Crayons are often a child’s very first art tool. National Crayon Day, celebrated on March 31, is a great excuse to try new things with them.
Crayon activities
Crayon rubbings
Put paper over a leaf, coin or textured surface and rub the side of a peeled crayon over it. The texture appears like magic.
Crayon resist
Color part of a page pressing hard, then paint over it with watercolor. The crayon shows through. Try it with glowing pumpkins from Trace Then Color: Cartoon Halloween Characters, or any page. See mixed media coloring.
Melted crayon art
With adult help, melt broken crayon pieces into new shapes in a silicone mold at a low oven temperature. Rainbow crayons are a favorite.
Color sorting
Sort crayons by color family, from light to dark, or warm to cool. See choosing colors that go together.
Pressure practice
Color three squares light, medium and dark. See crayon pressure.
Crayon coloring pages
- Big, bold characters from Trace Then Color: Baby Animals for little ones
- Patterned monsters from Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Monsters
Crayon facts to share
- Crayons are made mostly of wax and pigment.
- Crayons have been popular with children for more than a century.
- Kids often name a favorite crayon color. Ask yours!
Crayon grip
Crayon Day is a good time to check grip. See crayon grip tips.
Open a brand-new box of crayons together. The first coloring with fresh points is a little celebration.
Questions parents ask
When is National Crayon Day?
March 31.
What can I do with broken crayons?
Use them for rubbings or melt them into new crayons.
Are crayons good for toddlers?
Chunky, non-toxic crayons are a great first tool with supervision.
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.
