Choosing non-toxic crayons isn’t just a matter of safety; it’s a conscious decision to nurture our creative spirits while caring for our health and the environment.
While crayons have been a beloved tool for creative expression, not all of them are created equal in terms of safety and environmental impact.
However, just as art knows no bounds, the world of eco-friendly art supplies is brimming with innovative solutions that prioritize the well-being of both your family and the earth—without sacrificing creative possibilities to do so.
We hope you brought your coloring book, because we have a whole box of eco-friendly crayons to ensure you and your little Van Goghs can color their world without worry.
For this list, we looked for crayon makers who use natural, non-toxic ingredients like beeswax, organic soy wax, coconut oil, kaolin clay, bicarbonate soda and shea butter. We also looked for brands who prioritize green business practices and community support.
With our new Brand Rating System, we’ll be moving to examine brands across 22 criteria like chemical use and customer safety. To learn more about this new system, see here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Non-Toxic Crayon Brands
Honeysticks’ natural beeswax, mouth-safe composition makes them perfect for toddlers and babies who are just starting to explore their artistic impulses.
Specially formulated with natural ingredients like food-grade beeswax instead of toxic paraffin wax, the various shapes of crayons by eco-kids are both safe and environmentally friendly.
Index: Non-Toxic Crayons
- Honeysticks Jump to brand
- Eco-Kids Jump to brand
- Crayola Jump to brand
- Stockmar Jump to brand
- OOLY Jump to brand
- Filana Jump to brand
- Crayon Rocks Jump to brand
Honeysticks
Honeysticks’ Natural Wax Crayons
Price Range: $23–$47
Honeysticks Pure Beeswax Crayons are free from harmful chemicals, fillers, and petroleum byproducts (including paraffin wax), securing their place as the preferred no-chemical children’s crayons for parents and educators alike.
The rich colors are all food-grade and safe.
Choose between round jumbo crayons and easy-grip triangle ones, which are great for 1-year-olds who are just getting their hands on drawing and exploring their artistic impulses.
About Honeysticks
Honeysticks’ ethos is deeply rooted in delivering products that are environmentally friendly and safe for children.
They use only natural ingredients, ensuring that the littlest artists can create their masterpieces without being exposed to any toxic substances.
Beyond that, they also utilize renewable resources, avoid plastic, and handcraft all their own products in New Zealand.
Eco-Kids
eco-kids’ Natural Beeswax Crayons
Price Range: $7–35
eco-kids’ Natural Beeswax Crayons are a dream for eco-conscious families, offering a splash of rich color that glides smoothly across the page.
Specially formulated for both toddlers and babies, eco-kids crayons provide a safe, natural coloring experience free from harmful chemicals, making them an outstanding choice for environmentally minded parents and a fantastic way to introduce little ones to art.
They come in all shapes and sizes, from traditional sticks to Dinosaur Bones.
About eco-kids
eco-kids leads with a philosophy that marries creativity with sustainability.
Their art supplies, including crayons, are made from natural ingredients and are both food safe and non-GMO.
As a family-run company based in Maine, Eco Kids crafts their products locally, ensuring that every item supports “creative play, the natural way”.
Crayola
Crayola’s Ultra-Clean Crayons
Price Range: $3–$55
Crayola is a household name but are Crayola crayons non-toxic?
As with any brand that’s been around for over a century as they have, they haven’t always been.
However, part of their Ultra-Clean Crayons are made with non-toxic materials.
Personally, we’d prefer to opt for one of the smaller brands who are more focused on sustainability but understand that Crayola is just the way to go for some – so go with the Ultra-Clean range!
Stockmar
Stockmar’s Beeswax Stick Crayons
Price Range: $20–$39
Stockmar’ Beeswax Stick Crayons are crafted from non-toxic beeswax, providing a sensory experience that’s as pleasing to the touch as it is to the eye.
The Stockmar crayons offer a rich, creamy texture that glides smoothly over paper, fostering a love for art in every stroke.
With their jumbo size, they are perfectly suited for small hands, and their unique formulation allows for a variety of shading techniques, making them a top choice for young and more advanced artists alike.
They use only European-sourced synthetic-organic food-grade pigments, ensuring everything is as locally and as sustainably-sourced as possible.
OOLY
OOLY’s Beeswax Crayons
Price Range: $9–$17
Illuminate your child’s world with the vibrant hues of OOLY.
These beeswax crayons offer a kaleidoscope of color for young artists, with a non-toxic formula that’s perfect for hands both small and big.
