Sewing is an ideal hobby for little hands; it improves fine motor skills and encourages concentration and creativity. What’s not to love?
It’s well-documented that craft hobbies, and sewing in particular, are great for mindfulness and good mental health; the concentration that’s required, the flow, the developing skills, and the ability to turn your brain off for a few minutes all help us to stay calm and centred. These hobbies are equally important for children to learn, as adults; so by helping little ones develop a love for sewing, you’re also helping them become mentally fit, too.
It can be hard to know how to start your child or grandchild off with sewing, however; like so many crafts and hobbies, it’s a good idea to begin with a kit.
A sewing kit designed for kids will give you everything you need to begin; normally, you’ll get a pattern, threads, fabric to sew on to, and a needle, of course.
What types of sewing kits are available for children?
If you’re buying for a child who has already developed a love for sewing and has some of the early skills, then there are lots of more advanced kits for those who aren’t beginners any longer.
Depending on the age of the child you’re buying for, you’ll need to make sure the sewing kit is safe and age-appropriate; you can find ones with different types of needles that are safe for different ages. Some needles will have huge holes that are easy to thread, and you might want to start with a plastic needle that’s not very sharp (and therefore not so easy to jab into siblings’ hands). Always make sure the children are supervised while enjoying these sewing kits – whether they’re using plastic or metal needles and scissors.
You’ll also need to choose between straight-forward sewing kits, complete with a pattern, or perhaps dive into a cross-stitch kit for something a bit different. We’ve chosen our favourite sewing kits for children, ranging from practising new skills to completing fun projects, making toys, decorations and even an apron.
Best sewing kits for kids 2022
Whether you’re looking for a sewing kit for a beginner or a child who’s already found a few skills, sewing is a craft hobby that can last a lifetime – and will certainly get eyes away from the tablet or mobile. Take a look at our selection, from starter kits to projects, and cross-stitch.
First sewing kits
Best sewing and embroidery kit for kids
www.notonthehighstreet.com
If you’re looking to buy your little one a massive kit full of everything they need to start sewing, this is ideal – it’s a bumper suitcase containing plenty of sewing equipment, for sewing, cross-stitching, and embroidery. The kit includes fabric, hoops, scissors, needles, ribbon, and lots of different-coloured threads.
Best sewing kit for beginners
www.onbuy.com
This first sewing kit includes foam boards for little hands to practise sewing with; much easier to handle than fabric for starting out with a needle and thread. The kit comes with string, plastic needles, foam boards, gems for decorating, and instructions.
Tested by Eli Knight (4); his mum, Sophie Knight, said: “Eli was fascinated straight away by this kit and I was surprised at how easily he took to it. He’s done threading before but he enjoyed making something entirely. The foam is quite flimsy and did break in a couple of places, but that didn’t affect his enjoyment. A good starter kit.”
Best sewing kit for older children
With 28 shapes and designs to sew, plenty of thread, needles, pins, buttons, pom poms, ribbon and more, this suitcase of sewing equipment is the ideal way to start a little one sewing. The designs are fun and brightly coloured.
Best embroidery kit for older children
www.argos.co.uk
This embroidery hoop kit allows little hands to create a positive embroidered message to hang on their bedroom wall, with a colourful rainbow and dots design. Suitable for older children - the box says 14+, but you'll know best.
Sewing project kits
Best dinosaur sewing kit
www.hobbycraft.co.uk
A great little gift for birthdays or Christmas stockings, this T-rex is full of character. The felt pieces are already cut out with stitch holes for easy assembly. Tested by Eli Knight (4); his mum, Sophie Knight, said: “This is a fun little kit, easy for small hands, and Eli loves dinosaurs so it was a quick hit.”
Best sewing project for kids
www.onbuy.com
A great little project for small hands, which you can seamlessly then use to get them baking in the kitchen afterwards. Includes fabric, apron ties, the pattern and instructions.
Best animal sewing kit for kids
www.onbuy.com
Practice those sewing skills while making little animal pals – this sewing kit has 10 velvet pictures on thick board for kids to enjoy making.
Recommended sewing kit for kids
www.hobbycraft.co.uk
This cheeky raccoon with super cape is easy for little hands to work on, and can make a fun cushion for their bedroom once completed. The price is great for this little sewing kit. Tested by Eli Knight (4); his mum, Sophie Knight, said: “Eli was very excited to get working on this funny raccoon – a great character to grab his interest. I had to help him quite a bit, so this is probably one for a year or so’s time for him.”
Best jungle sewing kit for kids
Make your own jungle friends with this kit, which comes in a funky leaf-patterned little suitcase. Comes with plastic needles, kids’ scissors, thread and stuffing.
Best woodland sewing kit for kids
This fun kit comes with 12 felt animals to sew, and two flowers, with a woodland theme. Felt is easy to sew for little fingers, and the kit comes with thread, plastic needles, scissors, filling and instructions.
Best teddy sewing kit for kids
www.johnlewis.com
A lovely kit that makes a cute teddy bear, all inside a little tin that makes this idea as a letterbox gift. The template comes with stitch holes ready for little fingers to get sewing, stuffing, thread, and a plastic needle.
Best narwhal sewing kit for kids
www.notonthehighstreet.com
Sock monkeys are so last decade – we love a sock narwhal, instead. Choose from a variety of different-coloured striped socks for your narwhal; the kit even comes with a birth certificate and a squeaker.
Best wall hanging sewing kit for kids
www.johnlewis.com
One for older kids, this sewing kit makes a cute wall hanging – perfect for children to decorate their rooms with, or to give as a gift once made. The kit includes felt, templates, needle and thread, batten and twine; there’s lots of cutting out required as well as sewing, so it’s definitely better suited for more experienced children.
Cross-stitch kits for kids
Best cross-stitch sewing kit for kids
www.fiestacrafts.co.uk
For kids starting out with cross-stitch, this is a fun kit containing everything they need, plus it all comes in a little suitcase – which is our favourite bit. Contains threads, fabric, and instructions. You can expect a cross-stitched key ring for your next birthday.
Best cross-stitch kit for beginners
A comprehensive cross-stitch kit with six cute designs, two hoops, 12 colours of thread, and five needles. Once the little pictures have been completed, they’d look great hung in the children’s bedroom or playroom.
Recommended cross-stitch kit for kids
www.hobbycraft.co.uk
At just one pound, this makes an ideal stocking filler or little gift, perhaps to send in the post with a birthday card; but that doesn’t mean it’s not great fun. The best things come in small packages, and if little ones are starting out with cross-stitch, this is the cutest little present. One for older children, as cross-stitch needs experienced motor skills that little ones will struggle with.