8 Best Non-Toxic Crayons for Toddlers (2024 Update)

As a parent, you want to engage your children in a fun and creative ways. At a young age, drawing and coloring are a great way for your child to explore their artistic side and express their thoughts. If you think back on your childhood, I’m sure you can remember crayons being a staple in your art supply. 

Some parents are starting to pay more attention to what kid’s toys and supplies are made from. These items are manufactured and sold by different brands. As a result, they contain various ingredients that may be safe or toxic.

We’ve done all the research to provide a list of the best non-toxic crayons on the market today. 

Best Non-Toxic Crayon Reviews

Crayons provide children with a safe way to enhance their imagination and creativity. Several brands on the market produce quality non-toxic crayons. 

Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons (Original)

These are among the top non-toxic crayons on the market that’s 100% pure. Honeysticks crayons are handmade using food-grade pigments and beeswax. As a result, they are safe for children of all ages, including infants.

Each package contains 12 honeysticks that are paraffin-free and without cheap fillers. They are sustainable products with low impact on the environment. This is because they are made with a natural by-product of honey.

The unique and chubby beeswax crayons are durable and have ergonomic shapes. Your baby will handle them comfortably but find it harder to break them. Each crayon is 20 mm wide and 55 mm long.

Honeysticks’ beeswax crayons are beautiful and have a distinct sweet scent. Your little artist will have the time of their life playing with 12 different eye-catching colors. Besides that, they will fall in love with the beautiful scent of honey.

If you are looking for an all-natural set of crayons, these are among the best in the industry. They offer value for money.

PROS

• Made from 100% pure beeswax
• Large shape makes them easy for small hands to hold and hard to break
• Comes in 12 colors
• Recommended for 12 months and up

CONS

• Colors aren’t super vibrant due to 100% beeswax
• The beeswax makes them a little sticky to hold

Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons (Thin)

These crayons not only promote comfort in children but are also safe for use. Honeysticks beeswax crayons are made with natural, non-toxic goodness. As a result, the 100% pure handmade crayons are safe for children of all ages.

Honeysticks crayons don’t have cheap fillers or paraffin. So, you don’t have to worry about your child’s safety.

This product features a multicolor combination of 8 exciting colors. The set gives your little one a better chance to express their inner artist by creating stunning non-toxic colorings. It should be noted that these crayons easily bond with artboards, posters, and paper.

For ease of use, each crayon measures 3.9 inches long and 0.47 inches thick. The durable and ergonomic shape will encourage your little one’s small hand to grasp and draw. Generally, it helps children to develop good writing habits in an easy and fun way.

Overall, honeysticks thin beeswax crayons are sustainable and low environmental impact. Beeswax is an organically-sourced by-product that’s environmentally-friendly. The crayons also release a sweet honey scent with every stroke that’s released.

PROS

• Made from 100% beeswax
• Thinner design encourages proper finger and hand grasps
• Paper casing helps with stickiness of beeswax
• Recommended for 12 months and up

CONS

• Colors aren’t super vibrant due to 100% beeswax
• They tend to break easily

Flower Monaco Jumbo Crayons

The Flower Monaco Jumbo Crayons are made with natural wax. They are asbestos, lead, and phthalate-free. This makes them ideal for use by children of all ages.

The thick set of sustainable crayons are the perfect gift idea for children. Both parents and kids will fall in love with these thick crayons since they are perfect for all holiday occasions. They come in a compact and sturdy container that makes their storage easier.

Each crayon has a 1.4 cm diameter and measures 10.8 cm long. They are big and round, with a shape that makes them convenient for kids to hold. These crayons are sturdy, so they can’t easily break.

For versatility, each container comes with 16 crayons in different bright and vibrant colors. They are washable and provide children with the best opportunity to explore their creativity, imagination, and independence.

PROS

• Made from non-toxic natural wax
• Large in size making them easy for small hands to hold
• Contains 16 vibrant colors
• Includes container to store crayons when not in use

CONS

• Design of container often results in the bottom dropping out and crayons spilling out when you pick it up
• Recommended for 3 years and up

Faber-Castell Beeswax Crayons

With a case featuring 12 vibrant and sturdy crayons, your child will certainly find a way to unleash their creative genius. The premium quality Faber-Castell beeswax crayons come in a durable case. As a result, your child can comfortably carry them anywhere, including to school.

The travel-friendly coloring products have a triangular shape. As a result, your little artist will find it comfortable to hold them with a tight grip. Additionally, the crayons are extra-thick, and this makes them break-resistant.

Your child can sample more pigments thanks to the 12 crayon colors. The ultra-vibrant colors go on smoothly on most materials and will last longer. This means that your child will use less effort to get the desired outcome.

The coloring deliverability of Faber-Castell Beeswax is unmatched. The premium-quality art items are break-resistant and non-toxic. They have also been tested for safety for children and the environment.

