We are a Crayola family. I’m not being paid to say that, it’s just what’s in our art bins, and what I used to stock my classroom with. When a marker ends up on a shirt or paint ends up somewhere it absolutely shouldn’t be (it has, many times), I know it’s coming out in the wash. After two boys and a lot of art, that’s the whole reason I keep buying the same brand.
This page has every Crayola product I recommend across the site, all 23 of them. Since nearly all of them are art supplies, I sorted them the same way I sort our art supplies guide: by how much mess you’re willing to live with. Art is one of the 11 play categories in our toy rotation, so you only need one or two of these out at a time.
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Why We’re a Crayola Family
I have one tidy artist and one full-send artist, so our supplies have to work for both. Here’s why Crayola wins at our house:
- It washes out. Their washable markers and paints come out of clothes every time. That lowers my stress level more than any art smock ever has.
- It holds up. The colored pencils don’t show up full of broken lead, the Twistables don’t snap in a backpack, and the jumbo crayons survive being thrown across the floor.
- It covers every mess level. From Color Wonder (nothing shows up except on the special paper) to real tempera paint, one brand fills is consistent and has it all covered!
The downsides: the Color Wonder line only works on Color Wonder paper, so you’re buying refills forever (but you can buy the paper in bulk), and some kids really don’t like it (more on that below). The modeling clay gets messy once it warms up in little hands. And even the spill-proof stuff isn’t toddler-proof if you walk away.
Crayola Art Supplies by Age
| Age | What to look for | More toys for this age |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | Finger paint station (actual paint) | Toys for 12 to 17 months |
| 18 months+ | Palm-grip crayons, the mess-free finger painting station | Toys for 18 to 23 months |
| 2+ | Construction paper, the light-up drawing pad, the butterfly finger paint palette | Toys for 2 year olds |
| 3+ | Washable markers, Twistables, colored pencils, Color Wonder, washable paint | Toys for 3 year olds |
| 4+ | Jumbo crayons, the watercolor palette, modeling clay | Toys for 4 year olds |
| 5 and 6 | Everything above, with more detail work (colored pencils and watercolor shine here) | Toys for 5 year olds and 6 year olds |
Everyday Crayola Staples
No matter which mess tier you land in (from: I can tolerate unlimited mess, to: please don’t wreck my house I just cleaned), these are the basics I keep stocked, from toddler scribbles to preschool projects to first grade homework.
Crayons, markers, and pencils are also some of the best fine motor tools you can own, because every coloring session is grip practice.
Palm-Grip Crayons (ages 1+)
These egg-shaped crayons are made for a whole-fist grab, which is how a 1 year old holds everything anyway. They let little ones figure out that pushing something on paper makes color, without you holding their hand through it. They’re the first art supply I’d hand a 1 year old.
Crayola; My First Crayola; Palm-Grip Crayons
These egg-shaped crayons let little ones understand grasp and making color on paper without needing help.
- 6 palm-grip egg shaped crayons are sized to fit toddlers' palms so they can easily make their first marks
- My First Crayola art tools provide children their first art supplies made especially for their little hands so they can create
- Introduces toddlers to color exploration as they develop Physical and Thinking skills
- AP Certified nontoxic
Ultra Clean Washable Markers (ages 3+)
If you only buy one Crayola product, make it these. They’re the markers I trust to wash out of skin, shirts, and (most) walls. A 40-pack sounds like a lot until you realize how many caps get left off. At one point I had to lock our art supplies away because caps were getting left off and things were getting stepped on. When they came back out, washable was non-negotiable.
Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers (40ct)
We are a Crayola family. You can rely on the markers and paints to wash out every time.
- CRAYOLA BROAD LINE MARKERS: Features 40 Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers in assorted colors that offer practicality, versatility, and creativity all in one package.
- WASHABLE MARKERS: Each less-mess colored marker washes easily from skin, washable clothing, and most painted walls.
