Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct) are a high-volume pick for classrooms and home art, and their 4.8/5 rating from 48,384 reviews plus a #1 best-seller spot in kids’ colored pencils suggests steady, reliable quality across batches.
This set focuses on bright, smooth color that lays down quickly. You can get easy layering and clean sharpening, and the pre-sharpened tips help you start right away on school projects, coloring books, and casual sketching for ages 3+.
Key takeaways
- Color variety: The 36-color range gives enough variety for shading, gradients, and contrast without jumping to a specialty set.
- Smooth laydown + layering: Color applies smoothly with light pressure, and you can build layers to boost saturation without making colors look dull.
- Ready to use: Pre-sharpened pencils save time and arrive ready for quick outlines and filling large areas.
- Sharpening reliability: The cores usually sharpen cleanly with low breakage when you use a good sharpener and keep pressure light.
- Safety: The pencils are nontoxic and fit ages 3+, and it’s still smart to stick with basic safety habits for younger kids.
Overall Rating & Popularity
Crayola Colored Pencils earn a 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on 48,384 customer reviews, and that kind of volume tells me the performance stays consistent across lots of batches. They also hold the Best Sellers Rank of #1 in Kids’ Colored Pencils, which lines up with what I see in classrooms and at home: dependable color laydown, easy sharpening, and kid-proof value without feeling cheap.
How I interpret these numbers
I use ratings and rank as a quick filter, then I sanity-check with practical needs like these:
- Consistent cores that sharpen cleanly for less breakage
- Colors that layer well for school projects and casual art
- Good price-per-pencil when I’m stocking up
For a random add-on while shopping, I might glance at a Play-Doh set too.
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Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Ages 3+
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Color Performance
Crayola’s 36-color range gives me enough variety for shading, gradients, and clean contrast without hunting for specialty sets. Pigment looks bright on standard copy paper and still holds up on heavier coloring-book stock. I get a smooth laydown with light pressure, then I can build saturation with a few extra passes. That helps on school posters, detailed adult pages, and quick sketches.
How I get the best results
I rely on a few habits to keep color consistent and reduce scratchiness:
- Layer lightly first, then deepen shadows in 2–3 passes.
- Use a sharper point for outlines and tight patterns.
- Blend by alternating two close shades instead of pressing hard.
For other supplies I pair well with art time, I’ve also used assorted modeling colors. Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Ages 3+
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Ready to Use (Pre-Sharpened)
Pre-sharpened tips make these Crayola colored pencils feel instant. I can open the box and start coloring without hunting for a sharpener or wasting class time. That matters for back-to-school lists, art centers, and substitute-day plans where every minute counts. I also like the consistency: most pencils arrive with usable points that lay down color immediately, so quick outlines and simple shading start clean.
How I get the most from pre-sharpened points
A few habits keep the “ready now” advantage from turning into broken tips or dull results:
- I hand out a few pencils per student first, then swap colors as needed. It reduces drops and tip breaks.
- I keep a small sharpener nearby for touch-ups, but I don’t sharpen unless I need crisp details.
- I store the box flat in a desk or cubby so points don’t grind against the lid during transport.
- I pair them with simple desk cleanup gear like quick-size paper towels for shavings and smudges.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Ages 3+
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Blending, Shading & Detailing
Crayola’s soft cores lay down color fast, so I can build smooth gradients without pressing hard. Light pressure gives clean shading, while extra layers deepen tone without turning muddy. I like these for everyday coloring books and quick sketches, since the pigment stays consistent across most colors.
How I get smoother results
I stick to a few repeatable moves:
- Start with a whisper-light base layer, then add 2–4 light passes instead of one heavy pass.
- Blend by burnishing with a lighter pencil (cream or light gray) to soften transitions.
- Use sharp points for edges and textures, then tilt the pencil for broader shadow blocks.
For craft breaks, I’ll pair a coloring session with assorted Play-Doh colors to reset my hands.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Ages 3+
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Durability Notes
Crayola Colored Pencils earn a reputation for holding up. In day-to-day use, I find the cores stay intact through regular sketching, shading, and backpack carry, which aligns with the common “never break” feedback I see from buyers. That said, durability depends heavily on sharpening habits and how much force I apply.
Sharpening habits that prevent tip breakage
A smaller group reports repeated tip snaps during sharpening, and I’ve seen that happen when I rush or use a dull, cheap sharpener. I stick to a few habits that reduce breaks and wasted pencil length:
- I use a quality sharpener with a clean, sharp blade and empty shavings often.
- I sharpen with light pressure and slow turns, then stop as soon as the point forms.
- I avoid dropping pencils, since internal cracks can show up later as “mystery breaks.”
- I store them in a case or box so tips don’t bang together in a bag.
For households that already stock craft staples, pairing these with something like assorted craft colors can keep creative sessions moving even if a point chips.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Ages 3+
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Safety & Age Range
Crayola Colored Pencils are nontoxic and generally suited for ages 3+, so they’re a solid choice for preschool use. Even so, I treat them as art tools, not chew toys, and I keep broken tips and small pieces out of reach to reduce the chance of pokes or accidental mouth contact.
For a practical household setup, I store the pencils in a closed bin and pair them with thicker paper so younger kids don’t have to press as hard—this helps prevent snapped cores and frustration. I also like keeping a simple cleanup kit nearby; a roll from my quick-size paper towels review works well for graphite and pigment dust.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Kids Pencil Set, Pre-Sharpened Coloring Book Pencils for Kids & Adults, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Ages 3+
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Practical Details & Model Info
I like this set because it keeps the basics clear and consistent, which matters when I’m stocking a classroom, packing a travel kit, or replacing art supplies on a schedule. The box weighs 7.4 oz, so it drops into a backpack without feeling bulky. Dimensions come in at 5.25 x 8.25 x 0.69 inches, which fits standard desk drawers and most zip pouches with no fuss.
Build, handling, and what to expect
I prefer the round, smooth-grip wood barrel here. It rolls a bit on a table, yet it feels natural in my hand for longer coloring sessions. I also find the wood sharpens predictably, which helps when I switch between broad fills and tighter edges.
A few practical callouts I keep in mind:
- Model number: 68-4036, which helps when I’m matching sets across orders.
- Some listings show “Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: Yes,” but availability still looks strong.
- For storage, the slim box format stacks cleanly beside other supplies, even ones as unrelated as assorted modeling dough.
Buying note for consistency
I stick to the exact model ID in the product title to avoid getting a similar-looking pack with different counts or packaging.
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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
From Columbus, Ohio. Former neonatal nurse turned full-time mom of three. Megan reviews products with the intensity of someone who has cleaned applesauce off a ceiling. She cares about safety ratings, durability, and whether something survives toddler abuse.