PROS

• Includes 12 vibrant colors
• Comes with a sturdy storage case
• Triangular shape encourages proper grip
• Triangle shape prevents crayons from rolling off tables

CONS

• Company does not disclose percentage of beeswax used in crayons
• Recommended for 3 years and up

Tencoz Egg Crayons

These egg-shaped crayons by Tencoz facilitate smooth drawing sessions. Children can use it to create colorful artistic pieces easily. This is because they promote imagination and help to stimulate creativity.

Each box has a set of 9 crayons that your child can use to color. This is an educational set that’s ideal for beginning to teach colors to your child. 

They are made with non-toxic materials and are, therefore, safe for use by your little one. The crayons are made with food-grade pigment, food-grade paraffin, resin, and medical talc. However, these crayons shouldn’t be used by children under the age of 3 years.

The nine vibrant colors with a round barrel-like design promote a comfortable grip. Even with small hands, your child will easily color their first art.

Tencoz Egg Crayons are highly versatile and can be used on different surfaces. They make the whole process of coloring fun and engaging. But cleaning these surfaces is also easier since you can remove the colors with soap and water.

PROS

• Made from non-toxic resin, food grade paraffin, medical talc, and food grade pigment
• Round barrel grip makes it easy for small hands to hold
• Includes 9 vibrant colors
• They are shatterproof

CONS

• Need to press firmly to see color
• Recommended for 3 years and up

Lecamebor Finger Crayons

These Lecamebor finger crayons provides a fun and safe way for children to engage in art. This brand’s finger crayons are designed with the safety tiny-hole. As a result, children can safely use them for different purposes without the risk of damage or swallowing them.

The set of toddler crayons features 12 colorful crayons with a smooth finish. They are uniquely designed to promote creativity and improve a child’s cognitive competence by facilitating deeper imagination.

These crayons are stackable, so your child can have fun creating a stackable design. Children can simultaneously enjoy painting and find pleasure in stacking.

Lecamebor finger crayons are easy to grip thanks to their small toddler-friendly size. They have a round barrel design that provides a comfortable palm-grip. So, there is no need to press them hard while they are in use.

Most coloring sessions usually end with dirty hands, clothes, and surfaces. Well, there’s no need to worry about cleaning. You can easily remove the markings left by these crayons by using soap and water.

PROS

• Made of food-grade paraffin wax, calcium, carbonate, polyethylene, and pigment
• Includes 12 vibrant colors
• They are stackable offering another element of play for your child
• Recommended for 12 months and up

CONS

• They tend to break if dropped or thrown
• Does not come with a storage container

Crayon Rocks

Crayon Rocks stands out due to the versatility it offers. Each bag comes with 64 non-toxic crayons in 32 distinct colors.

This means that your child will get to a set with two similar colors. The crayons’ size promotes ease of use. Each of the crayons measures 1.25 x 0.75 inches, and they comfortably fit into smaller hands.

Crayons rocks crayons have a durable design and ergonomic shapes that promote faster delivery of broad strokes. Whether it’s creating scribbles or coloring patterns, your child will love their deliverability.

These products have been built for safety and durability. As a result, they are used by preschool teachers and occupational therapists to guide the young ones. They are specifically designed to help strengthen the grip muscles in children and enhance their fine-motor coordination skills.

PROS

• Made from soy wax
• Includes 32 vibrant colors
• Ergonomic shape designed to strengthen the tripod grip muscles
• Comes with a muslin bag for storage

CONS

• Crayons are small in size
• Recommended for 3 years and up

OOLY Natural Beeswax Crayons

These OOLY natural beeswax crayons are made with premium quality wax. This gives you a high-quality, safe, and sturdy set of crayons that effectively lay down smooth and bright colors.

You can use these crayons to write on black and white paper. They are portable, super easy to use, and clean. Their compact shape also makes it easy to store them; hence they are ideal for use while on the go.

These ergonomic crayons have a thick and triangular shape, providing a comfortable fit for small hands. Their colors are bold, bright, and vivid. Your child can use them for self-expression and trigger their creativity.

PROS

• Ergonomic shape is great for small hands
• Includes 24 vibrant colors
• Triangular design means the crayons will not roll
• Comes with a reusable case for storage

CONS

• These are not completely non-toxic. Ingredients include: Paraffin and Hydrocarbon waxes, stearic acid (pure), Talc (Mg3H2(SiO3)4), Hydrogenated Palm Oil, benzenamine (oxidized), Petrolatum, beeswax, Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated light paraffinic, synthetic coloring.
• Recommended for ages 3 and up

Why Choose Non-Toxic Crayons?

When children start to become active and curious to learn, they usually look for ways to engage their minds and brains. Exploring with color is a great way to inspire your child and promote creativity. 

When we think of art, most of us remember all the coloring with crayons we did at home and school. Naturally, crayons are a perfect way for us to introduce art to our children. Crayons come in different vibrant colors and are enjoyable for kids to use. 

