Best Art Supplies for Kids (2026)

Prismacolor Premier at $74.99 represents the professional end of colored pencils — the soft core is the key differentiator, allowing colors to blend and burnish rather than leaving a hard wax buildup on the paper. That burnishability is what separates Prismacolor from budget colored pencils: you can layer colors and blend them smoothly to create gradients and shading that approach the look of professional illustrations. The 72-count range covers the full spectrum including unusual hues that single-color replacements are available for. On this page, Prismacolor at $74.99 matches ARTEZA's 72-count set price exactly. The difference is brand reputation — Prismacolor has a 30+ year history as the professional illustration standard used in art schools and design studios. ARTEZA competes on similar specs at the same price but with shorter brand history. Both cost $22 more than the Faber-Castell starter set ($52.97), which provides a wider range of media rather than 72 colored pencils specifically. Crayola at $19.99 covers basic coloring for young children. Buy Prismacolor Premier if you have a serious teen artist who practices colored pencil technique and will use the full 72 colors to develop blending skills. Skip it for younger children who go through supplies quickly — the Faber-Castell set at $52.97 gives broader exposure at lower cost, and standard crayons at $19.99 handle classroom and casual drawing needs.

ARTEZA's 72-count colored pencil set at $74.99 offers the same 72-color range as Prismacolor Premier at the same price, with a soft wax core and pre-sharpened tips ready to use out of the box. The soft wax core allows for smooth layering and some blending — a step above hard-core student pencils — and the 72-color range includes enough variety for detailed work on portraits, landscapes, and pattern illustrations. ARTEZA has grown quickly as a value-positioned art supply brand targeting buyers who want quality supplies without paying premium brand prices. At $74.99, ARTEZA sits at the same price as Prismacolor Premier. The decision between the two comes down to brand history: Prismacolor is the 30+ year professional illustration standard; ARTEZA is a newer brand that competes on specification parity. Both significantly outperform the Faber-Castell set ($52.97) on pencil-specific depth but sacrifice multi-media range. For a teen specifically focused on colored pencil work, the Prismacolor reputation carries more weight in art communities. Buy ARTEZA 72-count if you want a full professional-range colored pencil set at the same price as Prismacolor but prefer ARTEZA's newer formulations or availability. Skip it in favor of Prismacolor if brand consistency and community validation matter — Prismacolor has the longer track record in art education settings.

Winsor & Newton's Winton Oil Color set at $33.05 introduces a different artistic medium entirely — the 20 tubes at 12ml each provide a starter palette of oil paints using lightfast pigments that hold their color over time. Winsor & Newton is the reference name in fine art paints and has been for nearly 200 years; the Winton line is their student-grade formulation that uses the same pigment chemistry as professional grades but at accessible prices, making it a legitimate first oil painting set rather than a toy-grade product with the brand name attached. On this page, Winsor & Newton at $33.05 is the second-lowest priced option after Crayola ($19.99), but it's a fundamentally different medium. Oil paints require solvents, specific brushes, and longer drying times — appropriate for older teens with adult supervision rather than young children. The Faber-Castell multi-media set at $52.97 covers a broader range of beginner-friendly media. Prismacolor ($74.99) and ARTEZA ($74.99) focus on colored pencil technique. Buy Winsor & Newton Winton if you have a teen interested in exploring oil painting as a serious medium and want to start with a brand that scales with skill level. Note: oil paints are not suitable for young children — they require ventilation and solvent handling. For younger kids, Crayola at $19.99 or the Faber-Castell set at $52.97 are more appropriate.

Crayola's 64-count crayon set at $19.99 is the most accessible and child-appropriate entry on this page. The 64-color range gives children enough variety for detailed artwork, seasonal scenes, and school projects — more than the standard 24 or 48-count sets without the bulk of 96+ count boxes. The built-in sharpener keeps points without needing a separate tool, which matters for children who draw regularly and lose crayon tips quickly. Crayola's non-toxic formula is certified safe for children ages 3 and up, and the brand's reliability across decades of school and home use is well established. On this page, Crayola at $19.99 is $13 less than Winsor & Newton's oil paint set ($33.05), $33 less than Faber-Castell's multi-media set ($52.97), and $55 less than the 72-count professional colored pencil sets. The price gap reflects the audience: Crayola is built for young children who need safe, durable crayons for daily use. The colored pencil and paint sets are for older children developing specific art techniques. Buy Crayola 64-Count if you're buying for a child ages 3 through 8 who needs reliable, safe crayons for schoolwork, coloring books, and creative drawing. Skip it for tweens and teens who want to develop colored pencil or painting skills — the Faber-Castell set at $52.97 or Prismacolor pencils at $74.99 provide the technical capability those age groups need.