Review: Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Crayons

Crayola makes inexpensive art supplies for kids. Their products are great for young children to mess around with.

The box set I'm reviewing has 24 colours. You can find box sets with 8 to 64 colours. Price varies between US $6 to 18.

These are really affordable crayons, and quite popular too in the sense that you can probably expect to receive them if there's any sort of gift exchange at your kids' school. My box was actually from a gift exchange. And if I had not found an unused box of coloured pencils in my drawer to give away, I would have bought a box of Crayola crayons too.

In this review, I'll be comparing the Crayola crayons against the Caran d'Ache Neocolour wax pastels/crayons which I think are the gold standard of quality crayons.

When dry, the colours from both Crayola and Caran d'Ache appear vibrant.

The Crayoloa does feel more waxy compared to the Caran d'Ache Neocolor I wax pastels. Note that the watersoluble Caran d'Ache Neocolor II is also more waxy compared to Neocolor I, but less waxy compared to Crayola. Anyway, all the crayons won't rub off onto your fingers unless you really apply them onto your fingers.

The label on the crayon will keep your hands clean. Size of the Crayola is similar to the Caran d'Ache crayons. Diameter is just slightly larger compared to a wooden pencil.

Downside to Crayola is the tendency to produce those physical particles when you apply the crayon over large areas. With kids, those particles can go anywhere, e.g. floor, making the cleaning process more tedious.

There are not issues with applying multiple layers for colour mixing.

The Caran d'Ache blends more easily for colour mixing.

Both crayons can cover the paper well.

The quality difference is obvious here.

Caran a'Ache is more pigmented and the colours are intense when dissolved. Note that Neocolor I is water-resistant and Neocolor II (shown above) is water soluble.

When water is added to Crayola, the colour appears washed out. These crayons are marketed as "ultra-clean washable" crayons so that's actually the selling point. These crayons should be easy to wash off carpets, tables, walls, curtains or wherever your kid/s choose to draw on. The world is the canvas for small children.

When you apply crayon onto a wet surface, the Caran d'Ache can produce more vibrant colours compared to Crayon.

Colour blending or mixing on wet surface is possible with Caran d'Ache but almost impossible with the Crayola.

For drawing purposes, Crayola works well. And for young children, the quality is good enough, as in the colours are quite vibrant. These Crayola crayons are meant to be used dry.

In terms of value for money, you do get what you pay for. The Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Crayons are toddler-grade crayons. They are nowhere near student or artist grade crayons, and that's alright. Considering how inexpensive Crayola crayons are, they are really worth the money. Kids will love these crayons.

Availability

You can find more reviews and get these crayons at Dick Blick Art Materials (US) and Jackson's Art Supplies (UK).