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Coloring is a great way to encourage children’s artistic abilities. However, your children may find it difficult to use paintbrushes just yet. Thus, you could give them the best colored pencils for kids to start with.
Crayons and colored pencils are a must-have for children, whether at home or school. These come in sets of primary colors, ethnic colors, and special effect colors. In this post, we bring you a selection of some high-quality, best-selling colored pencils that you may get for your children to boost their creative and motor skills.
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10 Best Colored Pencils For Kids In 2024
1. Best With Thick Tips: Sargent Art Premium Coloring Pencils
The pack of 50 assorted colors is suitable for children aged three years and above. The pencils have thick lead tips of 3.3mm diameter. The colors are subtle and nice, with a variety of shades and hues. The set includes 48 different shades, with an extra black and white pencil to create amazing artwork. These smooth colored pencils come in a fixed see-through window box. Check out this review and testing video to know more about this product.
Pros
- Environment-friendly
- Non-toxic
- Pre-sharpened color pencil set
- Ideal for illustrating and drawing purposes
- Affordable price range
Cons
- May not be adequately pigmented
- Some shades may be pretty similar
2. Best Non-Toxic: Crayola Colored Pencils
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 37,715 positive reviews on Amazon.
Your child would love these vibrant colors that could be used to highlight details of an image in drawing or coloring books. The colored pencil set by the trusted brand Crayola includes 50 different color pencils that could be used for school assignments and home crafts. They are durable and give a long-lasting smooth finish. They are safe to color and non-toxic and are recommended for children ages 12 and above. Before buying, have a look at this video for more details.
Pros
- Ideal for DIY projects and crafts
- Pre-sharpened
- Smooth leads are easy to shade with
- Sharpens smoothly without breaking the lead
- Suitable for creating detailed artwork
Cons
- May have similar shades
- Shades like gray and grayish purples may look dull
"My kids love these colored pencils for their range of vibrant colors. The pencils are sturdy and manage to maintain a fine tip. These are perfect for children and even adults who enjoy casual coloring."
Caution3. Best Break-Proof:U.S. Art Supply 50 Piece Colored Pencil Set
Unleash your child’s creative and artistic side with this set of 50 colored pencils. The wax-based pencils are suitable for drawing, coloring, sketching, crafting, and scrapbooking and are sure to keep your little one entertained for hours. These artist-grade pencils are high in pigment and produce colors that are bold, crisp, and vibrant. Moreover, the color of the pencil matches the color of the lead, making it easily recognizable.
Pros
- Comes with pre-sharpened tips
- High-quality wax-based lead
- Richly pigmented pencil
- Easy to hold
- Produces a smooth finish
- Comes with a case
- Suitable for creating vibrant artwork
Cons
- May not be suitable for shading
- Some shades might be limited
"I got this set of colored pencils for my 11-year-old daughter. They boast a vibrant array of hues that is more than she needs, and she likes how the pigmentation can be adjusted with pressure. However, the octagonal shape may cause discomfort during extensive use. Overall, a great product that I would recommend."
4. Best For Soft Strokes: Stabilo Woody Multi-talented Pencil Set
The Stabilo pencil set is suitable for drawing and painting on many surfaces apart from paper and cardboard. It has 18 coloring pencils that can be used as watercolor pencils and wax crayons too. The thick-shaped standard pencils allow a good grip while giving thick and soft strokes. The woody 3-in-1 watercolor pencil set includes a brush and pencil sharpener, and the break-proof pencils offer high opacity and vibrant color intensity.
Pros
- Thick and smooth gliding lead
- Can be used on glass surfaces as well
- Easy to remove the color from glass surfaces
- Intense color on dark surfaces
Cons
- Pencils may bleed when they come in contact with wetness
- May stain if used on dry-erase board
"The watercolor crayons have charmed my kid with their variety of hues. They seem durable and are comfortable to hold for kids. I would recommend these for their quality and versatility."
5. Best Easy-To-Store:Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Zipper-Case Set
Unleash the artistic side of your little one with these 72 vibrant color pencils. These colors are intensely pigmented and are rich and creamy, making coloring an enjoyable and effortless experience. Moreover, these hard core pencils come in a zipper case, enabling easy storage and quick selection. This set of art-quality pencils also includes a five-step fold-out coloring tutorial to help beginners understand the concept of coloring.
