Art camp shopping list: what to buy and bring

An art camp needs more than paper and paint. You need separate materials for drawing, painting, and clay work, plus enough tables, water cups, aprons, and power access for the whole group. This shopping list helps you check supplies before workshops are assigned and shows where shortages usually cause delays. Count materials by participant and add extras for spills, damaged paper, and late registrations. Keep each workshop’s supplies together so setup does not become a last-minute sorting job.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 36
Registration desk
High tablesqty 3

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 5
Rechargeable work lightsqty 4

Art supplies

Sketchbooksqty 36
Drawing paperqty 250
Watercolor paperqty 100
Canvas clothsqty 36
Acrylic paint setsqty 12
Watercolor paint setsqty 12
Colored pencil setsqty 12
Markersqty 12
Crayonsqty 12
Brushesqty 72
Pencilsqty 72
Erasersqty 36
Pencil sharpenersqty 12
Scissorsqty 24
Glue Sticksqty 36
Paper tapeqty 12
Mixing palettesqty 24
Water cupsqty 36
Apronsqty 36
Modeling clayqty 10
Sculpting toolsqty 12
Stencil templatesqty 24
Craft cardboardqty 100
Ink padsqty 12
Stampsqty 24

Decorations

Art printsqty 20
Buntingqty 6
Adhesive hooksqty 30
Name badgesqty 40
Directional signsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 8
Pouring jugsqty 4

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4

Cleaning

Cleaning clothsqty 12
Bucketsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still water - 24 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Orange soda - 4 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Bread - 8 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Yogurt - 4 kilos
- Muesli - 2 kilo
- Vegetable soup - 6 liters
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Pasta sauce - 4 liters
- Grated cheese - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Count consumable supplies for every registered participant, then add at least 10% extra for paper, pencils, paint, glue, and clay. A group of 20 therefore needs supplies for 22 participants.
Buy or gather one complete workstation per participant where possible: a work surface, paper or canvas, the required tools, water cup, and an apron. This prevents children from waiting for shared equipment.
Plan at least one water cup, mixing palette, and brush set per watercolor or acrylic workstation. Shared paint tools create queues and make it harder to switch between workshops.
Check power needs before shopping or packing equipment. A projector, speaker, extension cords, power strips, and rechargeable work lights should be tested together at least one day before camp.
Prepare protective covers, aprons, paper tape, and cleaning materials before the art supplies arrive on the tables. These are often remembered only after the first paint spill, when setup is already finished.

Frequently asked questions

What art supplies do I need for an art camp?: For a mixed art camp, plan drawing paper, watercolor paper, canvas cloths, sketchbooks, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, colored pencils, markers, crayons, brushes, acrylic and watercolor paint sets, glue sticks, scissors, paper tape, mixing palettes, water cups, aprons, and modeling clay. Add at least 10% extra for consumable materials.
How many art supplies should I buy per child?: Give each participant a personal paper supply and basic drawing tools, then provide one brush set, water cup, palette, and apron per workstation. For 20 children, prepare for 22 wherever supplies are used up or easily damaged.
What equipment is needed for an art camp workshop?: Plan tables and chairs for every participant, plus a registration desk and any high tables needed for specific activities. If you use presentations or music, include a projector, projection screen, Bluetooth speaker, extension cords, power strips, and rechargeable work lights.
When should I order art camp supplies?: Check the material inventory at least two weeks before camp and order missing supplies immediately. Finish sorting materials by workshop no later than the day before, so setup is limited to placing prepared supplies on the worktables.

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