The Best Kids Art Sets in Australia (2026): 6 Drawing and Colouring Kits Worth Buying

What is the best kids art set you can buy in Australia right now?

If you want the short answer: the KINSPORY 168 Wooden Art Set is the best all-round kids art set on Amazon Australia in 2026. It carries a 4.6-star rating across more than 900 reviews, packs coloured pencils, oil pastels, watercolour cakes, sketch pencils and three drawing pads into a double-layer wooden case, and it costs around $46. It is the set most likely to keep a 6 to 12 year old busy for a whole rainy weekend without you having to top anything up.

But the honest truth is that no single art set is right for every child. A three year old who eats crayons needs something very different from a nine year old who wants to paint. A set that lives on a shelf at home can be big and heavy, while a set for the back seat of the car needs to be light and mess-free. So we picked six kits that each win a different job, from a trusted Crayola case that has sold for years, to a screen-free Spirograph set that quietly hooks the whole family, to reusable activity mats that survive a long-haul flight.

Below you will find our full comparison, every price and rating checked against live Amazon Australia listings, plus a plain-English buying guide so you can match the set to your own child rather than guessing. We have kept the flaws in too, because a review that only lists good points is not really a review.

The quick verdict: our three headline picks

Last updated June 2026. Here is the short version if you just want to buy something and move on. All three of these are in stock on Amazon Australia as we write this, and all three have real review histories rather than a handful of thin ratings.

• Best overall: KINSPORY 168 Wooden Art Set (around $46). The most complete set here, in a sturdy wooden case, with a 4.6 rating from over 900 reviews. Ideal for ages 6 to 12.
• Best value: Crayola Inspiration Art Case 140 (around $30). A trusted brand, 4.8 stars from more than 400 reviews, and everything is washable and non-toxic. The safest gift on this list.
• Best budget: Faber-Castell Ultimate Creativity Set 80pc (around $25). A real art-brand kit with clay, pastels, markers and a colouring book, sitting at 4.9 stars. Superb bang for buck for a younger child.

If none of those quite fit, the Shuttle Art 149 Deluxe, the Spirograph Design Set and the Funcils Search and Find mats each cover a more specific need. We explain who they suit further down.

How does each set compare at a glance?

Before the detail, here is how our six picks stack up on the things parents actually ask about: age range, what is inside, how portable it is, and roughly what it costs. Prices move around on Amazon, so treat them as a guide and check the live listing before you buy.

The pattern is simple. If you want the widest range of art media in one box, go wooden deluxe (KINSPORY or Shuttle Art). If you want a trusted, washable, gift-ready set, go Crayola or Faber-Castell. If you want a single focused activity that travels well, go Spirograph or Funcils. Every one of these passed our basic gate: in stock, a real star rating, and enough reviews to trust the score.

How did we choose these kids art sets?

NestPath is run by Australian first-home buyers and new parents, and we build these guides the way we wish the big American review sites did. We do not physically test products in a lab. Instead we research and study the market hard, then only recommend things you can actually buy here today. Here is exactly what we did for this guide.

• We started with what actually ranks and sells in Australia. We pulled the live Google Shopping and Amazon Australia results for kids art sets, so our shortlist reflects what local families are really searching for and buying, not a US catalogue.
• We checked every pick was genuinely in stock on Amazon Australia. There is no point recommending a set that is out of stock or only available through a grey-market reseller, so we verified each ASIN on the live Amazon AU listing.
• We only kept sets with a real star rating and a real review count. Every product here has at least a few dozen reviews, and most have hundreds or over a thousand, so the rating means something rather than being one lucky five-star.
• We read the reviews, including the angry ones. We looked for repeated complaints (flimsy cases, faint pencils, missing pieces) and wrote them into each pick under a "Flaws but not dealbreakers" heading.
• We matched each set to a real use case. Age, mess level, portability and price all change which set is right, so we picked winners for different jobs rather than crowning one champion for everyone.

All ratings, prices and specifications in this guide were checked against live listings in June 2026. Amazon prices change often, so the number you see at checkout may differ slightly from ours.