The crayons’ ergonomic triangular shape ensures they stay put on the table and makes them easy to hold, fostering a natural grip for budding artists.
The Brilliant Bee set stands out with its array of brilliant colors that are as impressive on black paper as they are on white.
Filana
Filana’s Organic Beeswax Crayons
Price Range: $16–$21
Filana’s crayons redefine coloring with their non-toxic, richly pigmented, and smooth-gliding experience.
Created for both toddlers and babies, Filana crayons offer the purest form of color, made from a harmonious blend of natural waxes and organic beeswax.
If your kiddo likes keeping their supplies organized, they also have beautiful wooden crayon holders.
Each set of their organic beeswax crayons is crafted in the USA, devoid of any petroleum-based ingredients.
Crayon Rocks
Crayon Rocks’ Natural Crayon Pebbles
Price Range: $6–$33
If your kids are like ours, it’s hard to say what they like better: coloring or collecting rocks.
And with Crayon Rocks’ delightful twist on traditional crayons, they don’t have to.
These charming crayons are crafted in the USA and are non-toxic, using natural soy wax and mineral powders for coloring.
Their unique, pebble-like design is more than just cute; it’s educational, helping to strengthen the tripod grip muscles essential for developing young brains and fine motor skills.
The crayons come in a reusable cotton muslin bag.
DIY Natural Crayons
Whether you’re an artist, a parent, or simply someone who loves to color, you add an extra creative edge to your coloring by making your own easy homemade natural crayons.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- Beeswax pellets or grated beeswax (or soy wax, if you’re vegan)
- Natural colorants and non-toxic pigments (think: turmeric for yellow, beet root powder for pink, etc)
- Essential oils for scent (optional)
- Silicone mold with crayon-shaped cavities (or if different shapes are desired, you can even use plain silicone ice cube trays)
- Heat-resistant container or microwave-safe bowl
- Double boiler or microwave
- Stirring utensil (wooden sticks or a disposable spoon)
- Clothespin or popsicle sticks
- Thermometer
Once you’ve gathered all that, follow this step-by-step guide:
1. Measure Beeswax: Start by measuring the beeswax pellets or grating beeswax. You’ll need approximately 1 cup of grated beeswax for a small batch of crayons.
2. Prepare Your Mold: Grease your silicone mold lightly with cooking spray or a small amount of melted beeswax to make removing the crayons easier.
3. Add Natural Color: Add natural colorants to the grated beeswax and mix and adjust the amount as needed to achieve your desired color intensity.
4. Melt the Beeswax: Using a double boiler or a microwave-safe container, melt the grated beeswax. Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature stays between 160-170°F (71-77°C).
5. Add Scent (Optional): If you’d like scented crayons, stir in a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the melted beeswax.
6. Pour the Wax: Carefully pour the melted beeswax into the silicone mold, filling each crayon-shaped cavity to the top.
7. Insert the Wick (Optional): If you want to create crayon-like crayons with a wick for added fun, insert a wick into the center of each crayon while the wax is still warm.
8. Let It Cool: Allow the crayons to cool and harden for several hours. You can speed up the process by placing them in the fridge, popping your new beeswax crayons out of the mold when cool and hardened.
Now that you have your homemade natural crayons, let your imagination run wild and start coloring!
Why Opt For Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Crayons Over Conventional Varieties?
Conventional Crayons Are Toxic
Most commercial crayons are made with paraffin wax, a petroleum-based wax that can contain toxic chemicals like benzene, stearic acid, and toluene.
These chemicals can be harmful if ingested or inhaled and are linked to a range of health issues, from headaches and nausea to more serious conditions like cancer.
Melting paraffin wax-based candles can emit toxic toluene and benzene.
The science on how bad these chemicals are for you or your kids in small doses is not particularly clear but when there are better known alternatives, we’d personally opt for these instead.
Lead In Crayons
In the US and in many other counties, lead was banned in children’s products back in the 70s and a crayon recall for lead hasn’t occurred since 1996.
But with so many imported products, that doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. In fact, most crayons in the past that have been recalled for lead have come from countries that lack the US’s stringent child safety standards.
And as recently as 2018, dollar store crayons were tested and found to have asbestos lurking in them.
Environmental Impact
In addition to the potential health risks, conventional toxic crayons also contribute to plastic waste. An estimated 15 billion pounds of plastic waste is generated each year from near-impossible-to-recycle plastic in conventional products.
Choosing those made from natural pigments and ingredients like beeswax or soy wax is a safer and more environmentally friendly option as these can be composted at the end of the useful life.
