10 Craft Tools Every Beginner Needs to Get Started

Starting a new hobby can feel overwhelming—especially when you don’t know what you need. But don’t worry, we’ve helped plenty of beginners get started with crafting, and we know exactly which tools will make it fun and easy. You’re in the right place, and we’ve got your back.

Craft tools every beginner needs to get started include scissors, glue, a cutting mat, craft knife, ruler, and basic supplies like tape and brushes. These must-have tools create a strong foundation for nearly every type of crafting project.

That’s just the beginning! If you want to know why these tools matter—and discover a few extra tips along the way—keep reading. This guide is packed with beginner-friendly craft tools, starter kits, and simple crafting 101 advice.

Must-Have Craft Tools Every Beginner Needs to Get Started

If you’re just getting started with crafting, knowing which tools to buy can feel confusing. You want to jump in, but you also don’t want to waste money on things you might not need. Don’t worry—we’ve made it simple. Here are the top 10 craft tools every beginner needs to get started with confidence.

These tools are helpful for almost every type of craft, from paper projects to small DIY creations. They’re easy to use, budget-friendly, and make a big difference in how your projects turn out. Once you have these basics, you’ll be ready for almost anything.

1. Scissors
A good pair of craft scissors is a must. You’ll use them for cutting paper, ribbon, felt, and more. Choose scissors with a sharp, pointed tip for best results.

2. Craft Knife
For detailed cutting, a craft knife (like an X-Acto) is super helpful. It lets you cut shapes, corners, and fine edges cleanly.

3. Self-Healing Cutting Mat
This mat protects your table and makes cutting easier. It also helps your craft knife last longer and keeps your cuts straight.

4. Ruler
A clear or metal ruler is great for measuring and making straight lines. Look for one with both inches and centimeters.

5. Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
A hot glue gun is fast and strong. It works well for crafts that need a solid hold, like wood, foam, or fabric.

6. Double-Sided Tape
This tape is mess-free and great for paper crafts. It holds without drying time and doesn’t wrinkle the paper.

7. Pencil and Eraser
You’ll want to sketch or mark spots before cutting. Keep a soft pencil and clean eraser in your kit.

8. Paint Brushes
Even if you don’t paint a lot, it’s smart to have a few small brushes. Use them for detail work, glue, or even Mod Podge.

9. Basic Acrylic Paints
Craft paint comes in lots of colors and is fun for signs, wood crafts, and paper. Start with red, blue, yellow, black, and white—you can mix anything from there.

10. Storage Box or Bin
Having a place to keep all your tools neat and safe is just as important as the tools themselves. It saves time and helps you stay organized.

Quick Look: Top 10 Beginner Craft Tools

Tool Name	What It's Used For	Beginner Tip
Scissors	Cutting paper, ribbon, fabric	Use sharp-pointed scissors for clean edges
Craft Knife	Cutting small shapes and details	Always use it on a cutting mat for safety
Self-Healing Cutting Mat	Protects your work surface	Pick one with grid lines to help cut straight
Ruler	Measuring and drawing straight lines	Clear rulers help you see your marks better
Glue Gun & Sticks	Quick and strong bonding	Use a low-temp glue gun for safer use
Double-Sided Tape	Mess-free paper sticking	Great for cards, scrapbooks, and posters
Pencil & Eraser	Sketching and marking spots	Use light pencil marks so they erase easily
Paint Brushes	Adding paint, glue, or detail work	Start with a small brush set for more options
Acrylic Paints	Coloring wood, paper, and more	Primary colors can be mixed to make any color
Storage Bin or Box	Keeping your supplies organized	Label each section to find things faster

These beginner craft tools are the perfect place to start. They’ll help you feel ready and excited to create. But what if you want to build a full beginner kit, or buy one already made? Let’s look at what should go inside a basic craft kit.

What Should Be in a Beginner Craft Kit?

Now that you know which craft tools are most important, let’s talk about building a full beginner craft kit. This kit will include your tools and some extra supplies that will help you start your first projects with ease.

You can make your own kit or buy one that’s already put together. Making your own means you get to pick your favorite things. Buying one can be quick and easy if you want to get started fast.

Beginner Craft Kit Checklist

• Scissors: Sharp ones for cutting paper, ribbon, and fabric.
• Craft knife: For cutting small shapes and details.
• Cutting mat: To protect your table and keep your cuts clean.
• Ruler: For straight lines and measuring your craft pieces.
• Glue gun & glue sticks: Great for sticking things fast and strong.
• Double-sided tape: No mess and perfect for paper crafts.
• Pencil & eraser: For sketching and fixing small mistakes.
• Paint brushes & paints: Good for decorating and adding color.
• Markers or colored pencils: Fun for drawing and writing.
• Craft paper: Start with colorful cardstock or construction paper.
• Washi tape: Pretty tape to decorate and hold things together.
• Storage bin or box: Keep everything neat and easy to find.

Most of these supplies work for many types of crafts, so you won’t outgrow them right away. They’re also affordable and easy to find at craft stores or online.

Once your kit is ready, you might be wondering—what if you’re on a budget? Let’s talk about the best tools to start with when money is tight.

Best Tools to Start With (If You're On a Budget)

Crafting doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. If you’re on a budget, you can still get great tools that work well without spending too much. The key is to choose smart and start simple.

Some craft tools are more important than others when you’re just starting out. You can always add more later, but these budget-friendly picks will help you begin crafting right away.