Best overall kids art set: KINSPORY 168 Wooden Art Set

If you want one set that does almost everything, buy the KINSPORY 168 Wooden Art Set. It is the pick we would put in front of most parents shopping for a child aged roughly 6 to 12 who has shown a real interest in drawing and painting. You get 72 oil pastels, 24 coloured pencils, watercolour cakes, sketch pencils, brushes, a palette and three separate drawing and sketch pads, all folded into a two-layer wooden case with pull-up trays. It sits at 4.6 stars from more than 900 reviews, which is a lot of trust for a set at this price.

What makes it our overall winner is range for the money. A child who only has crayons quickly gets bored, but this set lets them jump from pencil sketching to watercolour to oil pastel in one sitting, which is exactly how kids discover what they enjoy. The wooden case is the other big draw: reviewers repeatedly describe it as looking premium and "worth the price", and several bought it as a birthday gift because it presents so well straight out of the box. The trays fold out so a child can see everything at a glance, which also makes packing up more likely to happen.

The case measures 43 x 31 x 8 cm and weighs about 3.6 kg, so this is a substantial, shelf-at-home set rather than something for a handbag. Everything is described as non-toxic and made to the ASTM safety standard, and the double-layer design hides watercolours, brushes and an eraser in the second tray. For a set a curious kid can grow into over a couple of years, it is hard to beat.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The most common criticism is that the coloured pencils are not as richly pigmented as a heritage art brand, so a fussy older child may want to swap in better pencils over time. A few reviewers also noted that a screw in the fold-out tray can work loose in transit and needs a re-tighten, and that the "wooden" case is really plywood with a timber look. None of this stops it being the best value complete set here, but expect an excellent starter kit, not professional art supplies.

Best value kids art set: Crayola Inspiration Art Case 140

If you want the safest possible gift, buy the Crayola Inspiration Art Case 140. It is the set we would hand to someone buying for a child they do not know well, because almost everyone trusts the Crayola name and almost every kid already knows how to use it. It holds 64 crayons, 20 short coloured pencils, 40 washable markers and 15 sheets of drawing paper in a slim carry case, and it carries a 4.8-star rating from more than 400 reviews, second only to the Faber-Castell among our three headline picks.

The reason this is the value pick rather than the overall winner is that it is a colouring and drawing set, not a full painting kit: there are no paints or pastels here. But for the most common use, which is a young child who wants to sit down and make something colourful right now, that focus is a strength. The markers are washable, which matters enormously with a four or five year old, and everything is non-toxic. Australian reviewers repeatedly praise the case for keeping things organised and for encouraging kids to pack up, with one calling it "great for creativity and for tidying".

The case measures roughly 39 x 32 cm and about 6 cm deep and weighs around 1 kg, so it is far more portable than a wooden deluxe box and easy for a child to carry. Each tool has its own slot, so the wow factor is high and pieces are less likely to scatter. At around $30 it is the set hardest to regret buying.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The plastic inner trays are the weak point. Several reviewers describe the internal plastic as "average" quality that may not last years of heavy handling, even though the outer case feels solid. Because it leans on markers, they will dry out faster than pencils if caps are left off, so it rewards a household that puts lids back on. And if your child wants to paint, look at the KINSPORY or Shuttle Art instead.

Best budget kids art set: Faber-Castell Ultimate Creativity Set 80pc

If you want the most genuine art quality for the least money, buy the Faber-Castell Ultimate Creativity Set. For under $25 you get an 80-piece box from a brand that has made art materials since 1761, and it is the highest-rated set in this entire guide at 4.9 stars. It is our top choice for a younger child, roughly ages 4 to 8, where you want real pigment quality without spending real money.

The contents list is what sets it apart at this price. You get a 20-page A4 colouring book, 20 fibre-tip markers, 12 tri-grip coloured pencils, 12 oil pastels, 12 wax crayons, 10 connector-pen markers, 8 modelling clay sticks, 2 shaped erasers, 2 HB graphite pencils and a sharpener. That is a proper spread of media, including clay, which very few budget sets bother to include. Australian reviewers keep using the same phrase: "so much stuff for a crafty kid for such a good price".

