This is our guide to the arts and crafts for kids UAE parents can order today, sorted by age. The best arts and crafts for kids in the UAE match the child’s hands, not just their age: big tracing and shaping activities for preschoolers, stamp and gem kits from around 5, and bead, jewellery and 3D projects for older children. Below are 14 craft picks from Toy Souk, from AED 25 to AED 139, grouped by age, plus indoor ideas for the summer and winter break and tips for keeping the mess under control.
All prices are the price at time of writing and are shown in AED.
Why arts and crafts are good for children
Arts and crafts for kids UAE parents set up at home are about more than keeping busy.
Crafts are one of the easiest ways to build skills without it feeling like “learning”. Colouring, tracing, threading beads and pressing gems into place all ask small hands to grip, pinch and control.
Paediatricians writing for the American Academy of Pediatrics on HealthyChildren.org note that art supports a child’s development in meaningful ways, with colouring working on fine motor skills and planning a project sharpening cognitive and maths skills.
Crafts also give children something to finish and show off. A bracelet they spelled out themselves or a picture they traced and painted is a small, real win, and it makes a lovely handmade gift for a grandparent or teacher.
How to choose arts and crafts by age
Matching arts and crafts for kids UAE shoppers find online to the child’s hands makes craft time easier.
Every child moves at their own pace, so treat these bands as a guide and always check the age on the product page. A kit with small beads or gems is not the right choice for a household where a toddler might get hold of the pieces.
Toddlers (under 3): keep it big and simple
For under 3s, keep arts and crafts for kids UAE families try at home big, simple and supervised.
At this age, crafts are about making marks and feeling textures. At home, chunky crayons, large sheets of paper and supervised dough play are all you need. Most craft kits on Toy Souk start from age 3, so for younger children look for simple drawing tools and stay close by.
Fofa Educational Board Stencil, Cars (AED 38.79). The Fofa car stencil boards have cut-outs of popular cars and vehicle parts for children to trace and draw their own pictures. Fofa describes them as suitable for all ages, and tracing helps with hand control and coordination. They are a good bridge from scribbling to drawing, and older siblings can use them too.
Ages 3 to 5: tracing, shaping and simple kits
From 3, look for arts and crafts for kids UAE preschoolers can trace, shape and draw with.
Preschoolers love “proper” art tools and activities with a clear result. Tracing, shaping foam and simple drawing toys build the pen grip they will need for school.
Magnetic Drawing Board, Mini Round (AED 30). This magnetic drawing board uses a magnetic stylus to lift metal beads into grid holes, so children draw patterns without any pens or paper. It is designed to build fine motor skills and pen grip, and its compact size suits car journeys. The colour is chosen at random.
Kids Smart Dinosaur Projector Painting Table (AED 45). The dinosaur projector painting table casts designs onto an erasable tabletop for children to trace and paint. It comes with 3 slide discs holding 24 illustrations, 12 watercolour pens and an eraser pad, for ages 3 and up.
Educational Insights Playfoam Shape and Learn Alphabet Set (AED 139). The Playfoam Alphabet Set has 13 double-sided alphabet cards and 8 Playfoam bricks for shaping and tracing letters. The foam never dries out, and the brand says it does not stick to hands, clothes or carpet. A clever pick for children starting FS2 or KG.
Educational Insights Playfoam Combo 8-Pack (AED 139). For open-ended squishing and shaping, the Playfoam Combo 8-Pack gives you eight colours that can be shaped again and again. It also works as a filler for sensory bins, for ages 3 and up.
Ages 6 to 9: stamps, gems and beads
These are arts and crafts for kids UAE parents can order for stamping, gem art and first bead bracelets.
From around 5 or 6, children can follow simple steps and enjoy kits that make something they can use or wear. This is the age for stamping, gem art and the first bead bracelets. For squishing and shaping, Playfoam above is a good next step.
Clip Toys Stamp It All Fashion Design Kit (AED 25). The Clip Toys Stamp It All kit lets children stamp and craft their own fashion designs. It is part of the Clip Toys Fashion Design Kit series and builds colour coordination and problem-solving.
Clip Toys Design Bag Fashion Design Kit (AED 25). From the same series, the Clip Toys Design Bag kit focuses on creating unique bag designs. At AED 25 each, the two kits make easy class party gifts or a matching pair for siblings.
Shush! Crystallize Art Set (AED 89). The Shush! Crystallize Art Set is a diamond art-inspired kit for ages 5 and up. Children use a drill pen to decorate a necklace and bracelets with colourful crystal gems, and everything packs back into the storage case.
Fashion Angels Tell Your Story 1500+ Alphabet Bead Kit (AED 79). With more than 1,500 beads, the Tell Your Story kit makes 25 or more name and message bracelets. It is recommended for ages 8 and up and is perfect for friendship bracelets to swap at school.