As we all know, children love to put things in their mouths, especially during the early years when they are teething and figuring out the world around them. Because of this, you want to make sure the items your children play with are safe. Making sure the crayons your child plays with are non-toxic will ease any worry you may have. 

Crayons made with toxic chemicals can make your child sick if they accidentally eat them. Some of these products even emit poisonous smells that can affect your young ones breathing.

All these factors make non-toxic crayons an ideal coloring product for children. A safe and child-friendly crayon should be free of the following chemicals:

• Lead
• PVC and phthalates
• Ammonia
• Formaldehyde
• Toluene
• Cadmium
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Although non-toxic crayons are generally safe, you still need to be careful, and adult supervision is required.

Types of Non-Toxic Crayons

What sets non-toxic crayons apart from their regular counterparts is the type of ingredients used. Based on ingredients, we can classify non-toxic crayons into three categories:

Beeswax

These crayons are made with beeswax. This is a powerful natural ingredient used to make most organic products. A crayon can be partly or entirely made of beeswax.

Pure beeswax crayons usually produce a sweet smell with every stroke made.

Soy Wax

This organic ingredient comes from a natural soy plant. Soy wax is softer, and that’s why it’s ideal for making crayons. However, it’s less durable than Beeswax, and it is suitable for short-term projects.

Plant and Vegetable Extracts

They are mainly used as organic sources of colorants. Crayons made with plant and vegetable extracts are usually very expensive. However, they also offer a high level of safety for children.

How to Pick the Best Non-Toxic Crayons

If you want to pick safe and high-quality non-toxic crayons, you should consider:

List of Ingredients

Ingredients help to determine the safety and effectiveness of the crayons. That’s why it’s essential to check and analyze the product label before making a purchase.

Avoid crayons for children that contain acids or dangerous chemicals. They may result in breathing issues due to the smell, skin irritation, and even digestive problems if the child eats or licks them. For safety purposes, buy non-toxic crayons that are made of non-acid ingredients and are fragrance-free.

Durability

Durability is vital for long-lasting use. Children are generally not as careful as adults. In terms of hardness, crayons made with beeswax are the most durable, and they don’t easily break down.

Crayons made with soy wax are soft and less durable. They generally have a shorter lifespan because they easily break down.

Note: durability is important because crayons that easily break down can turn into choking hazards for small children.

Color Pigments

The more the color options, the more your child will enjoy using the crayons. Kids get easily mesmerized by colors, and they will want to use various spectrums. Ensure that you choose a set that has bold and vibrant color options.

Size of Crayons

Size is an important factor to consider because children have tiny hands. You will want to pick crayons your child can comfortably hold without straining. They also need to be compact and lightweight to provide ease of use. Your child should be able to lift and color with them easily.

Frequently Asked Questions about Crayons

Are Crayola crayons non-toxic?

Crayola is one of the most common crayon brands on the market. The fact that it has been around for over a century means that its products have a good safety profile.

Crayola crayons are safe because they usually evaluate the products for toxicity independently before they hit the market.

Can toddlers use crayons?

Toddlers can comfortably use crayons. Toddlers are generally curious, and while they are rapidly growing at this stage, they need ways to express themselves.

Using crayons with different colors is one of the best ways. They can start by scrawling and then graduate and start to make more definite patterns and marks.

After 18 months, a toddler will begin to make more recognizable patterns frequently. So, it’s a good idea to let them play with crayons.

At what age can my child use crayons?

Your child can start to use crayons as soon as they have mastered their pincer grasp. This is usually between 12 and 15 months. At this time, they can make random blobs, arcs, and disfigured scribbles.

What is the shelf life of crayons?

Two factors determine the shelf-life of crayons, including ingredients and storage. Generally, crayons have a shelf life of around five years if you properly store them.

But the shelf life can reduce if you store the crayons in places with extreme temperatures. For ongoing use and extension of the shelf life, keep your crayons in a cool and dry place. The ideal room temperature should range between 10 and 24 degrees celsius.

Are non-toxic crayons washable?

Yes. These products are washable because they are made with safe organic ingredients. They normally glide smoothly off different surfaces, including clothes. So, you can easily wash off the colorings with soap and water.

Are there surfaces you shouldn’t use non-toxic crayons?

Yes. While non-toxic crayons are marketed as “washable” for most surface areas and clothing, there are some surfaces you should not use them on. Since they are made from waxy material, they will not wash off sidewalks, fences, or walls.

Final Thoughts about Non-Toxic Crayons

Crayons provide children with a friendly way to kickstart their imaginations and trigger their creativity. But due to their young age, parents have to be cautious about things that they give their kids. 

Non-toxic crayons are an ideal coloring item to give kids. They contain safe and environmentally-friendly ingredients, mess free, and are easy to use. 

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