Best Paint by Numbers in Australia (2026)

Paint by numbers has quietly become one of the most popular ways to unwind at home, and it is easy to see why. You get a pre-printed canvas split into small numbered zones, a set of matching acrylic paints, and a couple of brushes, and you slowly fill in the picture until a finished artwork appears. There is no drawing skill required, the whole thing packs away in a drawer between sessions, and a good kit costs less than a couple of takeaway coffees a week over the month it takes to finish.

The catch is that the kits on Amazon Australia vary wildly. Pack counts range from a single canvas up to six. Some arrive pre-framed and ready to hang, others are loose canvas you will need to stretch or frame yourself. Paint quantity, brush quality and how faithfully the printed numbers line up with the paint pots all move around from listing to listing. We pulled the current Australian pool, compared pricing across every option, and cross-checked star ratings and review counts so you are not guessing. Here are the seven kits worth your money right now.

What is the best paint by numbers kit in Australia?

For most adults the best all-round choice is the LSPBN 4 Pack Flowers Kit, which gives you four separate 16 x 20 inch pre-printed canvases and carries the largest review base of anything here, so you know what you are getting before it arrives. If you want more individual pictures per dollar, the cupmod 6 Pack Cityscape Kit stretches to six canvases and is our value pick for anyone who wants to paint through a whole season. On a tight budget, the NASHRIO 40 x 50 cm Kit is the cheapest of our seven picks and still ships with 22 paints and three brushes, which is plenty for one satisfying large canvas.

Those three cover the bulk of buyers, but a kids kit, a small framed set, a single showpiece canvas and a portrait-friendly option all earn their place below. The full comparison is next.

Compare paint by numbers kits at a glance

Every kit here sits in a sensible price band for the category; tap through to the live listing to confirm current availability before you buy. Pack count is the single biggest thing to weigh up: a multipack gives you several smaller canvases to work through, while a single large canvas gives you one detailed centrepiece. Tap any name to see the live listing and current price.

How we evaluated these kits

NestPath does not run sponsored placements. We research the live Australian pool, then sort it on the things that actually change how a kit feels to paint.

• Live listing links. Every pick links straight to its Amazon Australia listing, so you can confirm current availability and price before you buy.
• Real ratings. We used each listing's live star rating and review count, favouring kits with enough reviews to trust rather than a lone five-star.
• Canvas and value. We weighed pack count, canvas size and whether the picture arrives framed against the asking price, so the per-canvas value is clear.
• Kit completeness. We noted paint quantity, brush count and how well the printed numbers are reported to match the paints, since that is what makes or breaks the first session.

Best paint by numbers overall: LSPBN 4 Pack Flowers

The LSPBN 4 Pack is the kit we would hand to almost anyone starting out. You get four separate pre-printed 16 x 20 inch (40 x 50 cm) canvases with a floral theme, each with its own numbered acrylic paints and brushes, so one purchase keeps you painting for well over a month. It is the most-reviewed kit of our seven picks by a wide margin, which is exactly what you want when you are buying sight unseen: the printed lines are crisp, the number-to-paint matching is consistent, and the canvas is a generous size that leaves the smaller numbered zones large enough to fill without a magnifier.

At full 16 x 20 inch each, these are proper wall-worthy pictures rather than novelty minis, and four matching florals look genuinely good hung as a set in a hallway or above a bed. The paints go on opaque in one or two coats and the coverage is good enough that beginners are not fighting streaks. It is the dearest kit on this list, but split across four large canvases the per-picture cost is very reasonable, and the sheer painting time you get is hard to beat.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The canvases ship rolled and unframed, so you will need to flatten them under a few books before you start and sort your own frames at the end. The four designs are all floral, so if you wanted variety across landscapes and animals this is not the set for you. A couple of the darkest paint pots can be a little thin and benefit from a second coat.

Best value multipack: cupmod 6 Pack Cityscape

If your goal is the most individual pictures for your money, the cupmod 6 Pack is the value play. Six pre-printed canvases with a scenery and cityscape theme make it the best per-canvas value of our seven picks, and the review base is large and solid for the category. The city and skyline subjects suit anyone who finds florals a bit soft, and the variety across the six designs keeps the hobby from feeling repetitive session after session.

Each canvas comes with its numbered acrylics and brushes, and the acrylic-or-oil style paints cover cleanly. Because you get six pictures, this is also a smart buy for a household where two people want to paint side by side, or for anyone who likes having the next canvas ready the moment one is finished. It sits in the Toys and Games department, so it is a natural gift as well.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

To hit six canvases the individual pictures are smaller than the big single-canvas kits, which means some numbered zones get fine and a detail brush helps. The paints are sized for the canvas, so there is not a lot of spare if you overload your brush. As with most multipacks, the canvases are unframed.

