The best art supplies for students balance versatility, mess management, and cost per project, and after comparing 11 popular options, the Caliart 176PCS Sketching Kit earns the top spot for its all-in-one convenience and included sketch book. Students who want a premium organized set should look at the TMOL 175-Pack Deluxe Art Set with Wooden Case, while younger students and classrooms are better served by Crayola’s washable bulk options like the Super Tips 100-count markers. The main tradeoff in this category is breadth versus depth: big all-in-one kits give students many mediums to explore, while single-medium packs deliver more of one supply in better quality. Another tension is student age — washable, blunt-tip products suit elementary kids, while older students need blendable, pigment-rich tools. Read on for the full breakdown of what each pick does best and who should skip it.
Key Takeaways
- All-in-one kits (Caliart and TMOL) won on versatility, but the Caliart ranks higher because its included 100-sheet sketch book makes it usable the moment it’s opened, while the TMOL’s wooden case adds cost without adding paper.
- Washability was the deciding factor for younger students: Crayola Super Tips and Broad Line markers beat the Mr. Sketch scented markers for classroom use despite the Mr. Sketch set’s stronger appeal to kids.
- Bulk packs like the 24-pack crayon box and 480-sheet construction paper deliver the lowest cost per student, but only make sense for teachers and multi-child households — solo students will never use the quantity.
- The Artecho 48-color oil pastels placed above every Crayola single-medium product for older students because blendability and pigment load matter more than washability once kids reach middle school.
- Air dry clay was the only sculptural option in the lineup, which makes it a category-filler rather than a head-to-head competitor — buy it to round out a supply kit, not to compete with drawing tools.
| Artecho Oil Pastels Set of 48 Colors (10 x 70 mm) |  | Best for Blending & Color Theory | Number of Colors: 48 | Stick Size: 10 x 70 mm | Material: Oil pastels | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Caliart 176PCS Art Supplies Sketching Kit with 100 Sheets 3-Color Sketch Book |  | Best Overall | Total Pieces: 176 | Sketchbook Sheets: 100 | Paper Tones: 3 (white, tan, black) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Classroom and Art Supplies for Kids & Adults |  | Best Single-Set Value | Quantity: 36 colored pencils | Recommended Ages: 3+ | Sharpness: Presharpened | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Air Dry Clay (5 lbs) |  | Best for 3D Projects | Weight: 5 lbs | Material: Air dry clay | Color: Natural white | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Bulk Colored Pencils for Kids (24 Pack), Classroom Supplies for Preschool & Kindergarten |  | Best Bulk Buy for Classrooms | Quantity: 24 packs | Pencils per Pack: 12 | Colors: Red, red orange, orange, yellow, green, yellow green, sky blue, blue, purple, black, brown, white | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| TMOL Art Supplies 175-Pack Deluxe Art Set with Wooden Case |  | Best All-in-One Gift Set | Number of Items: 175 | Includes: Crayons, acrylic paints, oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor cakes, brushes, palettes, drawing pencils, sharpener, eraser, pads | Case Material: Wood | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Broad Line Markers (12-pack), Assorted Colors |  | Best Bulk Classroom Pick | Number of Packs: 12 | Markers per Pack: 10 | Total Markers: 120 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, Chisel Tip, 22 Count |  | Best for Younger Kids’ Engagement | Number of Colors: 22 | Tip Type: Chisel | Scented: Yes | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Crayons Bulk (24 Packs) |  | Best Value for Group Projects | Number of Packs: 24 | Crayons per Pack: 24 | Total Crayons: 576 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Construction Paper Bulk Pack (480 Sheets) |  | Best Foundation Supply | Total Sheets: 480 | Colors: 10 assorted | Sheet Size: 9 x 12 inches | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Super Tips Marker Set (100ct), Fine Point Washable Markers for Kids & Adults |  | Best Color Range | Quantity: 100 markers | Color Type: Multicolored | Tip Size: Fine point (thick or thin lines) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Artecho Oil Pastels Set of 48 Colors (10 x 70 mm)
Most of this roundup favors dry, precise media like the Crayola Colored Pencils, but this option stands out when the assignment calls for bold, blendable color. Oil pastels teach shading and color-mixing in a way pencils can’t — students can smear two hues together with a fingertip and instantly see how orange emerges from red and yellow. The 48-color range gives enough variety for serious projects without the overwhelming pile of tools in the Caliart 176-piece kit. Individual sleeves keep hands and backpacks (mostly) clean, which matters for shared classroom tables. The tradeoff: soft pastels are messy and fragile. They snap under pressure, smudge onto everything nearby, and without stated lightfastness, finished pieces may fade if displayed in sunlight for months.
