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Non-Toxic Art Supplies For Worry Free Creativity

Resources for safe, non-toxic art supplies so your kids can get messy and creative without worry over exposure to toxic chemicals.

Resources for safe, non-toxic art supplies so your kids can get messy and creative without worry over exposure to toxic chemicals.

What’s more fun than finger paint? Or getting messy with markers, glue and clay? When you set your kids up at the art table, you want them to dive in, get creative and have fun! The last thing you want to have to worry about is safety.

Unfortunately, because of the lax regulations governing the use of chemicals in our country, untested, dangerous chemicals are allowed in many products that we use every day, including art supplies.

Why It Matters

Children are especially vulnerable to hidden chemicals in art supplies. First of all,  because every thing goes in their mouths – the crayons, the paint-covered hands – you know what I mean! When kids use art supplies, chemicals are being absorbed right through the skin and can off-gas into the air they breathe. Because of their small size and immature immune systems, these exposures have a greater impact on kids than adults.

Some of the bad stuff that may be lurking in art supplies include:

  • lead, cadmium and other heavy metals
  • touline, xylene, ammonia and other VOCs (volitile organic chemicals) that off-gas dangerous fumes
  • formaldehyde
  • PVC and phthalates

RELATED: 4 Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products for Your Home & Life

Non-Toxic Art Supplies

Luckily, there are plenty of non-toxic art supplies available to keep our little artists in business! Keep these tips and safer alternatives in mind next time you purchase art supplies:

(*If you make a purchase using an affiliate link I may receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting Mindful Momma if you do!)

Wee Can Too finger paint and other non-toxic art supplies for kids

Paints

Beware of oil based paints containing chemical solvents like methyl alcohol and toluene that emit dangerous VOCs. Also avoid paints colored with pigments made from highly toxic metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead. These paints may also contain formaldehyde. Children should always use water-based paints instead of oil based paints.

Safer alternatives:

  • Glob – Water based paints made with pigments found in vegetables, fruits, roots, herbs and spices.
  • Eco-Kids  – Finger paint made with fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, carrots, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach, and other natural ingredients.
  • Wee Can Too – Finger paint made with real vegetables. Vegan, wheat free and sugar free.
  • Natural Earth – Face paint made with certified organic ingredients including beeswax and shea butter.

Colored Pencils

Traditional colored pencils use chemical based pigments and may be coated with toxic varnish. Pencils made from sustainable wood and non-toxic pigments are better for people and the planet.

Safer alternatives:

  • Trimax – Natural pencils made from reforested wood with a safe lacquer finish.
  • Stubby Pencil Studio – Eco dry highlighter pencils made with sustainable wood and non-toxic pigments.

Honeysticks crayons and other non-toxic art supplies

Crayons

Conventional crayons are made with petroleum based paraffin wax and artificial, chemical-based colors. Look for crayons made with beeswax or soy wax, and non-toxic pigments instead.

Safer alternatives:

  • Stockmar – Beeswax crayons made with food-grade pigments that pass tests for detection of pesticide residues, PCB’s and heavy metals.
  • Filana – Paraffin free, organic beeswax crayons.
  • Eco-Kids – Crayon rocks made with natural wax and mineral pigments (get them for 1/2 off at Thrive Market!)
  • Honeysticks – Chubby beeswax crayons made with non-toxic pigments.
  • Crayon Rocks – Non-toxic soy wax crayons designed to strengthen grip muscles.
  • Earth Grown Crayons – Etsy shop selling fun-shaped crayons made with natural soy wax and non-toxic mineral pigments.

Modeling Clay & Play Dough

Polymer clay, used for modeling, is typically made with PVC material and softened with toxic phthalates. Most play dough, although labeled non-toxic, is colored with artificial colors. Vegetable based clays colored with food ingredients are a better choice.

Safer alternatives:

Wee Can Too sidewalk chalk and other non-toxic art supplies for kids

Sidewalk chalk

Most sidewalk chalk is make with artificial colors and some off-brands could be contaminated with heavy metals. Vegetable colored chalk is the safest option.

  • Wee Can Too – Edible, veggie based sidewalk chalk
  • Prang – Chalk made from 95% calcium carbonite

Glue

Avoid rubber cement and model glues that emit toxic VOCs. Stick to water-based glue instead.

Safer alternatives:

Jolly water based markers and other non-toxic art supplies

Markers

Many markers contain highly toxic chemical solvents like xylene, or are alcohol-based. Stick to water-based markers for kids.

Safer alternatives:

Art smocks

Skip smocks made with toxic PVC vinyl material.

Safer alternatives:

Drawing pads

Choose eco-friendly art pads to go along with your non-toxic art supplies.

  • Eco Kids – Eco art pad – FSC certified paper
  • Strathmore – Drawing pad made from 100% post consumer recycled paper.

 

Your turn: What are your favorite non-toxic art supplies for kids?

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About Micaela

Micaela Preston is natural living educator and safe and sustainable product activist. She has spoken at conferences and events, has lobbied for safer chemical laws, and has consulted with many brands and businesses. Her book, Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco Friendly Decision Making was published in 2009.

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Comments

  4. Jessica Moran says

    Great post! It’s so awesome to see that people are searching for better options. You can also check out Artterro eco art kits at http://www.artterro.com, if you’re looking for a convenient collection of materials. I work there, so I’m biased, but it’s a great, mom-owned company with very creative products.

    Reply

  7. Micaela says

    I'm kind of surprised Target hasn't gone down the non-toxic art supply path. They have a lot of recycled notebooks and paper but I haven't seen any "better" crayons and markers yet.

    Reply

  9. Maria says

    I am so glad to have come across this. My son is a toddler who loves to scribble and paint. I have been looking for non-toxic alternatives to the markers and paints that are out there. Thanks so much for this info.;)

    Reply

  13. CelloMom says

    Thanks for putting this list together: there were a few I don’t know yet but I’m going to try! For those ready to move beyond crayons, I would like to recommend Lyra pencils: intense colours, super-soft, great for on-paper blending, several sizes for growing hands. (Not that we will ever let go of the Stockmar crayons…)

    Reply

  16. Donna Fountaine says

    Micaela, the link to the Eco Kids glue does not work. I could not find the glue on their site, so I contacted them about it. They are discontinuing it.

    Reply