All-in-one art sets are worth it as a gift or a first "try everything" kit, less so as a child's main supplies. A big case lets a child explore crayons, markers and pencils in one go and keeps everything tidy. The trade-off is quality and quantity: each item is starter level, and the paper runs out long before the supplies. If your child already knows what they love, a good box of that one tool is usually better value.
Below: what they do well, where they fall short, who they suit, and how to get the most from one.
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What all-in-one sets do well
- Variety: a child can find out whether they prefer crayons, markers or pencils.
- Tidy storage: everything has a slot and goes back in the case.
- A "wow" gift: opening a full case feels special.
- Travel: one case to grab for a trip or a grandparent's house.
Where they fall short
| Limit | What to do |
|---|---|
| Each item is starter quality | Upgrade the tool your child uses most |
| Paper runs out quickly | Add printer paper or a sketchbook |
| Small pieces | Check the age guidance for younger siblings |
| Hard to refill one color | Keep a regular box of favorites alongside |
Who they suit best
- A child who's just getting into art and hasn't found a favorite tool.
- A birthday or holiday gift, especially with a book (see gifts for kids who love to color).
- A second set for a grandparent's house or for travel (see our travel art kit).
Or build your own
For a child who colors every day, a box of crayons, a set of colored pencils, washable markers and a ream of good paper often lasts longer than a case. Our crayons vs colored pencils vs markers guide helps you choose the core three.
Getting the most from a big case
- Try one tool a day for a week, rather than everything at once.
- Notice the favorite: which one do they reach for without being asked?
- Add paper straight away: a ream of printer paper or a simple sketchbook.
- Keep the case for outings once a favorite everyday set takes over at home.
Questions to ask before buying
- Does my child already have a favorite tool? If yes, a better box of that tool may be the better gift.
- Is there a younger sibling? Check the age guidance for small pieces.
- Where will it live? Big cases need a shelf, not a drawer.
What's usually inside, and what to expect
| Item | Typical quality | When to upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Crayons | Small, fine for trying | When they color often: a 24-count box |
| Markers | Short, dry out sooner | When they love bold color: washable broad markers |
| Colored pencils | Short, harder leads | When they want detail: a soft 24–36 set |
| Paper | A few sheets | Straight away: a ream of printer paper |
| Extras | Oil pastels, paints or chalks in some sets | Only if they become a favorite |
Gift it well
An art case on its own is exciting for an afternoon. Paired with something to color (a story-and-coloring book or a stack of printed pages), it becomes a project that lasts weeks. Add a note with three ideas to try first, like "a night sky", "a pattern on a cat" or "a card for Grandma", and the case gets used rather than admired.
More gift ideas, by age and coloring style, are in our gifts for kids who love to color guide.
When the case wears out
Keep the case itself: it makes a perfect travel kit once refilled with the child's favorite supplies (see our travel art kit guide).
Keeping a big case organized
The trays in an art case look tidy on day one and chaotic by day ten. A few habits help: return each item to its own slot before closing the lid; keep a small pouch inside for broken crayons and stray caps; and once a month, test the markers and pull out any that have dried. Children enjoy this "case check" more than you'd expect, especially if they get to decide what to keep.
If the case has items your child never uses (oil pastels, a tiny paint palette), take them out and store them elsewhere. A case filled only with favorites gets opened more often. And when something runs out, replace it with a full-size version of that tool: it's a natural way to upgrade the supplies your child actually loves.
Whatever you choose, paper is the one thing to add. A ream of plain printer paper costs little, lasts for months and turns any set of supplies into hours of drawing. Add a few printed coloring pages on top, and a child has both freedom (blank paper) and a starting point (a page to color), which together keep the case in use long after the excitement of opening it.
Questions parents ask
Are all-in-one art sets good for kids?
What age are big art cases for?
Is an art set or separate supplies better?
What should I add to an art set?
The one thing to remember
A big case is for discovering; a good single box is for every day. Watch which tool your child reaches for, then upgrade that one.
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