Faber-Castell also gets the safety details right for little hands. The markers use breathable non-choke caps, the ink is water-based and washes out of most fabrics, and the pencils use FSC-certified wood. The box itself is simple cardboard rather than a fancy case, which helps keep the price low. If you are buying for a preschooler or as a well-priced gift, this is the set to beat.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The trade-off for the low price is the packaging. This is a cardboard box, not a hard case, so it will not survive years of being dropped and reopened the way a wooden or aluminium case will. The set also skews younger: there are no watercolours or brushes, so a child who wants to paint properly will outgrow it. Its review count is also smaller than some rivals here, so the 4.9 rating rests on dozens of reviews rather than hundreds, though the praise is very consistent.

Best for older kids who want more paint: Shuttle Art 149 Deluxe Wooden Art Set

If your child is a keen older artist who wants to actually paint, the Shuttle Art 149 Piece Deluxe Art Set is the strongest choice. It is the most heavily reviewed complete art set in this guide, with more than 1,500 reviews behind its 4.4-star rating, and it packs coloured pencils, oil pastels, crayons, watercolour cakes, graphite pencils, brushes, a palette and four kinds of art paper into a wooden case with a carry handle.

This is a set for a child who has moved past colouring-in and wants to experiment with mixing and shading. Shuttle Art aims it at ages 4 to 12 as well as teens and adults, and the breadth of media is the point: a young artist can try watercolour cakes one afternoon and oil pastels the next. The wooden case with its metal-latch handle is genuinely portable for something this comprehensive, so it can move between the kitchen table, school and a grandparent's house.

The case measures about 42 x 29 x 16 cm, deeper and boxier than the flat trays of some rivals, giving room for the paper pads and paints inside. Reviewers repeatedly call it "great value" and "bigger than expected", and several bought it as a birthday gift. It undercuts a professional set on pigment quality, but for a home art kit that gets used hard, it is a lot of set for the money.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The most important flaw is fragility in transit. The harshest Australian review describes the lid not staying up and crayons spilling because a drawer slid open in delivery, so check it carefully as soon as it arrives. A couple of reviewers also mention the inner tray coming loose, and the pencils being fine rather than premium. Handle the box upright, re-seat any trays, and you will get years out of it.

Best screen-free set for pattern lovers: Spirograph Design Set

If you want an art activity that quietly hooks a child (and often the whole family) without a screen, the Spirograph Design Set is a brilliant left-field pick. It is not a general art kit; it is a focused drawing toy that uses precision wheels and rings to create endless spiral patterns, and it has racked up more than 1,700 reviews at 4.5 stars, the most-reviewed product in this whole guide.

The appeal is that it turns "I can't draw" into instant, impressive results. The 30-piece set includes the Spirograph wheels and rings, 8 markers, 20 sheets of design paper, reusable Spiro-putty to hold pieces in place, a storage tray and a guide book. A child follows the guide or freestyles, and within minutes they have a geometric pattern that looks far more complex than the effort involved, which is exactly the kind of quick win that keeps kids coming back. It works with most pens and pencils you already own, so it never really runs out.

Spirograph recommends it for ages 8 and up, with a genuine choking-hazard warning for under-threes because of the small parts, so it is for older children, not toddlers. It is light and compact at about 22 x 19 x 5 cm and only 230 grams, which makes it a superb rainy-day or travel activity. If you have a child who likes maths, patterns or satisfying results, it is one of the best-value creative gifts here.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It is a single activity, so it will not replace a full art set for a child who wants to paint and colour freely. A few reviewers note the wheels can slip out of the guide ring if you rush, which frustrates a young child until they get the knack, though the putty helps. Others feel the piece count looks larger than it is. None of that dents its core strength as a screen-free, repeatable, absorbing activity.

Best mess-free travel set for little kids: Funcils Search and Find Reusable Mats

If you need to keep a preschooler busy in the car, on a plane or in a cafe without paint on the walls, the Funcils Search and Find set is our mess-free pick. It is not a paint-and-pencil kit; it is a set of 12 double-sided, wipe-clean activity mats with 2 dry-erase markers, and it holds a 4.7-star rating from more than 1,200 reviews. For ages 3 to 5 who are not ready for open-ended art, it is a smart middle ground.

