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
- 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).
- PAPER — Must-haves: white cartridge A4 (500 sheets), white cartridge A3 (100 sheets). Add: sugar paper mixed colours, black sugar paper.
- DRAWING — Must-haves: HB pencils class set, coloured pencils 24-colour class set, black fine-liners (0.5mm). Upgrade: graphite sticks, charcoal, pastel sets.
- BRUSHES — Must-haves: class set of sizes 4, 8, 12 (30 sets). Avoid: very cheap brushes that shed bristles.
- GLUE — Must-haves: PVA 5L (not individual pots), glue sticks class pack. Avoid: hot glue guns for primary (safety risk).
- 3D MATERIALS — Must-haves: air-dry clay 2.5kg, masking tape, cardboard offcuts.
- 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.
Books and materials
Convenience links for everything mentioned above. We link to Amazon — LessonKind may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Stocking your art cupboard
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R Ready mixed poster paint 6 colours 500ml
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W White cartridge paper A3 100 sheets 120gsm
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C Coloured pencils 24 colour class set 30
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P PVA glue 5L school art craft bulk
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A Air dry clay white 2.5kg school art
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A Acrylic paint set 12 primary colours 500ml each
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P Paintbrushes round set sizes 4 8 12 class 30
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B Black fine liner 0.5mm pack 30
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M Masking tape 24mm 25m pack 6
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F Felt squares assorted 40 colours A4