Pros:- 48 richly pigmented colors offer real depth for blending and shading lessons
- Soft texture makes color-mixing visible and intuitive for students
- Individual sleeves reduce mess and protect sticks in a backpack
- Non-toxic and portable for all ages and skill levels
Cons:- Soft pastels snap easily under heavy pressure from younger students
- No stated lightfastness, so artwork may fade if displayed long-term
- Smudging makes it messy compared with pencils or markers in the same roundup
Best for: Middle and high school art students learning blending, shading, and color-mixing techniques
Not ideal for: Tidy classrooms or young kids — soft pastels smudge easily, break under rough handling, and leave residue on hands and desks
- Number of Colors:48
- Stick Size:10 x 70 mm
- Material:Oil pastels
- Shape:Round
- Hardness:Soft
- Packaging:Individual sleeves
- Safety:Non-toxic
Our verdict“Pick this for students ready to move beyond pencils into expressive, blendable color work — just keep wipes handy.”
Caliart 176PCS Art Supplies Sketching Kit with 100 Sheets 3-Color Sketch Book
This kit earns the top spot because it covers every major drawing medium a student will encounter — graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, watercolor pencil, even metallic — in one zippered case. Compared with the Crayola 36-count colored pencils, which handles one medium well, this set lets a student experiment across techniques without buying six separate products. The bundled 100-sheet, three-tone sketchbook (white, tan, black) is a smarter inclusion than it sounds: toned paper forces students to think about highlights, not just shadows. The compromises are real, though. Quality is decent, not professional — each pencil type is good for practice but a serious art student will outgrow them. And the sheer volume can overwhelm a beginner who doesn’t yet know what a blending stump is for.
Pros:- Covers graphite, charcoal, watercolor, colored, and metallic pencils in one kit
- Includes accessories most sets skip: blending stumps, water brush, pencil extender
- Three-tone sketchbook encourages advanced value-study techniques
- Zippered case keeps 176 pieces organized and portable
Cons:- Jack-of-all-trades quality — individual pencils don’t match dedicated premium sets
- Beginners may find 176 pieces overwhelming and hard to organize
- Sketchbook is limited to three paper tones in a small 6″x9″ size
Best for: Older students and teens exploring multiple drawing mediums who want one organized kit for class and travel
Not ideal for: Casual colorers who just want to fill coloring books — the charcoal and blending tools are wasted money for that use
- Total Pieces:176
- Sketchbook Sheets:100
- Paper Tones:3 (white, tan, black)
- Sketchbook Size:6″ x 9″
- Pencil Types:Graphite, colored, watercolor, charcoal, white charcoal, metallic
- Included Tools:Blending stumps, water brush pen, erasers, sharpener, pencil extender
- Portability:Zippered carrying case
Our verdict“The best single purchase for a student who wants to try everything before committing to one medium.”
Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct), Classroom and Art Supplies for Kids & Adults
This is the sensible middle ground of the colored-pencil options here. It offers three times the color range of the Crayola 24-pack bulk boxes (12 colors each) at a price far below the Caliart 176-piece kit, making it the smart pick for a single student who needs real color variety without a pile of gear. The pencils arrive presharpened with soft, durable cores, which means they survive a backpack and work straight out of the box — a genuine advantage over budget sets that arrive dull or cracked. The limitations come at the edges of ambition: 36 colors handle school projects and coloring easily, but detailed portrait or botanical work will strain the range, and there are no blendable or water-soluble variants for advanced techniques. It’s a dependable workhorse, not a creative playground.
Pros:- 36-color range covers school projects and coloring without bulk-buy overkill
- Presharpened with break-resistant soft cores that survive backpacks
- Safe and usable for ages 3 through adult
- Trusted classroom-standard brand at an accessible price
Cons:- Only 36 colors — not enough nuance for detailed or realistic artwork
- No water-soluble or blendable options for advanced techniques
- Cores lay down lighter pigment than artist-grade pencils
Best for: Parents buying one dependable colored pencil set for homework, coloring, and school projects
Not ideal for: Students doing detailed or advanced artwork — 36 colors and basic cores limit layering and blending results
- Quantity:36 colored pencils
- Recommended Ages:3+
- Sharpness:Presharpened
- Core Type:Soft, durable
- Safety:Non-toxic
- Best Use:Coloring, school projects, classroom
Our verdict“The default colored pencil set for one student — enough range for schoolwork, without paying for tools you won’t use.”
