Looking for the best paint by numbers kits for beginners? You're in the right place. Paint by numbers has become one of the most popular stress-relieving hobbies for adults and kids alike, and the number of online shops selling ready-to-paint kits has exploded. But with so many options, first-time buyers often get overwhelmed: too many designs, confusing sizes, and prices that vary from shop to shop.
In this guide, we've rounded up 13 of the best paint by numbers sites for beginners, all offering dedicated "for beginners" collections with easy designs, fewer color mixes, and all-inclusive kits. We've compared each shop's catalog size, price range, and signature styles so you can choose the right first kit in minutes — not hours.
What Is a Paint by Numbers Kit?
A paint by numbers kit is a DIY art set that includes a pre-printed canvas (or board) divided into numbered regions, a set of pre-mixed acrylic paints labeled with matching numbers, and one or more brushes. Your job is simple: paint each numbered section with its corresponding color until the full image is revealed.
No drawing skills required. That's exactly why paint by numbers is such a great beginner craft — the structure of the canvas guides you, so the finished result looks far better than most people expect.
What to Look for in a Beginner-Friendly Kit
Before you compare shops, here's the short checklist that separates a good first kit from a frustrating one:
- Fewer, larger color sections – Simple designs with big areas are faster to finish and more rewarding.
- Limited color count – Beginner designs typically use 5–12 colors. More than 15 can get tiring.
- Small-to-medium canvas size – A 16×20" (40×50 cm) or smaller canvas is ideal for a first project.
- All-inclusive packaging – Canvas, pre-mixed paints, brushes, and a color reference chart should all be in the box.
- Subject you genuinely like – Animals, flowers, kawaii characters, and pop art are the most popular beginner categories for a reason: they're forgiving and fun.
The 13 Best Paint by Numbers Sites for Beginners
Here are our top recommendations, each with a dedicated beginner collection we reviewed. Prices are typical ranges observed on each site in 2026 and can vary by canvas size.
1. Paint by Number for All
Paint by Number for All is a solid all-rounder for first-timers. Its "for beginners" theme carries 64 kits across a friendly mix of abstract animals, flowers, and playful holiday designs (think cute owls, aesthetic flowers, and Santa scenes). Kits are consistently priced from about $26.85 to $47.85 depending on canvas size, and the shop offers handy sorting by popularity, rating, and price.
Best for: Beginners who want a balanced catalog with something in every style.
2. DIY Paint by Number
True to its name, DIY Paint by Number is built around the do-it-yourself experience. The beginner collection lists 54 designs, from kawaii owls and blooming sunflowers to "Books and Coffee" and whimsical banana cartoons — the kind of relaxed, lighthearted subjects that make a low-pressure first project. Prices run roughly $21.96 to $54.85, which makes it one of the more affordable entries on this list.
Best for: Hobbyists who want a wide, eclectic range of cute and casual designs at a low entry price.
3. Go Paint by Number
Go Paint by Number keeps things simple and beginner-focused with a tight selection of 39 kits in its beginners section — small enough to browse in a few minutes, but diverse enough to find your style. Expect popular first-kit favorites like cute baby foxes, frogs, dragons, and BT21 characters. Kits typically cost $27.96 to $48.98, with sizes scaling up and down with the price.
Best for: Shoppers who prefer a curated, no-overwhelm catalog of popular beginner designs.
4. NumeralArt
NumeralArt is one of the biggest catalogs on this list, with 126 designs tagged for beginners. The range spans adorable animals (owls, tigers, turtles, baby sharks), kawaii unicorns, and aesthetic florals — a true "everything shop" for new painters. Prices sit in the $26.98–$46.98 range, and the consistent pricing across sizes makes budgeting easy.
Best for: Beginners who can't decide on a theme and want maximum design variety.
5. Canvas with Numbers
Canvas with Numbers takes a minimal, curated approach: its beginner collection holds just 8 carefully picked designs, including Baby Yoda, a blue dragon, a cute koala, a little turtle, and a toucan. That small, hand-picked selection is the point — you'll find a safe, beginner-proof design quickly. At roughly $13.85 to $47.85, it also has one of the lowest entry prices here, making it a budget-friendly first kit.
Best for: Absolute beginners (and gift buyers) who want a quick, confidence-building first canvas.
6. Modern Paint by Number
Modern Paint by Number is a well-organized shop with 70 beginner designs and 30+ clearly labeled categories — animals, anime, birds, pop art, Harry Potter, Christmas, and even custom canvases. Many kits are listed with a ~32% discount, bringing typical prices down to $28.85–$48.85. The wishlist feature makes it easy to shortlist a few designs before committing.
Best for: Beginners who want strong category navigation and frequent discounts.
7. GATYZTORY
GATYZTORY stands out for sheer volume: its beginner section lists 187 kits, one of the largest on this list, covering everything from abstract stags and aesthetic barbers to kawaii unicorns and pop-art portraits. Nearly every design shows a ~44% discount off the original price, with kits running $26.85–$47.85 by size. The dedicated "Easy and Beginners" collection tag keeps simple designs easy to find.
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want the widest possible choice.
8. The Paint by Numbers
The Paint by Numbers leans into personality with a curated set of 20 designs that feel more like a design studio than a catalog — Alice in Wonderland's rabbit, a giraffe pop art portrait, cherry chocolate cake, and fruit-market street scenes. With kits priced $26.85–$47.85 across sizes, it's a great pick if you want a first canvas that looks genuinely interesting on the wall, not just "practice art."
Best for: Beginners who want a distinctive, gallery-worthy first painting.
