A basic but often forgotten tip is to allow children plenty of elbow room when they're engaged in art activities. Spilt water and spoilt work can put children off trying again as well as creating a time-consuming mess to clear up. Invest in as many easels as possible because these provide children with a proper perspective on their work because of their angle, as well as giving them enough space to encourage some concentrated effort. Little Tikes Studio Design Easel has two storage trays which can be quickly removed for washing and includes a 50-sheet pad of easel paper which clips on with a spring clip.This easel measures 80 x 81 x 112 cm when erected and is priced 34.99. Little Tikes also sells a double-sided easel with a chalkboard on one side.
Telephone 0800 521 558.
John Crane's Double Easel has a roller at the top for paper with two wooden rungs to keep it in place and help it feed through, with a black board on the alternate side. A full-size, wipe-clean tray is fitted underneath the boards and the easel measures 600 x 1100 x 500 mm, priced 49.99.
Telephone 08700 129090.
The Smoby Art Centre from Step by Step can be used as an activity desk which is large enough for shared work, as well as an easel. Two brush or pencil holders clip on to the sides, with two larger storage boxes underneath. The board itself is two sided - wipe clean magnetic and chalk. The Art Centre comes with a set of paint, one pot, one brush, one ruler and one set square and measures 94.5 (h) x 72 (l) x 53 cm, priced 44.95.
Telephone 0845 300 1089.
Paints, brushes, pencils, chalk
If you always have a plentiful supply of paints in the cupboard you won't be tempted to skimp on creative sessions, but don't automatically buy the same range every time you stock up; be adventurous and sample as many different shades, textures and types as you possibly can. Step by Step offers a wide range from powder to ready mix and in all hues from fluorescent primaries to six different 'people' shades. Ready mixed, water based paint in 16 shades is priced 87p for a 600 ml plastic squeezy bottle or 8.50 for a saver pack of ten colours. Extra value, 5 litre containers are available in the nine most popular colours, priced 6.95. Fluorescent ready mix comes in six colours and is priced 1.90 per 600 ml bottle or 10.50 for a saver pack of six.
Telephone 0845 300 1089
To ensure minimum waste and spillage choose sturdy paint and water holders and locate them within easy reach of every artist. NES Arnold stocks a 'Superstable' paint and water pot holder, specially designed to hold the company's non-spill pots. The size of the pots is 8 (d) x 8 (w) x 7 (h) cm and the holder includes 6 non-spill pots, priced 4.99. Also available are Rose Lids, which clip on to these non-spill pots to convert them into holders for brushes, pencils or pens. Priced 6.45 for a pack of six.
Telephone 0870 6000 192
Before a child has ever even held a brush in her hand she should experience the pleasure of finger painting, but for every five children who can't wait to get 'hands on' there is likely to be one child who recoils at the idea of 'getting dirty'. If you place some clean, damp sponges next to the paints so children can wipe away the paint quickly, plus a bowl of warm, soapy water and a towel close by, you may find that's all the encouragement that's needed, but you should never force a child to participate.
Hope Pre-School offers a good selection of finger paints. A jumbo pack of six assorted colours in 500 ml jars is priced 14.25 and a six pack of iridescent colours in 250 ml jars is 11.50.
Telephone 08702 414 400.
The right tools for the job are important, so when you move away from fingers (temporarily) you need to provide brushes which will help children gain in confidence rather than hamper their progress. Force yourself to throw away any worn out, smelly brushes you've been harbouring and stock up with plenty of new. Ensure your new brushes enjoy a long and useful life by washing thoroughly in warm, not hot, water at the end of sessions, squeeze excess water out gently with fingertips or kitchen roll and smooth strands back into place; leave to dry on a work top with the brush uppermost. Galt has a special offer of three pots, each containing 20 chubby brushes, for 27.95.
Telephone 08702 42447
Hope's new stubby brushes are designed not to roll off the working surface! Each brush has a triangular rim below the ferrule to stop the brush rolling when it's put down. The rim also holds the brush a little bit above the surface which could help prevent the mess from spreading. A pack of 30 contains small, medium and large brushes and is priced 12.99.
Telephone 08702 414 400.
Continuing in the theme of differently shaped tools NES Arnold boasts a whole range of pencils designed to make gripping easy: 'hand huggers', triangular, hexagonal Hefty pencils, available in table top storage pots. A set of 36 Hefty pencils in storage pot is priced 6.75.
Telephone 0870 6000 192
Early Learning Centre chalk sets come in egg shapes to provide an easy grip for small hands. Available in an 'egg carton', in six attractive colours, priced 2 per set of six (playgroups and nurseries may be eligible for a discount).
Telephone 08705 352 352
Stamping, sponging, marbling
Not every child gets on well with painting and drawing but they still need and deserve a creative outlet and there is plenty for them to enjoy. John Crane's animal stampers come as five different creatures with smooth wooden animal tops to hold on to, measuring 45 x 80 mm, priced 2.49 each.
Telephone 08700 120909.
Hope's sponge dabbers come in packs of 12 with plastic handles and an assortment of shaped tips, priced 5.50.
Telephone 08702 414 400.
NES Arnold's Out of School catalogue contains an extensive selection of marbling supplies, and this is a craft which is especially satisfying for children at all levels because it produces easy and pleasing results and can be used in everything from display to present making for parents. An Easy Wash Superbuy marbling pack contains six 30 ml bottles of washable marbling inks which have been specially formulated for easy removal from hands, priced Pounds 4.45. A One Step Marbling Starter Kit contains 6 x 15ml dropper bottles and an instruction leaflet, priced 6.95. A large marbling tray which has been newly designed to be difficult to topple over, measures 595 x 399 x 50 (d) mm, priced 9.75 and a pack of six clips to hang work whilst drying is priced 2.25.
Telephone 0870 6000 192.
Cutting out and collages
Scissor control is an important skill to be gained and can help improve patience and confidence as well as fine motor ability. Make sure you cater for left-handed children with appropriate scissors so they don't feel inadequate -they simply can't manage the right-handed variety. Left-handed scissors from Early Learning are priced 2 per pair.
Telephone 08705 352 352.
Scissors need to be kept out of everyone's reach when not forming part of a supervised session and NES Arnold's new Scissor Rack holds 50 pairs of standard size scissors. The rack is wire coated with a carrying handle, priced Pounds 5.95.
NES Arnold also has a fine array of collage materials including sequins, glitter, snowflakes, sprinkles mesh, rainbow film and the range of feathers, pictured here. A 25 g pack of feathers in either mixed exotic, natural or goose satins is priced 4.50. Red Indian (or should we say Native American) feathers come in packs of 25 assorted bright colours, each 30 cm long, priced 5.50. A pack of Peacock feathers, each 30 cm long, is priced Pounds 4.95. A 25g pack of white feathers which can be dyed to your taste are priced 5.95.
Telephone 0870 6000 192.
When sticking it all together opt for a washable glue like Economy Washable PVA from SbS, available in one or five litre containers with handles and pouring spouts, priced 1.95, smaller size, 5.75 for 5 litres.
Telephone as above
