Coloring supplies have a short life in most homes. Markers dry out, pencils break and crayons vanish under the couch. A few habits help them last longer and teach kids responsibility.
Markers
- Click the cap on. Teach kids to listen for the click.
- Store tip-down or flat.
- Revive dry washable markers by dipping the tip in a little water for a few seconds.
Colored pencils
- Sharpen gently with a good sharpener. Cheap sharpeners eat pencils.
- Don’t drop them. Dropped pencils can break inside, causing leads to snap.
- Store in a cup or case point up.
Crayons
- Keep broken crayons. They still color, and peeled pieces are great for sideways coloring and rubbings.
- Melt old crayons into new shapes with adult help, using a silicone mold in the oven at a low temperature.
- Store away from heat and sunny windowsills.
Organize a coloring kit
- A caddy or box with sections
- A small sharpener
- A pad of scrap paper for testing colors
- A favorite coloring book, like Mermaids, Unicorns and Other Cute Stuff Coloring and Activity Book
A ready kit makes coloring easy to grab for car trips and quiet time. See road trip coloring.
Teach kids to care for tools
- Make cleanup part of every coloring session
- Give each tool a "home"
- Let older kids be in charge of their own kit
- Sort crayons by color together as a game
A "supply check" every few weeks helps. Toss dried markers, sharpen pencils and refill the kit.
Questions parents ask
How long should markers last?
With caps on, often months. Left uncapped, they can dry out overnight.
Why do my colored pencils keep breaking?
Dropping them or a dull sharpener are the usual causes.
What can I do with crayon stubs?
Melt them into new crayons, use them for rubbings, or donate them to recycling programs.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