Crayola Air Dry Clay (5 lbs)
Every other product in this roundup is flat — this is the only pick that lets a student build something dimensional. For school sculpture projects, dioramas, and hand-building lessons, 5 pounds of air-dry clay in a re-sealable bucket covers a small group without the kiln requirement (or expense) of real ceramic clay. Compared with the Crayola Construction Paper bulk pack, which serves flat crafts at scale, this serves an entirely different skill set: form, structure, and proportion. The natural white surface takes paint and markers well once dry, pairing nicely with the Crayola marker sets elsewhere in this guide. But temper expectations: it dries by evaporation, so pieces take a day or more to harden, thinner extensions crack or snap easily, and a bucket left open too long turns into a brick. It’s forgiving to shape, less forgiving to keep.
Pros:- Only 3D medium in this lineup — teaches form and structure flat media can’t
- No kiln or baking required; hardens on its own
- Re-sealable 5 lb bucket supports multiple projects and group use
- Natural white surface accepts paint and markers after drying
Cons:- Requires a full day or more of drying time before painting or handling
- Prone to cracking, especially in thin or extended sections
- Clay dries out permanently if the bucket isn’t sealed tightly between uses
Best for: Teachers and parents running sculpture, diorama, or hands-on craft projects without kiln access
Not ideal for: Students wanting durable, keepsake-quality sculptures — air-dried pieces crack and chip far more than fired clay
- Weight:5 lbs
- Material:Air dry clay
- Color:Natural white
- Hardening Method:Air dry, no kiln needed
- Storage:Re-sealable bucket
- Finish Options:Paintable and marker-decorable after drying
Our verdict“The go-to for three-dimensional school projects — just plan around drying time and don’t expect kiln-fired durability.”
Crayola Bulk Colored Pencils for Kids (24 Pack), Classroom Supplies for Preschool & Kindergarten
This one plays a completely different game from the Crayola 36-count single set: it sacrifices color range for sheer distribution power. With 24 individual packs of 12 pencils each, a teacher can hand every student their own set — no shared cups, no arguments, no germ-swapping. For preschool and kindergarten budgets, that per-student economics beats buying individual retail sets many times over. The pencils are presharpened with break-resistant soft cores, sized for small hands and rough treatment. The compromises follow directly from the format: 12 colors is the bare minimum palette, so anything beyond basic coloring and simple crafts hits a wall. And a family buying for one or two kids will find two dozen packs piling up unused. It’s a purchasing decision, not a creative one — brilliant for a classroom, wasteful for a household.
Pros:- 24 individual packs enable per-student distribution with no sharing
- Lowest per-student cost of any pencil option in this roundup
- Presharpened, break-resistant cores built for young, heavy-handed users
- Easy-grip standard size suited to preschool and kindergarten hands
Cons:- Only 12 colors per pack — minimal range for detailed work
- Bulk format is wasteful for households with just one or two children
- No extras like erasers or grip cushions on any pencil
Best for: Teachers and day-care providers who need an individual pencil set for every student on a tight budget
Not ideal for: Families with one or two kids — 24 packs is excessive and the 12-color palette is too limited for home art projects
- Quantity:24 packs
- Pencils per Pack:12
- Colors:Red, red orange, orange, yellow, green, yellow green, sky blue, blue, purple, black, brown, white
- Pre-sharpened:Yes
- Core Durability:Soft cores resist breaking
- Target Users:Preschool and kindergarten classrooms
Our verdict“Buy this if you’re stocking a classroom of two dozen students; skip it entirely if you’re shopping for one child.”
TMOL Art Supplies 175-Pack Deluxe Art Set with Wooden Case
Where the Crayola markers and crayons elsewhere in this lineup cover one medium at a time, this set tries to cover nearly all of them at once — paints, pastels, colored pencils, watercolor cakes, brushes, and pads in a single wooden case. That breadth is the whole point: a student can sample acrylic, watercolor, and dry media without committing to any of them separately. Compared with the Caliart 176-piece kit, the wooden case here feels more gift-worthy and keeps loose pieces from vanishing into a backpack. The tradeoff is depth. Nothing in this set is professional-grade, and a serious art student will outgrow the pencil and brush quality quickly. It’s a starting point, not a destination — best treated as a sampler for discovering which medium deserves a real investment later.