9. NumPaints
NumPaints offers 103 designs in its beginners range, with a special strength in minimalist silhouette designs — ballerinas, birds, basketball players — which use only a few colors and are among the easiest possible first projects. Pop art and abstract pieces round out the collection, with discounts up to 50% and prices from $23.85 to $47.85.
Best for: Beginners who want ultra-simple, few-color designs like silhouettes and minimal art.
10. Adult Paint by Number
As the name suggests, Adult Paint by Number targets grown-ups winding down after work. Its beginner collection includes 68 kits — owls, turtles, hummingbirds, barber cats, and sunflower-and-butterfly scenes — all listed with a ~45% discount, keeping prices around $25.78–$47.78. The site also publishes coupon codes, which can shave even more off your first order.
Best for: Adult hobbyists who want calm, relaxing designs and extra discount codes.
11. ColourSilo
ColourSilo (the British-spelling shop) presents a tidy 60-design beginner collection at $24.99–$46.99, with most listings discounted ~50%. Highlights include aesthetic hummingbirds, adorable owls, and seasonal kits like chick-and-Easter-bunny and Christmas designs — several already carry customer star ratings, a nice confidence signal for first-time buyers.
Best for: Beginners who value big markdowns and seasonal, giftable designs.
12. Any Paint by Number
Any Paint by Number is the pop-art lover's beginner shop. Its 68 kits feature bold, high-contrast designs — Andy Warhol-style portraits, Beethoven, boxer dogs, chihuahuas, and a Last Supper reimagining — which are ideal for beginners because bold shapes are easy to paint accurately. Prices range from about $25.78 to $46.79 depending on size.
Best for: Beginners drawn to pop art and bold graphic designs.
13. PBN Canvas
PBN Canvas rounds out the list with the largest catalog on this page — 257 designs in its beginners section. With 35+ categories (from mini kits and mandalas to custom canvases), frequent 44–49% discounts, and consistent $26.85–$47.85 pricing, it's the strongest option for anyone who wants to buy a first kit and keep the hobby going with new designs for months.
Best for: Beginners who want one shop to grow with their hobby.
Quick Comparison: Beginner Kits at a Glance
| # | Shop | Beginner Designs | Typical Price Range | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paint by Number for All | 64 | $26.85–$47.85 | Balanced all-rounder |
| 2 | DIY Paint by Number | 54 | $21.96–$54.85 | Low entry price |
| 3 | Go Paint by Number | 39 | $27.96–$48.98 | Curated, no-overwhelm |
| 4 | NumeralArt | 126 | $26.98–$46.98 | Maximum variety |
| 5 | Canvas with Numbers | 8 | $13.85–$47.85 | Cheapest first kit |
| 6 | Modern Paint by Number | 70 | $28.85–$48.85 | 30+ categories, ~32% off |
| 7 | GATYZTORY | 187 | $26.85–$47.85 | Huge catalog, ~44% off |
| 8 | The Paint by Numbers | 20 | $26.85–$47.85 | Distinctive art direction |
| 9 | NumPaints | 103 | $23.85–$47.85 | Easy silhouette designs |
| 10 | Adult Paint by Number | 68 | $25.78–$47.78 | ~45% off + coupon codes |
| 11 | ColourSilo | 60 | $24.99–$46.99 | ~50% off, rated products |
| 12 | Any Paint by Number | 68 | $25.78–$46.79 | Pop-art specialist |
| 13 | PBN Canvas | 257 | $26.85–$47.85 | Biggest catalog overall |
How to Choose Your First Kit (60-Second Checklist)
- Pick a subject you'd hang on the wall — you're more likely to finish (and frame) it.
- Choose the smallest canvas size in the design's options for your first attempt.
- Count the colors — under 12 is the sweet spot for a first kit.
- Check the box contents — canvas, paints, brushes, and color chart should all be included.
- Compare two or three shops on this list for the same design; designs often appear across multiple stores at different prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a paint by numbers kit?
A paint by numbers kit is a DIY art set containing a numbered canvas, pre-mixed paints labeled by number, brushes, and a reference chart. You fill each numbered section with the matching color to complete the picture — no drawing skill required.
What's the easiest paint by numbers design for a beginner?
Look for designs with large color areas and few colors (5–12). Silhouettes, kawaii animals (owls, cats, koalas), simple flowers, and bold pop art are the most forgiving categories and are the most common in the "for beginners" collections on the sites above.
What canvas size should a beginner start with?
Start small — 12×16" to 16×20" (roughly 30×40 cm to 40×50 cm). A smaller canvas finishes faster, keeps the first project under a weekend, and is cheaper. Most shops on this list let you choose the same design in multiple sizes.
How long does a beginner's paint by numbers take?
A simple design on a small canvas usually takes 2–5 hours, often spread over a few sessions. Larger or more detailed designs can take 10+ hours. Going section by section makes any size manageable.
Do I need art skills for paint by numbers?
No. The pre-printed numbered sections act as a guide, so anyone can complete the painting. It's this low barrier that makes paint by numbers one of the most accessible art hobbies for beginners.
Are the kits all-inclusive?
The kits reviewed on these sites generally include the canvas, pre-mixed acrylic paints, at least one brush, and a color reference chart. Always confirm the product description lists all components before ordering.
Final Verdict
If you want the cheapest first kit, start at Canvas with Numbers (from ~$13.85). If you want the simplest possible designs, try NumPaints' silhouette collection. And if you want one shop with everything — beginner-friendly now and complex designs as you level up — PBN Canvas and GATYZTORY offer the deepest catalogs.
Whichever shop you choose, the best first kit is the one with a design you can't stop looking at. Pick a size that feels doable, a palette that stays under 12 colors, and paint one small section at a time — your first finished canvas is closer than it looks.
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