Pros
- Has soft cores with a velvet finish that does not crumble
- Suitable for various surfaces like paper, canvas, and wood
- Each pencil has its elastic holder slot
- Each pencil is numbered
- Smooth and durable
- Impressive range of colors
Cons
- Does not include a sharpener
- Does not include metallic colors
"Rediscovering my love for coloring with these pencils has been a joy; my kid is equally fond of them. They're smooth and blend well, and the swatch cards are a smart reference. While great for advanced techniques, a simple sharpener would complete the set. Overall, it is satisfying with an organized case and hand-friendly size."
Did you know?6. Best For Smooth Finish: Faber-Castell Triangular Colored EcoPencils
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 573 positive customer reviews on Amazon attest to the product’s quality.
The range of 24 colors in Faber-Castell’s eco pencils is suitable for everyday drawings and coloring books. The triangular-shaped pencils are easy to hold and give better control. The vibrant and specially formulated colors provide a smooth finish and do not flake. These quality-tested colored pencil tools are made from reforested wood and, thus, are break-resistant while being easy to sharpen. They are recommended for children aged over five years.
Pros
- Dual display windows
- Non-toxic
- Vibrant color range
- Prevents hand fatigue
- Conforms to ASTM standards
Cons
- May not be easy to sharpen
- May have limited shades
"These colored pencils stand out with a comfortable triangular shape, perfect for a steady grip and gentle hands. The rich colors and smooth layers with a high-quality core add to the coloring experience. Though sharpening can be a bit challenging, it's a minor hiccup."
Quick fact7. Best Eco-Friendly: Faber-Castell World Colors EcoPencils
Another set of Faber-Castell colored pencils for kids that come with skin tone and traditional color shades, these allow your kid to create illustrations, portraits, and more. The set contains 12 colored pencils, three super-soft portrait coloring pencils, and a grip trio sharpener. These eco-friendly sketching pencils are made of wood certified from sustainable forestry, have break-resistant leads, are easy to sharpen, and last long.
Pros
- Made of graphite material
- Comes in ready-to-use pieces
- Pencil sharpener sharpens smoothly
- Available in 12, 27, 40, and 300 counts
Cons
- Blending colors may not be easy
- May be hard to find the right shade
"These colored pencils offer a wide range of highly pigmented shades that lay down smoothly on various paper types. Moreover, these pencils can endure rough use without lead breakage. The dual-ended skin tone pencils are a thoughtful addition for more inclusive artwork, though blending can be a bit of a challenge. The sharpener, with its three size settings and efficient design, complements the set nicely."
8. Best Durable:Arteza Kids Colored Pencils
This set of colored pencils for kids by the tried-and-tested brand Faber-Castell comes with skin tone and traditional color shades, allowing your kid to create illustrations, portraits, and more. The set contains 12 vibrant colored pencils, three super-soft portrait coloring pencils, and a grip trio sharpener. These eco-friendly sketching pencils are made of wood certified from sustainable forestry, have break-resistant leads, are easy to sharpen, and last long.
Pros
- Wax-based soft core pencil
- Quality pencils
- Blendable pencil colors
- Easy to store
- Available in a range of colors
- Does not break or crumble
Cons
- May have to sharpen this repeatedly
- Some may find the lead to be a little hard
"My child loves these colored pencils! The vibrant colors blend well without breaking, great for casual doodling or art projects. More neon options would have been nice. They're a solid choice for beginners with a thoughtful touch of having the color names printed on the pencils, aiding easy identification."
9. Best For Beginners: Crayola 68-4112 Colored Pencils
These Crayola colored pencils are among the best colored pencils for beginners and suitable for classroom and group drawing projects. It is a set of 12 vibrant and bold crayon-length pencils that are pre-sharpened. These safety-tested colored art pencils have wide barrels that make them easy to grasp by little hands and are recommended for children up to eight years of age.