Jumbo Crayons (ages 4+)
The box says 4+, but this is really about strength, not grip. My 4 year old didn’t need the chunky size to hold them. We needed crayons that could survive being thrown across the floor, and these are much sturdier than regular crayons. If you have a crayon-snapper, start here.
CRAYOLA Crayon Extra Jumbo So Big, 12 Pack
My 4 year old didn't necessarily need the big crayons for grip, but we did need them for STRENGTH. These jumbo crayons are much stronger than regular crayons and withstand the throwing across the floor that one might encounter with a toddler.
- 12 Extra Jumbo So Big Crayons
- They are extra sturdy, so they won't break easily
- Ideal and functional for kindergarten and primary school use
- 25% thicker than classic crayons
- True Colors, Non-Toxic
The rest of our staples: Twistables solve the broken-crayon problem in bookbags and supply bins (no peeling, no sharpening). The colored pencils don’t come with tons of broken lead like cheaper brands. And the construction paper is sturdy but still easy for little hands to cut and glue, so it covers paper chains, paper airplanes, and painting.
Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons for Kids (50ct)
I love coloring with crayons, but even the best crayons tend to break in bookbags and supply bins. These crayons solve the breaking problem!
- CRAYOLA TWISTABLES CRAYON SET: This kids' coloring set includes 50 Crayola Mini Twistable Crayons, perfect for little hands.
- LESS MESS COLORING: Unlike traditional crayons, Crayola Twistable Crayons require no peeling or sharpening, making them a great less-mess option for coloring.
- DURABLE AND LONG-LASTING: Made with high-quality materials, these crayons for toddlers and kids are built to last.
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct)
Unlike other brands, Crayola colored pencils won't come with tons of broken lead.
- 36 CRAYOLA COLORED PENCILS: Explore a spectrum of color with 36 distinct colored pencils that transform artwork into vibrant masterpieces.
- IDEAL FOR COLORING BOOKS: Designed to glide smoothly across the page, these pencils bring coloring books to life.
- PRESHARPENED & DURABLE: Soft cores won't break easily, and presharpened tips are ready for use right out of the box.
Crayola Construction Paper
This construction paper is durable, yet easy to cut and paste. Kids can make paper chains, paper airplanes, or color and paint.
No Mess: Color Wonder and Light-Up Art
These are the supplies I hand over without a mat, without hovering, and without a second thought 🥳 If you’re worried about paint on the walls during quiet time, or anywhere you can’t clean up after them, start here.
The thing almost all of these have in common is the special Color Wonder paper: the markers and paints go on clear and only show up on that paper. Not on hands, not on the table, not on the couch.
The Honest Truth About Color Wonder
I love the Crayola mess-free system much more than my kids do (it’s a shame!). There’s a 1 to 2 second delay between the clear ink touching the page and the color showing up. For my oldest, that was a deal-breaker. He never really created with them. My second is more open to it, but he still prefers regular coloring and painting.
That being said, I still have these in our travel bag, and for quiet time, because I know they can play mess-free. And when it’s the only option, they use it. Plus, now that my oldest understands the time-delay, he’s actually coming back around to them.
Color Wonder Magic Light Brush (ages 3+)
If you only try one Color Wonder product, try this one. The brush lights up in whatever color it’s touching, so kids see the color right away even though the paint goes on clear. That helps with the delay problem. My kids thought it was so cool. And yes, you can mix the paints (blue and red still make purple).
Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush
My kids thought it was so cool that the paint brush lit up in whatever color the paint it was touching was! And if you're wondering if you can mix paints (like blue and red make purple), the answer is yes!
- COLOR WONDER PAINT SET: Dive into creativity with a Magic Light Brush Unit, 6 vibrant Color Wonder Paints, and 18 sheets of magical Color Wonder Paper!
- LIGHT UP PAINT BRUSH: Watch the magic unfold as the paintbrush lights up to reveal the paint color, adding an exciting surprise to every stroke!
- 6 MESS FREE PAINT PADS: Enjoy endless fun with mess-free paint pads featuring 6 classic Color Wonder paints that never dry out!
