Everyone always asks me what paper I use for all of these projects. Or if they can just use “regular paper.” Regular paper may not be the best paper for kids art.
If your kids are just planning on taking pencil to paper, then you can use just about any paper, even cheap pads you get from the dollar store.
If your kids are interested in anything else, then you might be looking for something a little sturdier.
Note: Amazon links below are affiliate links. But prices tend to jump around, so make sure to shop for the best prices!
Best White Paper for Kids Art
8 x 12 White Sulphite Paper is the most inexpensive and versatile paper for kids art.
When we started doing more art at home, I looked for a type of paper that I could use with pencils, crayons, markers, paints, chalk pastels, and just about anything I could think of, and I stumbled upon the miracle solution: white sulphite paper.
Hands down, this is the best all-purpose paper for kids art. If you only purchase one type of paper on a regular basis, or if you don’t want to have six types of white paper in your house and feel you might get confused, this is the one to get.
The reason it’s wonderful is because it’s thick enough to hold most paint, but inexpensive enough that you can pick up 500 sheet packs through Amazon. And when your kids are doing art left and right, those 500 sheets disappear quicker than you think.
This paper comes in a variety of types (listed by lb weight). We use the 80 lb Sax Sulphite Drawing Paper in our house, and so far so good. For the price, it can’t be beat.
90 lb Watercolor Paper
If you love watercolors, you’re in luck! White sulphite paper is a completely acceptable option.
But keep in mind that sulphite paper absorbs watercolors quickly, so if you want to try out any fun watercolor techniques with your kids (such as adding salt for a starburst effect), or if you love it when the colors blend into watercolor rainbows, white sulphite paper won’t work.
You need watercolor paper.
Watercolor paper can be a little pricey, especially if you have a child who likes to start drawing a picture and then suddenly decide that they were trying to draw a rocket ship and not a mushroom, and they fling it off to the side.
Canson’s to the rescue.
I found 90 lb packs of 100 which will last you for quite some time, especially if you only have one or two kids at home and you’re doing it occasionally. It’s student-grade, so it’s just thick enough to hold the amount of paint that kids are inevitably going to put on that paper.
Other Types of Paper for Kids Art You Might Want
You could do almost any art project with the two papers listed above. But if you’re looking for some additional fun.
Black Sulphite Paper
Why on earth would you want black paper when crayons don’t even show up?
Because certain art supplies do. And when they do, it’s magical.
Neon oil pastels, paint markers, tempera paint sticks, and some colored pencils can all be used on black paper with stunning results.
Not to mention, have you ever heard of construction paper crayons? Until recently, I hadn’t either. But they look beautiful on black paper.
Also, you can use that black paper for some beautiful nighttime backgrounds, or cut it out for little details on other projects.
Black construction paper can be used in a pinch, but know that if you get too much paint on it, it will curl into a snail. That can be upsetting to a child who just finished their masterpiece (and annoying for you). So get black sulphite paper which is a little heavier, and save yourself the hassle.
12 x 18 Sulphite Paper
Sometimes you just want to go big with your paper for kids art. And when you’re going big, gluing things onto a large piece of construction or drawing paper makes that paper flop over. 12 x 18 sulphite paper can take a lot of collage piled on top of it, like the watercolor cutouts shown below.
There are different weights of paper, so if you aren’t going to be doing collage just yet, you can feel safe going with the slightly cheaper variety.
Scrapbook Paper
You probably know someone who was swept up into the scrapbook crazy and went out and bought a ton of vibrant colors and patterns and they are sitting around in a box.
Next time you see these friends and family members, it’s the perfect time to swipe a few leftover scraps. They are perfect for collages, adding embellishments, and so many other fun projects.
Even if you never bring oil pastels or paint into your home, having the right kind of paper for kids to experiment on is crucial. Holes in paper, paper that curls too much, or paper where the paint just drips through are no fun for kids, or for homeschool parents (and red washable paint sometimes isn’t that washable out of beige carpet).
Do you have any paper that you love for your kids? I’d love for you to share your insights below.
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