The idea is simple and it works. Each laminated mat has a themed search-and-find scene on one side (farm, sea, dinosaurs, space and more) and an activity such as tracing, mazes or letter practice on the other. A child draws on the mat with the marker, then wipes it clean and starts again, so a small pack of mats delivers hours of repeat play with zero mess and nothing to run out of. There is even a blank drawing side and a ruled handwriting side, so it doubles as early writing practice.

The mats measure about 40 x 29 cm and pack flat, which is why parents keep calling it perfect for road trips, flights and quiet time. Because the ink wipes off, there is no drying-out and no scattered crayons under the car seat. It is the least "arty" set here, but for entertaining a small child on the move it earns its place, and its high rating across many reviews shows other parents agree.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This is an activity set, not a creative art kit, so a child who wants to make and keep their own drawings will find it limiting. It comes with only two markers, so buy a spare pack of dry-erase pens, and the mats are aimed at the 3 to 5 age band, so older children move on quickly. Used for what it is, a mess-free travel activity, it is one of the most useful buys here.

What should you look for when buying a kids art set?

The best kids art set is the one that matches your child's age, your tolerance for mess, and where it will actually be used. Here is how to think about each of those before you spend.

Does the age rating actually matter?

Yes, and mostly for safety. Sets aimed at ages 3 to 5, like the Funcils mats, avoid small parts and lean on chunky, washable tools. Sets with small pieces, like the Spirograph, carry a choking-hazard warning for under-threes. Above about age 6, the rating is more about interest level than danger: a complete wooden set like the KINSPORY or Shuttle Art suits a child who wants variety, while a younger child is often happier with a simpler colouring case.

How much mess can you live with?

Be honest with yourself here. Washable markers and dry-erase mats clean up in seconds. Watercolours, oil pastels and clay are more rewarding but messier, and belong on a wipeable table with an old shirt on the child. If mess is your main worry, the washable Crayola or wipe-clean Funcils sets are the low-stress choices; if you want your child to really explore, accept some mess and go for a full set.

Home set or travel set?

A home set can be big and heavy, which is fine because it lives on a shelf. The KINSPORY and Shuttle Art wooden cases are in this camp at 3 to 4 kg. A travel set needs to be light, flat and hard to spill: the Crayola case, the Spirograph and the Funcils mats all pack down and survive a car boot. Buying a heavy deluxe box purely for holidays is a common mistake.

How many pieces do you really need?

Piece counts sell sets, but they can mislead. A 140-piece Crayola case is mostly crayons and markers, while a 168-piece wooden set spreads those pieces across pencils, pastels, paints and paper. More media types usually matters more than a bigger number. Look at the breakdown, not just the total on the box.

Do the supplies need to be non-toxic?

For young children, non-toxic and washable are the two words to look for, and every set in this guide meets that bar. If a listing does not clearly state non-toxic and a safety standard, treat that as a red flag for a child who still puts things in their mouth.

How do you care for a kids art set so it lasts?

A good art set can last for years if you look after a few basics. First, replace caps and lids straight after use, because dried-out markers are the number one reason a set gets thrown away early. Second, keep watercolour cakes and brushes dry between sessions and let brushes air-dry bristle-up rather than sitting in water. Third, teach the pack-up habit early, because a set with a tray for every tool only stays organised if pieces go back in their slots.

For wooden cases, keep them out of direct sun and away from damp so the finish does not warp, and always carry them upright so the trays and drawers do not spill. If a tray works loose, a quick re-tighten of the screw usually fixes it. For wipe-clean mats, use only dry-erase markers, never permanent ones, and wipe them soon after use so nothing stains. A spare pack of markers or pencils is a cheap way to keep any set alive.

What else will you want alongside a kids art set?

An art set is more fun with a few supporting bits, and most of these are cheap add-ons that make the set easier to live with. Here are the accessories parents most often buy next, all available on Amazon Australia.

