Paper seems like such a simple concept, but there are different types that can be used for toddler art projects. Plain white paper is perfect for drawing pictures, but construction paper is heavier and adds color if toddlers are cutting shapes and gluing them together. Watercolor paper and finger-paint paper are specially designed for those types of paints, though other types can be substituted in a pinch. Butcher paper comes on a roll and is very large--perfect for big projects.
Most toddlers will have fun exploring with different paints. Watercolor paints create a blurred effect in pastel colors. Tempera paints are thick and bright, and work well for many craft projects. Toddlers can use finger paints with special wet paper that allows them to wipe off the paint and start over again, so they can work on the same paper for a long time. When selecting paints for toddler use, choose only washable ones. The types of paints that artists use can stain clothes, floors and walls.
Provide a variety of items with which toddlers can write or paint. Colored pencils, crayons, markers and pens are all good tools for coloring or writing. Young toddlers may have a difficult time with thin writing utensils, so try the "chubby" styles, which are made for young hands. For painting, offer different-sized paint brushes or stamps. You don't have to stick with traditional items either. For example, when painting, you can offer cotton swabs or balls, sponges, paint rollers and crumpled up pieces of paper to create different effects. Do-a-Dot paint markers allow children to create paintings from dots.
Older toddlers will be able to start using scissors to cut paper. Purchase safety scissors, which are small and have rounded edges. Some are general scissors, but others are meant for left- or right-handed children.
Students will use glue to create a number of craft projects. Glue sticks cause less mess as little hands create projects, but some types of items require more glue. In those cases, white school glue works best. Additionally, you can use glitter glue for decorating projects. Glitter glue has small pieces of glitter suspended in the glue and you use it to make designs on a project rather than stick two pieces together.
Toddlers can recycle items into craft projects, so think twice before throwing things away. For example, egg cartons, paper-towel rolls and magazines can all work well as art supplies.
You can purchase big tubs of foam cut outs inexpensively. These are thin pieces of foam cut into different shapes, like animals, flowers or the traditional squares, circles and triangles. You can glue them to paper or to other foam objects, such as hats or glasses. Some are self-adhesive, like stickers.