Best budget kit: NASHRIO 40 x 50 cm Kit

The NASHRIO kit is the cheapest of our seven picks and proves you do not need to spend much to get a satisfying result. For the money you get a single large 40 x 50 cm canvas, three paintbrushes and 22 numbered paint colours, which is a complete starter set in one box. A 40 x 50 cm canvas is a good beginner size: big enough that the numbered areas stay easy to paint, small enough to finish before the novelty wears off.

This is the kit to grab if you are curious about the hobby but not ready to commit to a multipack, or if you want a low-cost gift that still feels generous. The 22-colour paint set gives the finished picture real depth, and the three brushes cover broad fills and finer edges. It sits in the Home department and arrives as loose canvas ready to paint.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It is a single canvas, so once it is done you are buying again if you are hooked. The canvas is supplied without a frame. And because the paint pots are modest, careful loading of the brush matters more here than on the pricier kits with fuller pots.

Best for kids: KOJEFCV 4 Pack Cartoon

Paint by numbers is a brilliant rainy-day activity for children, and the KOJEFCV 4 Pack is built for them. It is the highest-rated kit of our seven picks, ships as four cartoon designs each with its own wooden frame, and is pitched at ages four to twelve. The framing is the clever bit: kids can hang their finished work straight away with no extra fuss, which is a big part of the reward for a young painter.

The cartoon subjects are simpler and bolder than the adult florals and cityscapes, with larger numbered zones that little hands can actually fill in. Four framed panels also means a group of siblings or a birthday-party craft session all have a canvas each. It sits in the Toys and Games department, so it slots neatly onto a gift list.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The framed panels are small, so this is squarely a kids kit rather than something an adult would paint for the wall. Younger children will need a hand keeping paint inside the lines, and the fine brush suits supervised use. As with any children's craft, expect to protect the table.

Best small framed set: Ninonly 4 Pack 9 x 12 Inch

The Ninonly 4 Pack threads a nice needle: four pre-framed 9 x 12 inch canvases that arrive ready to display, with a strong review base behind them. If the idea of stretching or framing a finished canvas puts you off, this solves it out of the box. The compact 9 x 12 inch size makes each picture quick to finish, so you get the satisfying done feeling four times over without a month-long commitment per canvas.

The included frames mean a finished set can go straight onto a shelf or gallery wall, which makes these popular as a coordinated group for a study nook or lounge corner. Each canvas comes with its paints and brushes. It sits in the Home department and works well as a self-contained gift for an adult beginner who wants results they can show off quickly.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

At 9 x 12 inch the numbered areas are smaller than a full-size canvas, so a fine detail brush earns its keep on the intricate sections. The paint pots are sized to the smaller canvases. And the frames, while handy, are lightweight rather than gallery-grade.

Best single large canvas: Dream Tree 16 x 20 Inch

When you want one proper centrepiece rather than a stack of smaller pictures, the Dream Tree kit is our pick. It is a single 16 x 20 inch canvas that includes the full drawing and tools, and it carries a high rating, though on the smallest review base of our picks. A single large canvas lets the design breathe: the numbered zones stay comfortably paintable and the finished piece is big enough to anchor a wall on its own.

This is the kit for someone who wants to slow down and enjoy one detailed painting rather than churn through a multipack. Everything you need is in the box, and the larger format is forgiving for beginners who are still finding their brush control. It sits in the Home department and makes a thoughtful one-off gift.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It is a single canvas, so it prioritises one large picture over painting through several smaller ones. The review count is the lowest of our picks, so there is less collective feedback to lean on. And it ships unframed like most single canvases here.

Best for portraits and people: BYGFHLYW People Kit

Most beginner kits stick to flowers and landscapes, so the BYGFHLYW kit stands out for tackling people and portrait-style subjects. Faces and figures are harder to render than a bunch of tulips, and this kit is built around that with a design and paint set aimed at the challenge. It is an easy-tier kit despite the subject, so it is approachable for beginners who want to try something more representational.

If you have a particular love of portraiture, or you want a painting that reads as a person rather than a scene, this fills a gap the rest of the list leaves open. Everything needed comes in the box, and it sits in the Home department. It is a good change of pace once you have a floral or landscape kit under your belt.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Portraits are less forgiving than landscapes, so small numbered zones around the eyes and mouth demand a steady hand and a fine brush. It is a single canvas rather than a multipack. And the review base, while solid, is smaller than the top two picks.

Which paint by numbers kit should you buy?

Match your situation to the pick below and tap through to the live listing.

What should you look for in a paint by numbers kit?

A few specs decide whether a kit is a pleasure or a chore. Here is what actually matters when you are choosing.