• A low kids table and chairs gives a proper, wipeable surface at the right height, which cuts mess dramatically. See our guide to the best kids tables and chairs in Australia.
• A storage solution keeps loose pieces and finished artwork from taking over the house. Our best toy storage picks cover baskets and bins that suit craft supplies too.
• A bookshelf or low shelf is handy for standing up sketch pads, colouring books and the art case itself. We compare options in the best kids bookshelves guide.
• An easel lets a child paint standing up and is great for messier work; some sets, like the ZDY range, even build one in.
• A protective mat or old tablecloth under the work saves your table and your nerves during painting sessions.
• Spare dry-erase or washable markers are the single best-value top-up, since markers dry out long before pencils or pastels do.
• A smock or old shirt keeps clothes clean and means you can relax about the messier media.

Which kids art sets did not make the cut, and why?

We looked at plenty of other sets and left them off for specific reasons. Very cheap "mega craft" tubs with hundreds of pieces often bury a few usable items among filler, and their reviews reflect it. Some journal and scrapbook kits are lovely but had only a handful of reviews on Amazon Australia, so we could not stand behind the rating yet. A few large easel-and-supplies bundles are good but had thin review histories or prices that jumped around between sellers, making them hard to recommend with confidence today.

We also kept the list broad rather than stacking it with near-identical wooden cases. There are many 150-to-290-piece wooden art boxes on Amazon Australia, and most are variations on the same idea. Rather than list five, we picked the two best-reviewed (KINSPORY and Shuttle Art) and spent the remaining slots on different jobs: a trusted colouring case, a budget art-brand kit, a pattern toy and a travel activity set. That spread is more useful than a wall of similar boxes.

Frequently asked questions about kids art sets

What is the best age to buy a child their first art set?

Around ages 3 to 4 for a simple, washable or wipe-clean set, and around 6 and up for a fuller kit with pastels and paints. For toddlers, avoid sets with small parts and choose washable markers or reusable mats. From about age 8, a child can handle a complete wooden set and a pattern toy like the Spirograph.

Are these art sets non-toxic and safe for kids?

Every set in this guide is described as non-toxic on its listing, and the Faber-Castell and Crayola sets are also fully washable. Always check the age rating: the Spirograph, for example, carries a choking-hazard warning for children under three because of small parts.

What is the best kids art set for a 12 year old?

For an older child, a complete wooden set gives the most room to grow. The Shuttle Art 149 Deluxe and the KINSPORY 168 both include watercolours, pastels, pencils and paper, so a 12 year old can experiment with real mixing and shading rather than just colouring in.

Is a wooden art case better than a plastic or cardboard one?

A wooden case usually looks more premium and holds up better to years of use, which is why it presents so well as a gift. A cardboard box, like the Faber-Castell set, keeps the price down and is fine for younger kids. Whatever the material, carry the case upright so trays and drawers do not spill.

How much should I spend on a good kids art set?

You can get an excellent set for between $25 and $55. Around $25 buys a strong branded starter kit like the Faber-Castell. Around $30 gets the trusted Crayola case. Around $45 to $55 buys a complete wooden deluxe set that a child can grow into over a couple of years.

Where can I buy kids art sets in Australia?

Amazon Australia has the widest range with real review histories, which is why we focus on it here. You will also find kids art sets at Kmart, Big W, Officeworks, Spotlight and specialist stores like Mont Marte and Art Shed, though ranges and stock vary between them.

Bundle it: related guides for the kids' room

Setting up a creative space for a child rarely stops at the art set. If you are kitting out a play or craft corner, these NestPath guides pair naturally with this one.

• Best kids tables and chairs in Australia for a proper wipeable art surface at the right height.
• Best toy storage in Australia to keep supplies and finished artwork under control.
• Best kids bookshelves in Australia for standing up sketch pads, colouring books and the art case.
• Best magnetic tiles in Australia for open-ended, screen-free building that complements art play.
• Best kids jigsaw puzzles in Australia for another calm, focused rainy-day activity.
• Best Montessori toys in Australia if you want more hands-on, independent play options.

About the author

Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first-home-buyer process himself. NestPath focuses on Australian first-home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au