- MESS FREE PAINTING KIT: Say goodbye to messes! Color Wonder Paints only appear on special Color Wonder Paper, keeping skin, clothing, and walls spotless.
- CONVENIENT DESIGN: Keep your art station tidy with handy brush clips for easy storage, ensuring everything is ready for the next masterpiece.
Color Wonder Fingerpaint and Stamper Kit (ages 3+)
This is for the days your kid wants to get messy and you are not in the mood for cleanup on aisle 10. They get to finger paint and stamp, and nothing gets on their hands, the table, or the floor. It’s real sensory play without the bath afterward.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Fingerpaint & Stamper Kit
Get messy without the mess! You can finger paint and stamp without ever getting any color on your hands, table, or floor! These are great for the days your little one wants to get messy but you're not in the mood for clean-up on aisle 10.
- COLOR WONDER FINGERPAINT & STAMPER KIT: Includes 5 Color Wonder Ink Pads, 5 Safari Stamps, and 1 Stamp Holder.
- 2 WAYS TO CREATE: Kids can use the included nontoxic, mess-free inks to fingerpaint or use with the mess-free safari stamps. (Requires Color Wonder Paper – sold separately).
- MESS FREE COLORING: Color Wonder Colors appear only on special Color Wonder paper, not on skin, clothing, or carpets.
- TRAVEL FRIENDLY: This travel activity for kids keeps them busy on long road trips or flights.
- SAFE & NONTOXIC: Safe and nontoxic, ideal for ages 3 & up.
The rest of the Color Wonder line: the activity set comes with stamps you can color, the fingerprint book is an easy grab-and-go kit (the invisible paint pots don’t dry out), and the paintbrush pens work like markers with a brush tip. Bluey fans get their own coloring set and a light-up stamper that shows the paint color as they stamp. Grab the 50-page paper pack and the marker refills once you know your kid likes it, since everything only works on that paper.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Activity Set
This set is super-fun to use with the included stamps that you can color.
- CRAYOLA COLOR WONDER ACTIVITY SET: This coloring kit for kids includes 24 Blank Color Wonder Coloring Pages, 3 Sticker Sheets, 1 Ink Pad, 5 Stamps, 1 Stamp Holder, 5 Color Wonder Markers, and 1 Carrying Case.
- MESS FREE COLORING: Keep the Color Wonder fun going with no-mess ink that only appears on special Color Wonder Paper – never on skin, clothing, or furniture!
- ON THE GO & AT HOME: Keep busy on a long road trip, in a waiting room, or at home with with a convenient carrying case that makes coloring easy for on-the-go creativity.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Fingerprint Activity Book
This is a fun kit to take on the go. The invisible paint pots won't dry up, and they won't show on skin or surfaces other than the special paper. It's fun for kids to get the sensory experience of finger painting without the mess.
- COLOR WONDER FINGERPRINT INK SET: Features 1 Ink Pad Tray (including 5 Ink Colors) and 27 Mess-Free Fingerprint Ink Painting Activity Book Pages.
- MESS FREE PAINTING: The Color Wonder Clear Fingerprint Inks are invisible! They only reveal their color on special mess-free Color Wonder Paper, not on skin, clothing, or walls. Ideal for toddlers and young kids.
- LONG LASTING COLOR: The mess-free fingerprinting inks are designed to prevent drying out and keep creativity flowing without hassle.
- ADAPTIVE TOOLS & SENSORY TOYS FOR KIDS: The Crayola Color Wonder Fingerprint Ink set uses tactile and mess free art, perfectly suited for kids and artists with diverse needs.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Paintbrush Pens
These paint brushes come in different colors like markers, but have a brush tip. They are pre-filled with invisible paint solution so you can get painting without getting messy.
- COLOR WONDER PAINT SET: Features 8 Color Wonder Paintbrush Pens for use with Color Wonder Paper & Coloring Pages (each sold separately).
- KIDS PAINTS: Let kids explore sensory play with paints designed for beginner artists.
