Best Crayons and Markers for Kids (From a Parent Who's Bought Way Too Many)

I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on art supplies. Crayons that snapped on first use. Markers that permanently stained our kitchen table. Colored pencils my toddler used exclusively as drumsticks.

After about three years of trial and error (mostly error), here’s what’s actually worth your money.

Crayons: Where It All Starts

Crayons are still the best all-around coloring tool for young kids. Cheap, hard to destroy (mostly), and they don’t stain anything permanently. Hard to beat that combination.

For Toddlers (Ages 1-3): Go Chunky

Little hands need big crayons. Standard thin crayons are basically impossible for a toddler to grip, and they’ll snap them in half within 30 seconds anyway.

Best pick: Crayola My First Washable Crayons - These egg-shaped ones are fantastic for tiny hands. Can’t roll off the table. Nearly impossible to break. Vibrant colors. The washable formula matters because toddlers will absolutely color on things that aren’t paper. Ours colored the dog once.

Runner up: Melissa & Doug Jumbo Triangular Crayons - The triangular shape stops rolling and naturally encourages a better grip. Good color payoff. A bit waxier than Crayola but my 3-year-old hasn’t snapped a single one in half yet. That alone makes them worth it.

For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5): Standard Size, Big Box

By now most kids can handle a regular crayon and they’re making deliberate color choices. Color variety starts mattering. A lot.

Best pick: Crayola 96 Crayon Box - Can’t beat the color range. Crayola’s wax formula is still the gold standard. Smooth, decent durability, and kids go nuts having that many colors to choose from. The built-in sharpener is a nice bonus.

Worth considering: Faber-Castell Beeswax Crayons - Pricier. But the color quality is noticeably richer. Beeswax instead of paraffin, so they blend better and feel smoother on paper. If your kid is really into coloring, these are a solid upgrade.

For Older Kids (Ages 6+): Colored Pencils Enter the Picture

Around 6, a lot of kids want more control than crayons offer. Colored pencils give them precision for detailed coloring pages with smaller sections.

Best pick: Crayola 50 Colored Pencils - Good range, sharpen well, lead doesn’t break constantly. The reliable workhorse.

Upgrade pick: Faber-Castell Connector Pens - Not pencils, but these snap-together markers are a massive hit with the 6-8 crowd. Vivid colors, easy to cap (no dried-out markers), and kids love connecting them into long chains. They work great on our mermaid coloring pages and other detailed stuff.

Markers: the Mess Factor

Markers are a love-hate thing. Kids love the bright colors. Parents hate finding permanent evidence on the couch.

Washable Markers That Actually Wash

Best overall: Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers - Industry standard for a reason. The “Ultra-Clean” line genuinely washes out of clothing, skin, and most surfaces. I’ve tested this on a white couch. Not by choice. It came out. Broad tip for younger kids, fine tip for older ones who want precision.

For big projects: Crayola Super Tips - The 100-count box is incredible if your kid wants every shade of every color. The tips handle both broad strokes and fine lines depending on angle. Also washable. Perfect for detailed pages like our enchanted treehouse or jungle safari designs.

Skip these: Any “non-washable” markers marketed for kids under 8. Just don’t. Not worth the risk to your furniture or your sanity.

Specialty Markers

Dot markers (ages 2-4): Do A Dot Art Markers are brilliant for toddlers. They stamp instead of draw, so there’s instant color payoff without needing fine grip control. Great for hand-eye coordination early on.

Scented markers: Kids love them. Parents tolerate them. Crayola Silly Scents are the safest bet - pleasant scents, not overwhelming.

Twistables and Gel Crayons - Worth It?

Crayola Twistables are popular. No peeling, no sharpening, retractable. But the color payoff isn’t as rich as regular crayons, and the plastic barrels crack if kids push too hard. Fine for travel. Wouldn’t make them the main supply at home.

Gel crayons (like Crayola Gel FX) are fun for variety. Smooth, glide like butter on dark paper. But they’re a special occasion thing, not an everyday tool.

What to Buy by Age (Quick Version)

Ages 1-2: Egg crayons + dot markers. That’s it.

Ages 2-3: Jumbo crayons + washable broad-tip markers. Grab some simple coloring pages with big open areas.

Ages 3-5: Regular crayons (get the big box) + washable markers + maybe their first colored pencils. Time for medium-detail pages.

Ages 6-8: Colored pencils + fine-tip markers + regular crayons. They’ll reach for different tools depending on the page. More detailed coloring pages really shine here.

Ages 9-12: Quality colored pencils + connector pens or fine markers + specialty stuff for variety. These kids want control and precision. Give them intricate pages that challenge them.

Storage (Learned the Hard Way)

Store markers tip-down. Keeps the ink flowing so they last longer. A cup works better than the box they came in.

Crayons survive the car. Until summer. Never leave crayons in a hot car. You only learn this lesson once.

Label everything if you have multiple kids. Crayon territory disputes are real and they are serious.

Keep a travel kit separate. A small ziplock with 12 crayons and a few coloring pages folded up is the best restaurant survival tool ever invented. We’ve been doing this for about 8 months and it’s saved us at least a dozen times.

Bottom Line

You don’t need to spend a fortune. A solid set of Crayola crayons and some washable markers cover 90% of what your kid needs. Upgrade to better tools as they get older and show more interest.

And whatever you buy, make sure they’ve got some great coloring pages to use them on. The supplies are just half the equation.