Pros
- ACMI-certified
- Round-shaped pencils
- Compact size for easy storage
- Provides break-free drawing
Cons
- May be too small for some
- May be difficult to sharpen
"These Crayola colored pencils proved a solid find for my third grader. Perfect for on-the-go creativity, they pair well with portable books. They're also dependable, resist breaking, and erase cleanly."
10. Best Long-Lasting:Cra-Z-Art Colored Pencils
Give your budding child artist a chance to explore and enjoy their creativity with this set of 72 colorful pencils. Suitable for beginners, these pencils fit little hands well without causing harm or discomfort. Your child can use these artists’ pencils at home or in school for a fun-filled time. Moreover, these fine art pencils come with pre-sharpened leads that allow children to start coloring the moment they get their hands on this wonderful set.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Highly pigmented pencil colors
- Works smoothly
- Easy to store
Cons
- May not be suitable for professionals
- Tips might break with extended use
"My child enjoys using these colored pencils for their vibrant hues and smooth application. Despite some color inconsistencies and wood quality issues, they're a decent choice for casual coloring, especially for young artists."
How To Choose the Right Colored Pencils For Children?
There are many types of colored pencils available but picking the right one could help your artistic child. Some tips that might be helpful are listed below:
- Oil-based over wax pencils: Oil-based pencils are vibrant, smooth, and easy to blend and work with. They are perfect for creating smooth gradients.
- Thick pencils: Thicker pencils are easy to hold and are better for little hands. Also, at the beginners’ stage, it is good to start with thick pencils.
- Short pencils: Consider shorter pencils, which are the size of your kids’ fingers or smaller as they are easier to control between the thumb and index finger.
- Bright and dark colors: Colors that are bright or dark are better than soft colors. Your children would be fascinated to see what they are coloring or drawing.
- Triangular pencils: They encourage a solid tripod grasp. The three fingers hold the three sides of the pencil.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why can’t I rub colored pencils?
Rubbing colored pencils will just smudge the color on your paper rather than remove it. Therefore, buy an eraser specifically made for colored pencils and gently use it to erase the color.
2. How do I remove pencil marks without using an eraser?
The easiest way to remove pencil marks without using an eraser is to use an artist tape. Cut the artist tape to the size of the pencil mark you want to remove, then press it on the desired area for a few seconds before gently removing the tape. The pencil marks will stick to the tape and easily come off.
3. Are colored pencils worth the money?
Colored pencils are easier to handle and work with than paint brushes. They’re an ideal tool for beginners to color with. They also help improve your precision, and they are a much faster way to color than paint brushes.
4. Are colored pencils safe for kids?
Colored pencils are safe for children over the age of three years. They are easier to hold and work with than other options such as watercolors and wax crayons. And there is no risk of making a mess, as there is with watercolors or other types of paint.
5. How long do colored pencils last?
Typically, colored pencils can last up to five years. However, it totally depends on their size and how you take care of them.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah, our in-house writer, editor, and reviewer, is knowledgeable about kids’ products, household items, and books. After researching and comparing several consumer-tested products, he collated the names of the best colored pencils for kids. These pencils are sure to please the artist in every child. Wedetso discussed their specifications, such as the number of shades, the vibrancy of colors, opacity, and more. He also provided a buying guide talking about important factors to consider when choosing the right color pencils for your child.
The Bottom Line
Investing in exert-approved colored pencils is a good way to introduce your child to drawing and coloring in the safest way. Children tend to put crayons in their mouths and stain their clothes with watercolors, which rarely happens when they use colored pencils. If your child is new to coloring, selecting thicker and shorter pencils for better grip is the best. Since children love bright and vibrant colors, picking well-pigmented colored pencils will help retain their interest in coloring. Our top picks include the Stabilo Woody Multi-talented Pencil Set, whose intense colors are easily visible even on dark surfaces, and the Crayola Colored Pencils, which are pre-sharpened and safe for your child. The Faber-Castell Triangular Colored EcoPencils are a good choice, too, for creating artwork due to their easy-to-grip design.
Infographic: A Buying Guide For Colored Pencils For Children
Using colored pencils can be a great way for your child to express themselves and work on their creativity. However, it is crucial that you find the right set of colored pencils to ensure safety while your child uses them. Follow the infographic to find an appropriate set of colored pencils for your little one. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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