- MESS FREE PAINTING: Inspire kids to be creative with mess free paints in 8 vibrant colors. Color Wonder Paints only appear on special Color Wonder Paper, not on skin, clothing, or walls.
Crayola Bluey Color Wonder Coloring Set
We love everything Crayola at my house!
- COLOR WONDER SET: Contains 18 Bluey Coloring Pages and 5 Color Wonder Markers.
- MESS FREE COLORING: Colors appear only on special Color Wonder paper, not on skin, clothing, or carpets.
- BLUEY ARTWORK: This set of Bluey coloring pages that feature fun line art that fans of the series will love!
- ORGANIZED & TRAVEL FRIENDLY: Folder style packaging works as reusable storage for your coloring pages and markers.
- COLOR WONDER SUPPLIES: Works with all Color Wonder Paints, Markers, and Stamps.
- SAFE & NONTOXIC: Safe and nontoxic, ideal for ages 3 & up.
Crayola Magic Light Up Bluey Stamper Art Set
The stamps light up with the color of the paint you touch. It shows your little one the color of the paint, despite the paint going on clear.
- COLOR WONDER STAMP SET: Includes a Bluey Branded Light-up Stamper Unit, 3 Vibrant Ink Pads, 18 Unique Coloring Activity Pages, 10 Bluey Character Stamps, and 3 Color Wonder Markers (3 AA Batteries required – not included).
- MESS FREE CREATIVITY: Color Wonder paints only appear on special Color Wonder paper, keeping skin, clothing, and walls clean.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Paper (50ct)
This is just a pack of 50 pages of blank paper that works with all Color Wonder products (like the markers, paints, finger paints, stamps, etc.)
- COLOR WONDER PAPER: Features 50 Blank Color Wonder Papers that work with Color Wonder Mess Free Markers and Paint (sold separately).
- COLOR WONDER MESS FREE: Color Wonder Markers, Stamps, and Paints (each sold separately) only appear on specially formulated Color Wonder Paper, not on skin, clothing, or furniture!
- PRINTABLE COLORING: Support your kid's self-expression with these printable blank pages. Kids can choose and print a coloring page design from anywhere they'd like for a custom mess free coloring page.
Mess Free Finger Painting Station (ages 1+)
This is the one I recommend for the youngest artists. The paint sits under a thin layer of plastic, so toddlers push real finger paint around a canvas without touching it. If you’d rather DIY it, a zip-top bag with a few squirts of paint and a piece of paper inside does the same job in the high chair.
Crayola Mess Free Finger Painting Station
This kit let's your little one play with actual finger paints without any mess. The paint goes under a thin layer of plastic that lets toddlers push the paints around a canvas and create a masterpiece!
- TODDLER FINGER PAINT SET: Features Easy Clean Finger Paint Case, 3 (5 oz) Squeeze Bottles of Washable Finger Paint, and 10 Coated Sheets of Finger Painting Paper. (Refill with Crayola Washable Fingerpaints & Giant Fingerpaint Pad – sold separately).
- MESS-FREE FINGER PAINTING: This toddler painting set lets little artists finger paint on the flexible Finger Paint Unit cover. Finger Paint and Paper are secured under the locked lid for mess-free creativity!
- EASY CLEAN-UP: Put the Finger Paint Unit under the faucet or in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
- SENSORY ART TOY: The flexible covering allows little artists to explore textures and colors with their hands, making it an excellent sensory art toy for kids.
The light-up drawing pad isn’t Color Wonder, but it belongs here. We love it for the lights and sounds, the finger-drawing is easy for little hands, and it glows in the dark.
Crayola Light Up Drawing Pad
We love this board for the lights sounds, and easy creations using just your fingers. Plus it lights up and glows in the dark!
- CRAYOLA TODDLER DOODLE BOARD: The Crayola Toddler Touch Lights Musical Doodle Board comes with 6 Songs, 12 Light Up Colors, and 1 Instruction Sheet. Requires 3 AA batteries (not included).
