The right tools make coloring easier and more fun. The wrong ones can frustrate or even be unsafe. Here is a simple guide to which coloring tools suit which ages.
Ages 1 to 2
- Chunky crayons or crayon rocks: easy to grip, hard to break
- Washable everything
- Big paper
Avoid small pieces and anything not labeled for young children. Always supervise.
Ages 3 to 4
- Regular crayons, including short or broken ones for grip practice
- Thick washable markers for bright, easy color
- Chunky colored pencils
- A pencil or thin marker for tracing
This is the age Trace Then Color books are designed for. Simple pages like Trace Then Color: Baby Animals work well with crayons and thick markers.
Ages 5 to 6
- Colored pencils, standard size
- Fine and broad washable markers
- Crayons for big spaces
- A sharpener and eraser
Pages with more shapes and parts, like Trace Then Color: Cartoon Robots, are fun with colored pencils.
Ages 7 to 9
- Quality colored pencils for blending and shading
- Fine liners for inking
- Gel pens and metallic markers for highlights and sparkle
- Twistable crayons
Ages 10 and up
- Artist-grade colored pencils
- Watercolor pencils
- Brush pens
- Alcohol markers, with supervision and good ventilation. See are alcohol markers OK for kids?.
Detailed pages like Trace Then Color: Alien Cyborgs reward quality tools.
Comparing the basics
For a full comparison, see crayons vs colored pencils vs markers.
Safety tips
- Choose products labeled nontoxic and age-appropriate.
- Supervise young children with caps and small parts.
- Wash hands after coloring.
- Ventilate when using strong-smelling markers.
Questions parents ask
Are expensive supplies worth it?
For young kids, basic supplies are fine. For older kids interested in technique, better colored pencils make a real difference.
Should toddlers use markers?
Washable, thick markers with supervision are fine for many toddlers. Watch for caps, which can be a choking hazard.
When can kids use regular pencils?
Many 3 to 4-year-olds can use a pencil for tracing, especially a short or chunky one.
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.
