Creative Crafts for Kids in New Zealand: Safe Materials and Fun Projects
Short answer: for kids' crafts at home in NZ, start with things that wash out and don't need an oven: wax crayons, poster paint, washable school glue, chunky brushes and air dry clay. Under-5s do best with big paper and short sessions. From about age 6 they can follow a few steps and finish a project. Everything below is sold at Handy Mandy and ships NZ-wide from Morningside, Auckland, with free shipping over $75.
The Clear School Glue 147ml ($4.99) and Kids Chubby Brushes 3pc ($7.49) are in our Warehouse Clearance: any 3 save 30%, 6 or more save 40%.
What to buy, by age
| Age | What works | Skip for now |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 4 | Chunky brushes, poster paint, crayons, big sheets of paper, glue and torn paper | Small beads, sharp scissors, anything that needs an oven |
| 4 to 6 | All of the above plus air dry clay, mini canvases, glitter paint, child scissors | Polymer clay (it needs baking) |
| 6 to 12 | Acrylic paint on canvas, sketchbooks and markers, air dry and polymer clay with an adult on oven duty | Craft knives without supervision |
How to tell if a craft supply is safe for kids
Read the label. Mont Marte labels several of its kids' basics non-toxic, including the Crayons 36pc, the Bright Poster Paint 4 x 250ml and the Clear School Glue 147ml. Non-toxic doesn't mean edible, so supervise little ones and keep paint and clay away from mouths.
A few practical checks:
- Washable: poster paint and water-based school glue rinse off with water while wet. Acrylic paint stains once dry, so keep it for older kids and old clothes.
- Small parts: keep beads, sequins and googly eyes away from under-3s.
- Smell: if a product smells strongly of solvent, it isn't a kids' product.
Five projects that actually hold their attention
1. Crayon resist painting (ages 3+)
- Draw with crayons on thick paper. Press hard, and use white or yellow for a hidden picture.
- Water down some poster paint until it's runny.
- Paint over the whole sheet. The wax pushes the paint away and the drawing shows through.
You need: Crayons 36pc ($3.99), poster paint and a Discovery Sketch Pad A4 ($5.99).
2. Torn paper collage (ages 2+)
- Let them tear coloured paper, magazines or old wrapping into scraps. Tearing is good practice for little hands.
- Spread glue on a sheet of card in the shape of something simple: a fish, a tree, a house.
- Press scraps on until the shape is covered. School glue stays movable for a short time, so they can shuffle pieces around.
3. Air dry clay handprint or pinch pot (ages 4+)
- Knead a piece of Premium Air Hardening Clay 500g ($5.99) until soft.
- Roll it about 1cm thick and press a hand in, or push a thumb into a ball and pinch the sides up into a little pot.
- Leave it to dry away from heaters. Mont Marte's pack says 24 to 48 hours, longer for thick pieces.
- Paint it once it's fully dry.
4. Mini canvas on an easel (ages 4+)
A small canvas feels like a real painting and stands up on a shelf afterwards. The Mini Masterpiece Kit ($26.99) has two mini easels with 8 x 10cm canvases, poster paint, chubby brushes and a palette. Two canvases means one to keep and one for a grandparent.
5. Glitter name sign (ages 5+)
- Write their name in pencil on card or a canvas panel, in big bubble letters.
- Paint the letters with a medium coat of Glitter Paint 75ml. Too thick and it clumps.
- Outline with a dark crayon or marker once dry.
Setting up so the mess stays small
- Cover the table with an old sheet or newspaper before anything opens.
- Put paint in a palette or yoghurt lids, not the bottle, so a spill is a spoonful, not the lot.
- Keep a damp cloth on the table and an old shirt on the kid.
- Have a drying spot ready before the first painting is finished.
- For under-5s, plan on 10 to 20 minutes. Stop while it's still fun.
A starter kit for about $40
- Crayons 36pc: $3.99
- Kids Chubby Brushes 3pc: $7.49
- Bright Poster Paint 4 x 250ml: $17.99
- Clear School Glue 147ml: $4.99
- Air Hardening Clay 500g: $5.99
That's $40.45 at November 2026 prices. Add paper and you have most of a school holiday covered. For more ideas, browse kids art supplies.
Shop this guide
Free glitter paint on orders over $50 until 30 Nov. Free NZ shipping over $75.
Questions parents ask us
What's the best paint for toddlers?
Poster paint. It's opaque, dries fast and washes off with water while wet. Mont Marte labels its poster paint non-toxic and washable. Save acrylic for older kids, because it stains once dry.
Air dry clay or polymer clay for kids?
Air dry clay for most kids, because it hardens on the bench with no oven. Polymer clay needs baking, so it suits kids around 10 and up with an adult handling the oven. Our clay types guide compares them side by side.
Does washable paint come out of school uniforms?
Poster paint and school glue rinse out with water while they're still wet. Once dry, soak first. Acrylic paint usually won't come out once dry.
How long does an air dry clay project take?
Making it takes 20 to 40 minutes. Drying takes 24 to 48 hours according to the Mont Marte pack, longer for thick pieces or humid weather. Paint it the next day or the day after.
Can I order for a kindy, school or holiday programme?
Yes. See our classroom packs, or email info@handymandy.co.nz for a quote and GST invoice.