Art Supplies for Kindy and ECE Centres in NZ: What to Stock
Short answer: a kindy or ECE art table runs on five things: washable poster paint in big bottles, chunky brushes, wax crayons, washable school glue and plenty of large paper. Add foam rollers, palettes and air dry clay once the basics are covered. Buy paint by the 500ml bottle, not small sets, and leave out anything with small parts or that needs an oven. Handy Mandy supplies centres NZ-wide from Morningside, Auckland, with GST invoices and quotes on request.
The core list
| Item | Why | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mont Marte Poster Paint 500ml | Labelled non-toxic and washable, opaque, dries fast, flip-top lid | $7.99 each |
| Kids Chubby Brushes 3pc | Fat handles for a whole-hand grip, sized for ages 2 to 5 | $7.49 a set |
| Crayons 36pc | Firm wax in a tin, so they don't all snap in the box | $3.99 |
| Clear School Glue 147ml | Water based, washable, labelled non-toxic, dries clear | $4.99 |
| Discovery Sketch Pad A3 | Big sheets for big arm movements | $11.99 |
| Round Plastic Palette 17cm | Wells keep colours separate, washes up easily | $1.99 |
| Studio Foam Roller 50mm | Quick, satisfying coverage, good for printing | $3.99 |
Prices as at November 2026.
Bulk packs that save time
- ECE Messy Play Paint Bundle ($79.99): six 500ml poster paints, ten sets of chubby brushes (30 brushes), four foam rollers and ten palettes.
- Classroom Pack: Poster Paint 500ml x 6 ($32.99).
- Classroom Pack: Clear School Glue x 12 ($34.99).
- Classroom Pack: Round Palettes x 10 ($11.99).
See everything in classroom and school packs.
How much to order
Every centre uses paint differently, so treat these as starting points and adjust after the first month.
- Paint: start with good mixing colours, such as lemon yellow, turquoise and magenta, plus a red and a brown. Then reorder whichever bottle empties first.
- Brushes: one chubby brush per child at the table, plus spares for the soaking bucket.
- Glue: one bottle per two children at the collage table.
- Paper: more than you think. Big sheets go fast.
Paint: poster or acrylic?
Poster paint, for almost everything. It's made for paper and card, it washes out of clothes while wet, and Mont Marte labels it non-toxic. Acrylic stains once it dries, so keep it for special projects with older children, like painting a canvas for the wall, and use smocks.
Clay and playdough
Air hardening clay ($5.99 for 500g) is a good step up from playdough because the pieces dry hard and can go home. The Mont Marte pack says 24 to 48 hours to dry. It isn't food safe or waterproof. Leave polymer clay for older children, because it needs baking.
What to leave out for under-fives
- Small beads, sequins and loose googly eyes: choking risk.
- Glitter in shakers: it ends up everywhere. Glitter paint ($2.19) gives the sparkle with less mess.
- Anything with a solvent smell, and anything that needs heat.
Non-toxic on a label doesn't mean edible. Supervise, and keep paint and clay away from mouths.
Ordering for a centre
We dispatch in 1 to 3 working days from Auckland, and shipping is free on orders over $75. Centres can ask for a quote or a GST invoice through our school and teacher orders page, or by emailing info@handymandy.co.nz. More ideas for home and centre are in kids art supplies.
FAQ
What art supplies does a kindergarten need?
Washable poster paint, chunky brushes, wax crayons, washable glue, large paper, palettes and foam rollers. Air dry clay is a good extra.
What is the best paint for preschoolers?
Poster paint. It's opaque, dries quickly and washes out while wet. Mont Marte labels its poster paint non-toxic and washable.
What brushes are best for toddlers?
Chunky brushes with fat handles they can grip with a whole hand. Mont Marte's Kids Chubby Brushes are sized for ages 2 to 5.
Can an ECE centre get a GST invoice or quote?
Yes. Email info@handymandy.co.nz or use the school and teacher orders page.
How long does delivery take for a centre outside Auckland?
We dispatch in 1 to 3 working days. After that, North Island main centres usually take 1 to 3 working days, South Island main centres 2 to 4, and rural addresses 1 to 2 days more.