playdough or soft homemade playdough. We even have a totally edible confetti-playdough recipe.
Teacher note: Most one-year-olds can’t roll or shape dough yet — and that’s okay. At this age it’s all about squishing, poking, and pulling, which builds the same hand strength as everything else here. Edible-safe means the inevitable taste-test is no big deal.
For store-bought options, opt for non-toxic brands like Colorations Playdough (Amazon) or Eco Kids (Amazon).
Art Smocks
Last but not least, don’t forget the art smocks. These will save you from countless loads of laundry and keep your little one’s clothes (somewhat) clean.
I recommend looking for smocks with long sleeves and a waterproof material (Amazon). The art smocks from Bumkins are a great option, and their designs are super cute! – They’re lightweight, easy to clean, and have a cute design.
The first ones I got (picture above) were an affordable option from Ikea. But I love this new art smock one from Amazon
Teacher note: Not a skill-builder — a sanity-saver. The faster the cleanup feels, the more often you’ll actually say yes to art. That’s the real win
Are these art supplies safe for a 1 year old?
Short version: yes — as long as you pick non-toxic and stay close.
At this age, “will they eat it?” isn’t a maybe. It’s a when. So here are the two rules I use in every class:
**Look for “non-toxic” and the ACMI seal.** That little seal means the product was tested and certified safe when used as intended. Most of the picks above carry it — it’s worth a quick glance on anything new you buy.
**Know the difference between non-toxic and taste-safe.** Non-toxic means it won’t hurt them in the small amounts a curious toddler samples. Taste-safe — like edible playdough or yogurt paint — means it’s actually made from food. For the youngest mouthers, I lean taste-safe. For everyone else, non-toxic plus supervision is plenty.
**“My baby ate some paint — should I panic?”** Almost certainly not, if it’s a washable, non-toxic, ACMI-sealed paint — that’s exactly the situation those are made for. Check the label, wipe them down, and if anything ever worries you, call your pediatrician or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). But a fingerful of washable paint is a normal Tuesday, not an emergency.
One more: if your child has any food allergies, scan the ingredients on paint and playdough, since some contain wheat or dairy.
Art supplies for 1 year olds: FAQs
**What art supplies does a 1 year old need to start?**
Honestly, just two: washable Do-a-Dot markers and washable finger paint. That covers mess-free and messy, and neither needs any real skill to enjoy. Add chunky crayons, playdough, and a smock as you go.
**Are washable markers safe for a 1 year old?**
Washable, non-toxic markers made for toddlers are safe at this age with supervision. Do-a-Dot style markers are the safest starting point — no small cap, nothing sharp, and they just press and dab.
**What age can a baby start doing art?**
You can start as early as your baby can sit up and grab — often around 9 to 12 months — using taste-safe paint in the high chair. By about 12 months, most are ready for dot markers and chunky crayons.
**Are these art supplies okay for an 18 month old?**
Yes — everything on this list grows with your child from about 12 months through age 2. By 18 months, many toddlers are ready for a little more: brushes in no-spill cups, more playdough work, and slightly longer painting sessions.
**How do I do art with a 1 year old without a giant mess?**
Start with the mess-free options — Do-a-Dot markers and water painting — and save finger paint for the high chair or an outdoor day. A smock and a paper-covered table handle most of the rest. (And remember, a little mess is part of the learning.)
**When can a toddler start using scissors?**
Not at one. Safety scissors usually come into play closer to 2.5 to 3 years, with close supervision. For now, stick to marks, paint, and dough.
You’ve got the supplies. Now what?
Here’s the part nobody warns you about: the art supplies arrive, you’re excited… and then they sit in the drawer, because you’re not quite sure what to *do* with them on a regular Tuesday.
That’s the whole reason I built My First School — Level 1. It’s my month-by-month, play-based curriculum for one-year-olds, and it takes supplies exactly like these and turns them into a simple weekly rhythm — what to set up, what to say, and what your child is actually building while they scribble. No planning. No guessing. No Pinterest spiral.
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