Canvas size. Bigger canvases have bigger numbered zones, which are far easier to paint neatly and kinder on your eyes. A 40 x 50 cm (roughly 16 x 20 inch) canvas is the sweet spot for beginners. Anything much smaller, like a 9 x 12 inch panel, packs the detail in tightly and rewards a fine brush.

Pre-printed versus blank. Every kit here is pre-printed, meaning the outlines and numbers are already on the canvas. That is what you want as a beginner. Blank kits exist for people transferring their own designs, but they are a different, more advanced hobby.

Framed or loose. Some kits arrive pre-framed and ready to hang, which is great if you do not want to deal with stretching or framing later. Loose canvases give you bigger pictures for the money but leave the finishing to you.

Pack count. A multipack gives you several canvases from one purchase and keeps you supplied for a whole season, while a single large canvas gives you one detailed showpiece. Decide whether you want volume or one hero picture before you buy.

Paint and brush quality. More paint colours generally means more depth in the finished picture, and at least one fine brush makes the small numbered areas manageable. If a kit runs light on either, a cheap set of spare brushes fixes it. Paint by numbers pairs nicely with other slow lounge-room hobbies, so if you are stocking a rainy-day cupboard it is worth browsing our guide to the best board games in Australia too.

How do you care for a finished paint by numbers canvas?

Looking after your painting is simple, and a little care makes it last for years. Let each session dry fully before you fold or stack the canvas, and store loose canvases flat rather than rolled once you have started, so the paint does not crack along a curl.

When the picture is finished and completely dry, a coat of clear acrylic varnish protects the surface, stops the colours yellowing and gives a subtle gloss that lifts the whole piece. Brush it on thinly in one direction and let it cure before hanging. For loose canvases, a simple timber frame or a lightweight stretcher turns your work into something wall-ready. Keep finished pieces out of direct, harsh sunlight to preserve the colours, and dust them gently with a dry soft cloth rather than anything damp.

You'll also want

A few inexpensive extras make paint by numbers easier and your finished work last longer.

• ARTIFY 18-piece brush set for spare and better-quality brushes than most kits include.
• Fine detail brush set for the tiny numbered zones on smaller canvases.
• Anezus tiny detail brushes when you are painting portraits or fiddly cityscapes.
• Acrylic sealer made for paint by numbers to protect and add gloss to the finished canvas.
• Falling in Art tabletop easel to hold the canvas at a comfortable angle while you work.
• Mont Marte brush set with easel wallet as an all-in-one upgrade to your tools.

The competition

A few other kits came up in our research but did not make the final list. The cupmod 6 Pack for adults and kids is a capable multipack with a large review base, but it overlaps heavily with our cupmod cityscape pick and we did not want two near-identical entries. Several framed four-pack kits that bundle a wooden easel look tempting, but their review bases are still thin, so we would wait for more feedback before recommending them. And a number of single-design listings with only a handful of reviews may be perfectly good, but there is not enough collective feedback yet to put your money behind them with confidence.

Paint by numbers FAQ

Are paint by numbers kits good for complete beginners?

Yes. Every kit here is pre-printed, meaning the outlines and numbers are already on the canvas and you simply match each numbered paint to its zone, so no drawing skill is needed. Start with a larger canvas like the 40 x 50 cm size, where the numbered areas are easy to fill, before moving to smaller, more detailed kits.

What canvas size should a first-timer choose?

A 40 x 50 cm canvas, which is roughly 16 x 20 inch, is the sweet spot for beginners. It is big enough that the numbered zones stay easy to paint neatly, and small enough to finish before the novelty wears off. Smaller 9 x 12 inch panels pack the detail in tightly and reward a fine detail brush.

Do you need to frame a paint by numbers canvas?

Not always. Some kits, like the KOJEFCV kids pack and the Ninonly 4 pack, arrive pre-framed and ready to hang. Most single and multipack canvases ship loose, so you finish them and then add a simple timber frame or lightweight stretcher yourself if you want to display them.

How long does a paint by numbers kit take to finish?

A single 40 x 50 cm canvas typically takes several relaxed sessions spread over a week or two, depending on how much detail it has and how long you paint at a time. Smaller 9 x 12 inch panels finish faster, while a multipack gives you weeks of painting across all its canvases.

Can kids use adult paint by numbers kits?

They can, but adult kits often have small, intricate numbered zones that frustrate young painters. A kit made for children, like the KOJEFCV 4 pack aimed at ages four to twelve, uses bolder cartoon designs with larger areas that little hands can fill in, and it arrives framed so kids can hang their work straight away.

More guides for your home

If a quiet lounge-room hobby is your thing, these NestPath guides pair well with a paint by numbers kit.

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• Best kids jigsaw puzzles in Australia
• Best photo frames in Australia
• Best floating shelves in Australia
• Best scented candles in Australia

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