Top Budget-Friendly Craft Tools

• Basic Scissors: Start with one good pair that cuts paper and fabric.
• Craft Knife: A low-cost craft knife can still make clean, sharp cuts.
• Cutting Mat: Look for a small self-healing mat—it lasts a long time.
• Glue Stick or White Glue: These are cheap and great for paper crafts.
• Ruler: A plastic or wooden ruler works just fine to start.
• Markers or Colored Pencils: You can find starter packs at dollar stores.

You can often find great deals at local dollar stores, craft store sales, or even in school supply aisles. Don’t be afraid to use coupons or shop secondhand for tools and supplies.

Even with just a few items, you can make amazing things. And if you're not sure which tools you'll need for your favorite type of crafting, we’ve got you covered—let’s look at how to choose the right tools for different craft types.

How Do I Know Which Tools I’ll Need for My Craft Type?

Not all crafts use the same tools. The best craft tools for you will depend on what kind of crafting you want to do. Some tools work for lots of crafts, while others are more specific.

Start by picking a type of craft that sounds fun to you. Then, check out which tools are most useful for that kind of project. You don’t need everything—just a few key items to begin.

Tool Ideas by Craft Type

• Paper Crafts: Scissors, glue stick, ruler, craft knife, washi tape, and colorful paper.
• Painting Crafts: Paint brushes, acrylic paints, palette, cup for water, and paper towels.
• Sewing or Fabric Crafts: Fabric scissors, needles, thread, measuring tape, and pins.
• Kids Crafts: Safety scissors, glue, stickers, foam shapes, markers, and pipe cleaners.
• DIY Décor: Hot glue gun, ruler, craft knife, cutting mat, and paints or stencils.

If you're not sure which craft is right for you, try a few small projects from different types. You'll quickly learn which ones you enjoy and which tools feel best to use.

And once you’ve picked your tools and started crafting, keeping them organized is super helpful. Let’s check out some easy and smart ways to store your supplies next.

Smart Craft Tool Storage & Organization Tips

When your craft tools are easy to find, crafting is a lot more fun. You don’t need a big room or fancy shelves to stay organized—just a few smart ideas that work in small spaces too.

Keeping your tools neat helps you spend more time making things and less time searching for glue sticks or scissors. It also keeps your supplies safe and in good shape.

Easy Storage Ideas for Beginners

• Plastic bins with lids: Great for stacking and keeping dust out.
• Pencil cases: Perfect for scissors, markers, or paint brushes.
• Drawer organizers: These help keep small things like tape or stickers in place.
• Jars and cups: Use them to hold brushes, pencils, and tools you use often.
• Shoe boxes: Cover them in fun paper and use for papers, glue, or paints.
• Zip bags: Handy for keeping projects or supplies together.

You can also label everything so it’s easy to grab what you need. A small cart or shelf can help you roll your tools to any room and keep everything in one spot.

Staying organized is a big part of having a great time with crafts. But tools aren’t the only secret—knowing how to avoid mistakes is just as important. Let’s go over common beginner crafting mistakes and how the right tools can help you fix them.

Crafting Mistakes Beginners Make (And How the Right Tools Help)

Everyone makes mistakes when they’re learning something new—crafting is no different. But the good news is, the right tools can help you avoid a lot of those little mess-ups. Let’s take a look at some common beginner crafting problems and how to fix them.

Common Crafting Mistakes and Easy Fixes

• Messy glue jobs: Use a glue stick or small paintbrush with white glue to control how much you use.
• Crooked cuts: A ruler and a craft knife on a cutting mat help make super straight lines.
• Frayed fabric edges: Use sharp fabric scissors and cut slowly to keep edges clean.
• Paint smudges: Let paint dry between steps and use a small brush for tiny details.
• Lost supplies: Keep everything in labeled bins or boxes so you always know where things are.

These are small mistakes, but they can make your projects harder than they need to be. That’s why having the right tools—like a good ruler or a glue gun—can make crafting easier and more fun.

Now that we’ve covered mistakes to watch for, let’s explore a few bonus tools and supplies that can really level up your crafting skills, even if you’re just getting started.

Crafting 101: Extra Supplies That Make a Big Difference

Once you have your main tools, there are a few extra craft supplies that can make your projects even better. These aren’t must-haves, but they’re fun to use and can help you get more creative. Think of them as bonus items for your growing craft kit.

Some of these supplies help you add color, make cleaner folds, or add a special touch to your crafts. They’re great for when you’re ready to try something new or just want to level up your skills.

Helpful Bonus Craft Supplies

• Bone folder: Helps you fold paper neatly and sharply—great for cards and origami.
• Mod Podge: A glue, sealer, and finish all in one—awesome for collages and décor.
• Paper trimmer: Cuts straight lines quickly without using scissors or a knife.
• Tweezers: Make it easier to grab tiny pieces like sequins or stickers.
• Paint palette: Keeps your paint colors organized while you work.

You don’t need to buy all of these right away. Start with the tools you use most and slowly add new ones as your skills grow. These extras can turn a simple project into something amazing.

We’ve covered a lot of tools, tips, and tricks, so let’s wrap it all up with a quick review of everything you’ve learned—and help you feel confident about getting started.

Craft Your Way to a Great Start!

Getting started with crafting is a lot easier when you have the right tools. From scissors and glue to rulers and cutting mats, these must-have items help you feel ready for any project. We also shared how to build a beginner craft kit, save money, stay organized, and avoid common mistakes.

Remember, you don’t need everything all at once. Start simple, have fun, and add new tools as you go. Crafting is about being creative, making cool stuff, and enjoying the process. Now grab your supplies and get ready to craft something awesome!