- MESS FREE PAINTING PAD: Enjoy mess free finger painting right on the self-contained gel surface for stress-free playtime.
- TODDLER SENSORY TOY: This sensory board stimulates tiny fingertips with textures and colors, making it a great educational and learning toy for toddlers!
- 6 SONGS: Toddlers can hum along to 6 tunes that stir creativity while doodling!
Contained Mess: Paint Sets That Don’t Spill
These need a table, a mat, or a chair you don’t mind getting marked up, but nothing is a disaster if it goes slightly off script. At our house that means a mat under the art table and spill-proof water cups from the Dollar Tree for rinsing brushes.
Watercolor Pop and Paint Palette (ages 4+)
We love our set. You pop the paints into the palette to make a fresh one, the paints keep forever without drying out, and all you add is water. It’s real painting with way less cleanup than tempera, which makes it a great first step into paint for 4 and 5 year olds.
Crayola Watercolor Pop & Paint Palette
Create a fresh paint palette every time. We love our set because the paints keep forever without drying out. Just add water to paint.
- WATERCOLOR PAINT SET: Features 96 Disposable Paint Chips, a Refillable Water Brush, Cleaning Sponge, and Reusable Paint Palette.
- LESS MESS PAINTING: The included Water Brush helps avoid drips and spills. Crayola Watercolor Paint is washable from skin and most washable clothing.
- CRAYOLA COLORS: Enjoy classic Crayola colors with 16 paint strips in 8 color, including 2 of each color with 6 chips per strip.
The spill-proof paint set uses semi-solid paint, so there’s nothing to splatter or knock over. Kids dip a wet brush in the pot and paint. It’s a good in-between if liquid paint makes you nervous.
Crayola Spill Proof Paint Set Washable Paint Set
These paints are so fun. They are semi solid, so they won't splatter or spill. Just dip a wet paintbrush in the pot to create a design.
- CRAYOLA PAINT SET FOR KIDS: Includes everything young artists needu20145 washable spill-proof paints in reusable jars, 1 paintbrush, 20 sheets of paper, and an instruction sheet for easy creative fun.
- SPILL-PROOF ART SUPPLIES: Semi-solid paints are designed to prevent spills, drips, and messes, making painting stress-free for parents and perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
- WASHABLE PAINT: Crayola Washable Paints clean easily from skin and most washable clothing, so cleanup is quick and worry-free.
- SAFE AND NONTOXIC: Safe and nontoxic formula for kids ages 3 and up, giving parents peace of mind while kids explore creativity.
Full Send: Real Paint and Clay
These need a space you’ve accepted will show wear. Full disclosure: the room where my kids do art has permanent paint on the floor and marks on the walls. I decided that room was the sacrifice. If that’s not you, stick with the no-mess tiers above, or save these for a rainy week when everyone is stuck inside anyway.
Washable Kids Paint (ages 3+)
Use it for painting, stamping, or finger painting. Trust me when I say this paint has gotten everywhere in my house, and I can count on Crayola to wash out every time. Washable helps a lot with clothes and skin, but I still wouldn’t use it near carpet you love.
Crayola Washable Kids Paint
Use this for painting, stamping, or fingerpaint! Trust me when I say this paint has gotten everywhere in my house, and I can rely on Crayola to always wash out.
- CRAYOLA WASHABLE PROJECT PAINT: Washable paint in 6 bold colors including Yellow, Green, Yellow Orange, Red Orange, Fuchsia, Teal, and Blue Violet.
- SCHOOL PROJECT ART SUPPLIES: School-aged children can get a jumpstart on their school projects with this set of bold colors, which inspire creativity and fun no matter what.
- MIX AND BLEND VIBRANT COLOR PROJECT PAINT: Smooth, creamy color easily blends to create even more hues. Resealable caps ensures paint stays brand new.
- SAFE & NONTOXIC: Ideal for kids ages 3 and up.
Large Paint Brushes (ages 3+)
These have chunkier handles than typical kids’ brushes, so they’re easier for small hands to control, but the bristles are good quality like an adult brush. It’s the best of both worlds.
