Classroom coloring supplies take a beating. Crayons snap, markers dry out and pencils vanish. Picking durable supplies and a simple organization system saves money and cleanup time.
What to buy
| Supply | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Crayons | Durable, non-toxic, 16 or 24 colors |
| Colored pencils | Pre-sharpened, strong leads that don’t snap |
| Markers | Washable, broad tip for younger kids, fine tip for older |
| Sharpeners | One sturdy sharpener per table, plus a teacher sharpener |
| Paper | A ream of copy paper and some heavier cardstock |
Compare tools in crayons vs colored pencils vs markers.
How much to buy
- A box of crayons per student, plus spares
- Class packs of colored pencils and markers shared by table
- Replace markers mid-year, since they dry out first
Organizing supplies
- Table caddies. One per table, with crayons, pencils and markers in separate sections.
- Color-sorted bins. For older students, sorting by color makes choosing easier.
- Labels with pictures. Helpful for pre-readers.
- A broken crayon bin. Broken crayons still color, and peeled pieces are great for rubbings.
Cleanup routine
- Caps back on markers (listen for the click)
- Pencils point down in the cup
- Crayons back in their box or bin
- A table helper checks the caddy
Keep pages ready
A stash of coloring pages saves the day during indoor recess, early finishing and sub days. Books like Mermaids, Unicorns and Other Cute Stuff Coloring and Activity Book and Trace Then Color: Cool Stuff give a mix of pages for different students. See early finisher coloring and caring for coloring supplies.
Ask families for supply donations at the start of the year and again in January. Markers and glue are usually the first things to run out.
Questions teachers ask
Should students have their own supplies or share?
Both work. Shared caddies save money and space. Personal boxes reduce arguments in younger grades.
How do I stop markers drying out?
Teach a cap routine and store markers tip-down.
Are cheap crayons okay?
Very cheap crayons can be waxy and pale. Mid-range crayons usually last longer and color better.
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.