Fashion Angels Charm Changers Tech Team Kit (AED 99). The Charm Changers Tech Team kit uses mini tech-inspired beads that double as charms for bracelets and necklaces. It includes a project idea to get started and is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Ages 10 and up: detailed projects
For tweens, look for arts and crafts for kids UAE children can turn into multi-day projects.
Tweens want crafts that look grown-up and take a bit of patience. The kits below are recommended from 8, but their detail and number of pieces make them a strong fit for 10 to 12 year olds.
Fashion Angels Luxe Life High Society Jewellery Making Kit (AED 99). The High Society kit comes with gold chains, faux pearls, crystal beads, letter charms, earring wires, clasps and jewellery pliers. Children can make layered necklaces, charm bracelets and earrings, which feels like a real jewellery workshop.
Fashion Angels Luxe Life Shadow Box Kit (AED 135). The Luxe Life Shadow Box Kit turns your child into the creative director of a 3D fashion magazine cover, using layered backgrounds, cling stickers and 2,550 gems. A great multi-day project for the holidays.
Fashion Angels Luxe Life Bejeweled Headband Kit (AED 99). The Bejeweled Headband Kit makes 2 headbands decorated with gems, pearls and gold-tone charms. Craft glue and step-by-step instructions are included, so the finished headbands can be worn straight away, ideal before a birthday party or Eid gathering.
Fashion Angels Streetwear Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio (AED 49). For budding designers, the Streetwear Sketch Portfolio is a screen-free sketchbook set for creating endless outfit combinations. It suits beginners and children who want to refine their sketching.
If your child loves the beauty side of “making”, our guide to kids makeup kit toys covers nail and makeup sets.
Indoor craft ideas for UAE summers and the winter break
Arts and crafts for kids UAE homes keep in a craft corner can fill long summer afternoons indoors.
With summer temperatures that keep most play indoors for months, a craft corner earns its space. A few ideas that work across ages:
- Craft club afternoons. Set a regular time each week, invite a cousin or neighbour, and give everyone the same kit. Bead kits like Tell Your Story have enough pieces to share.
- Holiday mega-project. Save a bigger kit, such as the Shadow Box, for the winter break, when there is time to work on it over several days.
- Handmade gifts. Name bracelets, headbands and painted pictures make thoughtful gifts for teachers at the end of term or for family visits over Eid and National Day.
- Story and craft. Ask younger children to draw a scene from their favourite story, then tell you about it. It mixes art with language and pretend play. For more ideas, see our guide to imaginative toys for kids.
- Party activity. A low-cost kit per guest, such as the AED 25 Clip Toys sets, doubles as a party activity and a take-home favour.
Arts and crafts for kids UAE: mess-free tips
Crafts don’t have to mean glitter in the sofa for weeks. A little set-up goes a long way:
- Choose the right material. Magnetic drawing boards and projector tables need no loose paint, and Playfoam is described by the brand as not sticking to hands, clothes or carpet.
- Use a tray. A baking tray or shallow box keeps beads and gems in one place and makes tidying quick.
- Cover the table. An old tablecloth or newspaper saves the dining table from paint and glue.
- Keep the box. Kits with storage cases, like the Shush! Crystallize Art Set, make it easy to pack away half-finished projects.
- Stay close with small parts. Supervise younger children with any kit that has beads, gems or glue, and keep those kits away from babies and toddlers.
Frequently asked questions
What are good arts and crafts for kids in the UAE aged 3 to 5?
Preschoolers enjoy tracing, shaping and simple drawing. The Dinosaur Projector Painting Table (AED 45), the Magnetic Drawing Board (AED 30) and the Playfoam Alphabet Set (AED 139) are all listed for this age group.
Which craft kits suit 8 to 12 year olds?
Older children like detailed kits that make something they can wear or display. Fashion Angels jewellery, headband and shadow box kits are recommended from 8 and offer enough detail to keep tweens busy.
Are there craft gifts under AED 100?
Yes. Most picks in this guide are under AED 100, including the Clip Toys kits at AED 25, the Streetwear Sketch Portfolio at AED 49 and the Tell Your Story bead kit at AED 79.
How can I keep craft time less messy?
Pick low-mess materials such as magnetic drawing boards or Playfoam, and work on a tray or covered table. Kits with their own storage case also make tidying up much quicker.
Do you deliver craft kits across the UAE?
Yes, Toy Souk delivers across the UAE. If you are buying for a birthday, Eid or the winter break, order a little ahead of the busy season.
Can I order arts and crafts online in the UAE?
Yes. Toy Souk sells arts and crafts kits from Fofa, Kids Smart, Educational Insights, Clip Toys, Shush! and Fashion Angels online and delivers across the UAE.
Browse the full range of arts and crafts for kids UAE families can order in our Arts & Crafts category to find the right kit for your young maker.
