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Shopping Guides

The Ultimate Art Supplies List for Primary School

A comprehensive, prioritised shopping list for setting up or restocking a primary school art cupboard. Organised by category, with budget-conscious and quality recommendations at every price point.

Shopping Guides Ages 3–11EasyAny
Watch on YouTube Search: "art supplies primary school what to buy classroom" — video tutorials from popular craft channels

How to do it

  1. PAINTS — Must-haves: ready-mixed poster paint (6 primary colours + white + black, 500ml each). Upgrade: acrylic in primaries for older children. Avoid: watercolour trays for class use (they're hard to share cleanly).
  2. PAPER — Must-haves: white cartridge A4 (500 sheets), white cartridge A3 (100 sheets). Add: sugar paper mixed colours, black sugar paper.
  3. DRAWING — Must-haves: HB pencils class set, coloured pencils 24-colour class set, black fine-liners (0.5mm). Upgrade: graphite sticks, charcoal, pastel sets.
  4. BRUSHES — Must-haves: class set of sizes 4, 8, 12 (30 sets). Avoid: very cheap brushes that shed bristles.
  5. GLUE — Must-haves: PVA 5L (not individual pots), glue sticks class pack. Avoid: hot glue guns for primary (safety risk).
  6. 3D MATERIALS — Must-haves: air-dry clay 2.5kg, masking tape, cardboard offcuts.
  7. TEXTILES — Must-haves: felt squares assorted, tapestry needles, embroidery thread.
💡 Tips Buy in bulk from school art suppliers (TTS Group, Hope Education, Consortium) rather than general stationery shops. Per-unit cost is dramatically lower. Always buy more white cartridge paper than you think you need.