Crayons & Pastels
Our crayons range covers everyday wax crayons, jumbo and easy-grasp shapes for toddlers, washable options for little hands, and classroom Crayola packs. You'll find trusted brands like Faber Castell, Crayola, Staedtler and Dats, plus oil pastels for older kids ready to blend and layer.
How to choose crayons for kids and school
Start with the child, not the pack size. Toddlers hold crayons with their whole hand, which is called a palm grasp, so chunky barrels and bulb shapes sit more comfortably and give them better control. Fine motor skills develop over time. A proper tripod grip with the fingers comes later, usually around school age.
For the youngest hands, the Faber Castell Little Creatives Easy Grasp Bulb Crayons are a sensible starting point because the shape fits a full-fist hold. Move on to standard sticks or twistables once your child can comfortably use three fingers. If you want options sorted by age, browse the kids crayons collection.
Wax crayons for everyday drawing
Wax crayons are the standard everyday crayon most of us grew up with. They suit colouring sheets, free drawing and school art because they lay down colour quickly, don't need water or fixing, and travel well in a pencil case. A standard crayon sharpener sorts the tip when it wears down.
If sharpening is a hassle, twistables are a classroom favourite. The Staedtler Noris Wax Twister Crayons wind up as the colour wears down, which keeps lessons moving. For larger hands and heavier use, the Faber Castell Wax Crayons Jumbo Box of 12 holds up well to pressure without snapping.
Jumbo crayons for toddlers
Jumbo crayons suit toddlers because the wider barrel matches a palm grasp. For the very youngest users, bulb and egg shapes are often easier than a long jumbo stick. The rounded form sits in the palm and encourages controlled marks rather than sweeping scribbles.
The Faber Castell Little Creatives Easy Grasp Finger Crayons have a thick, easy-to-hold shape designed to encourage a digital grasp and develop fine motor control, which helps toddlers who are still working out how to hold a drawing tool. For slightly older preschoolers who've moved past the fist-hold stage, the Dats Jumbo Crayons 10pk offer a chunkier stick at a budget-friendly price for everyday use at home or kindy.
Washable crayons for little hands
Some crayons in this range are formulated for easier clean-up from hands, clothing or other surfaces. Washability varies by product and surface, so check the individual product instructions, test an inconspicuous area and treat marks promptly. They're the sensible choice for toddlers and preschoolers at home, where a stray mark on the wall or a table is just part of the process.
Be aware that "washable" rarely means every surface. Fabrics (especially school uniforms), textured wallpaper and raw timber can still stain. Test a small spot first and treat marks quickly. For art at the table with young children, washable crayons take the stress out of the activity without changing how your child draws.
Crayola crayons for home and classroom
Crayola is the go-to for classrooms because the sticks are consistent, the colour range is broad and the packs are built for sharing. The Crayola 48ct Large Crayons Share Pack suits group tables, while the Crayola Crayon Box 64 Pack covers a full spectrum for art projects at home.
For kids who dislike sharpening, the Crayola Twistables 12 Pack is a tidy option for school bags. Crayola crayons are labelled non-toxic to the usual art-materials standards, which is reassuring for younger users. See the full Crayola collection for the complete range.
Oil pastels and crayons for older kids
Oil pastels and wax crayons look similar but behave differently. Wax crayons give a firm, waxy line that suits colouring. Oil pastels are softer, blend with a finger or blending stump, and layer into richer colour. That suits older kids and teens working on landscapes, portraits and mixed media.
The Faber-Castell Round Oil Pastels 12 Pack is a solid starting point for primary and high school art. Note that most searches for "oil crayons" actually mean oil pastels, so browse the oil pastels range. For teens exploring surface effects, our mixed media crayons bridge drawing and painting.
School or art quality crayons
School grade. Budget-friendly packs like Dats Crayons 24pk and the Crayola share packs suit classrooms, kindy supply lists and everyday home use where crayons get used up or lost.
Mid-range. The Faber Castell Little Creatives range and Staedtler Noris Wax Twister sit in the middle. Better pigment load, sturdier sticks, shapes designed around how kids actually hold them.
Artist-leaning. Oil pastels like the Faber-Castell range reward older kids and teens who want to blend, layer and work on textured paper. Different tool, different result. Not simply "better" crayons.
Why shop crayons with Riot
- 40+ years in Australian art and craft supporting families, teachers and artists.
- House and exclusive brands including Holcroft, Art Star, Birch, The Paper Mill and The Clay Studio.
- Customer support Monday to Friday with a one business day reply aim.
- Shipping and returns across Australia with clear published policies.
FAQs
What are the best crayons for toddlers?
For toddlers still using a palm grasp, bulb and finger-shaped crayons are easier to control than long jumbo sticks. The Faber Castell Little Creatives Easy Grasp Bulb Crayons suit the youngest users. Jumbo sticks like the Dats Jumbo Crayons 10pk work well once your child can hold a thicker barrel with their fingers rather than their whole fist.
Are crayons washable?
Many kids' crayons are labelled washable, which usually means they lift from skin and most hard, sealed surfaces with warm soapy water. Fabrics, raw timber and textured wallpaper can still stain, so always test a small area first and treat marks quickly. Non-washable wax crayons are fine for school-age kids working on paper.
What's the difference between crayons and oil pastels?
Wax crayons are firm and give a clean, waxy line suited to colouring sheets and younger kids. Oil pastels are softer, blend with a finger or blending stump, and layer into richer colour. Oil pastels suit older kids, teens and anyone exploring mixed media. They're a different tool, not an upgrade.
How many crayons are in a classroom pack?
Classroom packs usually range from 24 up to 64 or more sticks. The Crayola 48ct Large Share Pack suits group tables, and the Crayola 64 Pack covers a wider colour range for art projects. For bulk needs, the CRA-Z-ART 200 piece Mega Pack covers a full class with plenty of spares.
Are Crayola crayons non-toxic?
Crayola crayons are labelled non-toxic in line with standard art-materials safety requirements, which is why they're a classroom staple worldwide. Non-toxic means the materials have been assessed as safe for normal use, but crayons are still not food and shouldn't be chewed or eaten. Supervise toddlers closely during use.
Do you deliver crayons across Australia?
Yes, we deliver crayons Australia-wide. Available delivery options, costs and estimated timeframes are shown at checkout. Some products may be dispatched from partner warehouses and arrive separately. Check our shipping page for current rates, timings and any regional notes before you order. Our customer support team is available Monday to Friday and aims to reply within one business day if you have questions about stock, bulk orders or classroom supply lists.