Crayola Large Paint Brushes
These have chunkier handles than your typical paint brushes, but have the high-quality of an adult paint brush. The best of both worlds!
- PAINTBRUSH SET: This Crayola Paintbrush Set for kids includes 4 flat tip paintbrushes in varying sizes.
- 4 BRUSH SIZES: The varying paintbrush sizes are perfect for producing broad strokes or precise lines.
- HIGH QUALITY: Each kids paint brush is designed with high-quality materials that ensure long-lasting durability, and provide excellent results with every stroke.
- COMFORTABLE GRIP: Kids brushes feature a comfortable grip that allows for easy and precise control – ideal for both beginners and professionals!
- EASY TO CLEAN: Spend more time creating and less time cleaning with the Crayola paint brushes, which can be quickly and easily cleaned with just soap and water.
- VERSATILE USE: The specially designed bristles work great with various paint types including Crayola Washable Paint, Tempera Paint and Acrylic Paint.
Crayola modeling clay never dries out, which I love, but it does get messy once it warms up in little hands. If clay and dough are your kid’s thing, our homemade playdough recipe is a cheap way to keep a batch going, and our Kinetic Sand guide covers the other sensory material we buy on repeat. The butterfly palette is semi-solid finger paint in lidded pots, great for fingers (and toes).
Crayola Modeling Clay
This modeling clay is a lot of fun because it never dries out! The only draw-back is that it can be a little messy (especially once the clay gets warm from little hands).
- NON-DRYING MODELING CLAY: Itu2019s the lightweight, spongy modeling material that sticks to itselfu2014not your hands. Doesn't dry out, so you can shape and reshape! Choose from 8 classic colors in 4 ounce mylar packages.
- 3D ART: Create anything from simple shapes to intricate dioramas with this clean, pliable modeling compound. Doesn't dry out, so you can shape and reshape to your heart's content.
- TACTILE ART: Let your little artist express themselves through sculpting, molding and modeling. Kids love the 3D nature of clay & dough. Our Air-Dry Clay hardens on its own, and our Modeling Clay can be sculpted, squished, and reused without drying out.
Crayola Butterfly Fingerpaint Pallette
Get your finges (and toes!) messy with this fun finger paint palette for babies.
- CRAYOLA FINGERPAINT PALETTE: This set includes a butterfly palette with three semi-solid paint pots (40g each) in vibrant colors: yellow, red, and blue.
- LESS MESS PAINTING FUN: The semi-solid nature of these Crayola Fingerpaints and the lidded paint pots ensure a fun painting experience with minimal mess.
- PREVENTS DRYING OUT: The lids help prevent the paint from drying out, while the semi-solid paints reduce spills, making for a cleaner, more enjoyable time for your little artist.
- SENSORY PLAY: The palette offers a unique tactile experience, perfect for sensory play for toddlers.
For the art supplies Crayola doesn’t make, like Water Wow books, stamp sets, and craft kits, our Melissa & Doug roundup fills in the gaps. And if you want to see where art fits with everything else, our toy guides page has every age and category.
FAQ
At our house, the Ultra Clean Washable Markers, Twistables, the Watercolor Pop and Paint Palette, and the washable kids paint get the most use. For toddlers, start with the palm-grip crayons and the mess-free finger painting station.
It depends on your kid. The color shows up a second or two after the marker touches the paper, and my oldest didn’t like that delay at all. My younger son is fine with it but still prefers regular markers. It’s worth it for travel, restaurants, and quiet time. Try one small kit before buying refills.
No. The markers and paints are clear and only show up on Color Wonder paper, which is the whole reason they don’t stain. Plan on buying the paper packs.
In our experience, yes. The washable markers and washable paint have come out of our kids’ clothes every time. I’d still keep them off carpet and fabric furniture.
The palm-grip crayons and the mess-free finger painting station are made for 1 year olds. At 2, add construction paper, the light-up drawing pad, and the butterfly finger paint palette (with supervision).
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