Art

Art Supplies FAQs

• Are crayons toxic for kids?

  Most mainstream crayons are considered low-toxicity, but they’re not necessarily clean. Conventional crayons are made from paraffin wax — a petroleum byproduct — and synthetic pigments that can include heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, and lead in trace amounts depending on the colorant. While acute toxicity from normal crayon use is low, children frequently put crayons in their mouths, and repeated exposure to petroleum-derived materials and heavy metal pigments is worth minimizing. Cleaner alternatives use soy wax, beeswax, or plant-based wax with natural pigments, and are certified AP non-toxic by the ACMI (Art and Craft Materials Institute). Beeswax crayons in particular are a popular non-toxic choice that also tend to be more durable and have a better feel than paraffin crayons.

• What should I look for in non-toxic paint for kids?

  For children’s paint, look for water-based formulas (not solvent-based), AP Certified non-toxic labeling from ACMI, pigments free from heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, and cobalt, and no added synthetic fragrance. Tempera and watercolor paints are generally the safest categories for young children. Avoid acrylic paints for toddlers — they contain plastic polymers and often require solvents for cleanup. For babies and toddlers who are very likely to mouth materials, finger paints specifically formulated and tested for that age group are the right choice. Check that the product specifies the age range it’s certified for — AP non-toxic certification covers adult artists by default; products for young children should be specifically tested and labeled for their age group.

• Are conventional art supplies safe for toddlers?

  Many conventional art supplies are not formulated with toddlers in mind. Toddlers mouth materials, get them on their skin continuously, and inhale in close proximity to surfaces — so the exposure pathway is very different from an adult artist. Conventional markers often contain xylene or other solvents; craft glues can contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives; glitter is typically plastic microparticles; and many paints contain heavy metal pigments. “Non-toxic” on a label means it won’t cause acute poisoning, not that it’s free from all concerning chemicals. For toddlers specifically, choose art supplies explicitly formulated and tested for their age group, with water-based formulas, natural or low-risk pigments, and no solvents or synthetic fragrance.

• What makes art supplies truly non-toxic?

  Truly non-toxic art supplies go beyond the standard AP non-toxic label, which certifies that a product won’t cause acute harm but doesn’t evaluate long-term or cumulative exposure. The key markers of genuinely clean art supplies are: water-based formulas with no petroleum solvents, pigments free from heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead), no synthetic fragrance, no PVC or phthalates in plastic components, and formulations that have been specifically evaluated for the age group using them. For children’s art supplies, natural or mineral-based pigments, plant-derived binders, and materials that clean up easily with water are the hallmarks of a cleaner product. Certifications like ACMI AP, ASTM D-4236, and EN 71 (European toy safety standard) are meaningful benchmarks, with EN 71 generally considered the most stringent for children’s products.