8 Best Toddler Crayons to Really Draw Kids in
When it comes to kids’ art supplies, crayons are a perennial favorite. But before you pick some up for your tot, make sure they’re age-appropriate. Did you know that many coloring utensils aren’t suited for children under 3? But fear not: We’ve scoured the market for the best toddler crayons, designed with your child in mind.
While you might in fact be raising the next Monet or Kahlo, your little one probably isn’t quite ready to properly grasp a pencil or regular crayon for a while yet. “Starting around one year old, most toddlers have enough of a pincer grasp to hold a crayon and will begin to do so with a very rudimentary grasp until around 1.5 years,” says Brittany Ferri, PhD, an occupational therapist based in New York.
Crayons for one-year-olds are usually larger (about double the diameter of standard crayons) and often referred to as jumbo crayons. Between 12 and 18 months old children are just starting to hold smaller items and may not have the strength or dexterity for smaller crayons, Ferri says. “Older toddlers, those between Pre-K and Kindergarten, would benefit from using one- to two- inch crayons since it’s much harder to use a fist or other immature grasp on items of that size,” says Ferri.
Once your little one starts showing interest in creating their very own artwork, you’ll unlock a whole new world of activities you can do together, and some opportunities for solo play time as well! But the right type of crayon for their developmental stage is key. Below, we’ve listed some of the best toddler crayons to add to your shopping cart once your little one begs for their first coloring book.
Overall best toddler crayons
Is it a surprise that our first choice for toddler crayons comes from the most iconic crayon maker in the world? The Crayola MyFirst line is especially suited for smaller colorists, introducing young artists to a wider range of colors in a non-toxic and easy-grip crayon that’s suitable for kids 12 months and up.
Number of crayons: 24 | Material: Wax
- Offers more than just a few different colors
- Non-toxic and washable
- Harder to break than regular crayons
- These aren’t the fattest crayons out there, so are best suited to slightly older toddlers
Best jumbo crayons
Little hands have a harder time grasping thinner objects; while toddlers are still developing their fine motor skills, a larger-than-usual crayon lets them get a solid grip for drawing time. The jumbo crayons in this set are perfect for a growing hand that’s moved beyond random scribbles, but hasn’t quite graduated to standard crayon sizes. And even better, this set comes in a sturdy storage container, perfect for cleanup when art time is finished.
Number of crayons: 16 | Material: Wax
- Great for developing a more advanced grasp
- Harder to break than regular crayons
- Despite durable shape, some parents do report broken crayons
Best bath crayons
Eliminate bathtime resistance when you pick up this fun set of bath crayons, suitable for ages one year and up! With seven vibrant (but water-soluble) colors, this set is sure to keep them busy while you suds them down. Once playtime is over, a wipe-down with bath water is enough to leave your tub sparkling clean.
Number of crayons: 7 | Material: Beeswax/soy wax blend
- Bigger than other bath crayons
- Can be difficult to dry off
- Best results if wiped down immediately after bathtime
Best triangle crayons
The unique shape of a good triangle crayon allows for easy gripping by little hands, while simultaneously heading off the frustration of crayons rolling off the table. MASSRT’s offering, made from non-toxic wax, is one of the few sets out there appropriate for children under 3 years old. These hard-to-break crayons come in a set of 18 colors, so your budding artist will have a broad palette to work with!
Number of crayons: 18 | Material: Wax
- Less breakable than regular crayons
- Triangular shape is great for early grasping
- While these crayons are difficult to break, some parents say their kids managed
Best washable crayons
While most crayons for toddlers indicate they’re washable, many have mixed reviews from parents when it comes to actually scrubbing the colors off clothing and surfaces (which, of course, they’ll come into contact with). Enter Crayola’s Ultra Washable crayons, which deliver a bright color experience that’s completely washable from clothing, hands and most importantly, your freshly painted walls. This set of eight crayons allows you to stay stress-free while your little one creates art all afternoon.
Number of crayons: 8 | Material: Wax
- Crayons are truly washable off of any surface
- Bright colors deliver a fun experience
- Oversized for an easier grip
- Some reviewers indicate the crayons break easily
- Best for older toddlers/preschool aged kids due to size
Overall best toddler crayons
Is it a surprise that our first choice for toddler crayons comes from the most iconic crayon maker in the world? The Crayola MyFirst line is especially suited for smaller colorists, introducing young artists to a wider range of colors in a non-toxic and easy-grip crayon that’s suitable for kids 12 months and up.
Number of crayons: 24 | Material: Wax
- Offers more than just a few different colors
- Non-toxic and washable
- Harder to break than regular crayons
- These aren’t the fattest crayons out there, so are best suited to slightly older toddlers
Best beeswax crayons
There’s so much to love about these chubby crayons for toddlers. They’re handmade from natural (read: nontoxic) beeswax and food-grade pigments, which gives them a delightful honey scent; plus, this larger size means these large scribblers are easy to hold but hard to break. The company even offers a no-questions-asked money back guarantee!
Number of crayons: 12 | Material: Beeswax
- Crayons have a pleasant honey scent
- Completely non-toxic and chemical free
- Pricier than competing brands
Best egg crayons
Crayola has come up a few times on this list, but let’s be honest: You can’t talk crayons without talking about Crayola. They’re famous for their coloring utensils, and these egg-shaped scribblers—ergonomically designed for small hands—live up to the hype. Bonus: They’re washable (because tots are known to make messes).
Number of crayons: 12 | Material: Wax
- Shape is perfect for little hands just learning to grasp
- Basic colors kids can begin to recognize
- Size is a bit large for the youngest toddlers
- Some reviewers indicate you have to press hard
Best first crayons for toddlers
These adorable crayons for toddlers, by beloved kids’ brand ALEX Toys, use an innovative and fun star shape, specially designed for little ones. They promise superb graspability and come in six vibrant colors that reviewers say offers a smooth, easy coloring experience that doesn’t smudge easily.
Number of crayons: 6 | Material: Wax
- Vibrant colors that color easily without smudging or seeming waxy
- Easy to grip
- These crayons are on the small size and may pose a choking hazard for young toddlers
To help you find the best toddler crayons on the market today, we looked to our most trusted retailers for information, and considered online reviews as well as the advice of an occupational therapist. We looked at features like shape, since that’s crucial for establishing that important early grasp, and also for safe, non-toxic materials. We didn’t include any toddler crayons with less than an average four-star rating.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L, CPRP is an occupational therapist and the founder and CEO of the health writing and consulting company Simplicity of Health.
