As you prepare to send your child back to school, you may be focused on nutritious snacks and informing teachers about celiac disease and classroom precautions. One area often overlooked is arts and crafts supplies—many of which contain gluten or other food allergens.
When we first discovered how many common art materials include gluten, we were surprised. We compiled a list and shared it with our daughter’s teacher last year. Since then we’ve expanded it and included safe alternatives below. If you’re ever unsure whether a product contains gluten or another allergen, check the manufacturer’s website for ingredient information or contact the company directly by phone or email for clarification.
Teachers already have many responsibilities, so we try to make things easier by providing clear, easy-to-use handouts whenever possible. At the end of this article you’ll find a printable version you can bring to your child’s school or daycare outlining art supplies that commonly contain gluten and suggested safe substitutions.
Arts & Crafts that may contain gluten
Play Dough
Many commercial play doughs contain wheat, including popular brands like Play-Doh and some Crayola dough products. Consider these gluten-free alternatives:
- Soy-Yer Dough – gluten-free modeling dough
- Colorations Wheat & Gluten-Free Dough
- Crayola Model Magic
- Kinetic Sand (check individual product ingredients)
There are additional lists of gluten-free play dough options compiled by advocacy blogs and parent resources; when in doubt, verify directly with the brand.
Counting and Sorting Activities
Teachers frequently use small food items—jelly beans, M&M’s, pasta, etc.—for color and counting lessons. These items can contain gluten or be cross-contaminated. Speak with your child’s teacher to choose safe alternatives. For example, Jelly Belly offers a gluten-free line of jelly beans. If the class will handle gluten-containing foods, discuss cross-contamination precautions to protect children with celiac disease or severe allergies.
Finger Paint
Some finger paints include wheat or oats in their formulations. Always read labels for gluten or other food allergens. Many mainstream paint brands, including Crayola, list gluten-free ingredients for their paints—confirm current labeling on the manufacturer’s website before use.
Paper Mache
Traditional paper mache uses wheat flour as a binder. Use an alternative glue-based paste instead, or make a simple mixture from white glue and water. This substitute avoids wheat flour while delivering similar results for projects.
Macaroni Art
Regular pasta is typically made from wheat and can also contain egg. Swap in gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, corn, or other gluten-free grains. These alternatives come in many shapes and sizes suitable for craft projects.
Craft Paste and Glue
Some craft pastes contain wheat. To be safe, use glue sticks or white school glue (such as Elmer’s) that are labeled gluten-free. Always check product labels and manufacturer information to confirm.
Download a Printable Handout For School
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list of art supplies that may contain gluten. It covers commonly used materials based on our experience. Always read product ingredient labels and verify current manufacturing information on the manufacturer’s website before using any item.