Pros:- Covers nearly every major medium in one purchase
- Wooden case keeps supplies organized and looks gift-ready
- Accessible price per piece for budget-conscious buyers
- Non-toxic components safe for younger students
Cons:- Individual tool quality is entry-level across the board
- The wooden case is bulky and awkward to carry to class
- Large spread of supplies can overwhelm a true beginner
Best for: Parents or relatives buying a gift for a student who hasn’t settled on a favorite medium yet
Not ideal for: Students already specializing in one medium — the per-item quality lags behind dedicated sets like the Artecho 48-color pastels
- Number of Items:175
- Includes:Crayons, acrylic paints, oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor cakes, brushes, palettes, drawing pencils, sharpener, eraser, pads
- Case Material:Wood
- Media Types Covered:Acrylic, watercolor, oil pastel, colored pencil, graphite
- Safety:Non-toxic
- Skill Level:Beginner to intermediate
Our verdict“Buy this as a generous gift for an undecided young artist, not as a serious upgrade for someone who already knows their medium.”
Crayola Broad Line Markers (12-pack), Assorted Colors
This is a teacher’s purchase, not a student’s. Twelve boxes of ten markers each means 120 markers for group distribution, which is exactly how classroom art actually works — half the class loses caps, and you need spares. Compared with the Crayola Super Tips 100-count, these broad-line markers trade fine detail work for coverage and durability; the chunky tips survive heavy-handed elementary artists far better than fine points do. The ten-color palette per box is deliberately basic, and that’s fine here, since classroom projects rarely need 22 shades. The real limitation is waste for anyone outside a group setting — a single household would be opening boxes for years. And like every marker, dried-out tips are a constant risk if caps aren’t enforced.
Pros:- 120 total markers at a low per-unit cost
- Broad tips hold up to aggressive young-artists’ pressure
- Individually boxed packs make classroom distribution simple
- Non-toxic and safe for ages 3 and up
Cons:- Tips dry out fast when caps aren’t replaced properly
- Only ten colors per box — far less range than the Super Tips 100ct
- Bulk packaging is impractical for single-child households
Best for: Teachers, daycares, and homeschool co-ops supplying multiple kids at once
Not ideal for: Families with one child — the bulk quantity is overkill and half the boxes will sit unopened
- Number of Packs:12
- Markers per Pack:10
- Total Markers:120
- Tip Type:Broad line
- Colors:Orange, Yellow, Brown, Violet, Red, Blue, Black, Pink, Gray, Green
- Age Range:3+
- Non-Toxic:Yes
Our verdict“If you’re stocking a room full of kids, this is the smartest marker buy in the roundup; if you’re buying for one child, get the Super Tips instead.”
Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, Chisel Tip, 22 Count
Scent is a gimmick until you watch a six-year-old hunt through 22 markers to find the cherry one — then it’s motivation. This set earns its spot by making marker time genuinely exciting for early-elementary students, something the more practical Crayola broad-line bulk box doesn’t attempt. The chisel tip is the hidden advantage: it produces both broad fills and thinner lines, giving kids more control than the single-width broad tips do. Compared with the Super Tips 100ct, you give up more than 75 colors and washability, which matters if your art surfaces include walls or clothes. The 22-count box also sits in an awkward middle for buyers — more than a solo kid needs for one project, yet far short of classroom-scale quantities. It’s a reward-and-enrichment purchase, not an everyday supply buy.
Pros:- Scented ink actively engages young children in creative play
- Chisel tip offers both broad and narrow stroke options
- AP certified non-toxic for ages 3 and up
- Chunky barrels are easy for small hands to grip
Cons:- Not washable, so ink stains on skin and fabric are harder to remove
- 22 colors look thin next to the 100-color Super Tips set
- Scent intensity divides opinion — pleasant to kids, cloying to some adults
Best for: Parents and elementary teachers who want to make coloring time feel special and sensory
Not ideal for: Anyone needing washable ink or bulk quantities — the scents can’t compensate for the cleanup and supply math
- Number of Colors:22
- Tip Type:Chisel
- Scented:Yes
- Safety Certification:AP certified
- Age Range:3+
- Non-Toxic:Yes
Our verdict“Choose this when the goal is delighting a young artist, and stick with washable Crayola options when the goal is survival.”
Crayola Crayons Bulk (24 Packs)
Twenty-four boxes of 24 crayons is the classic back-to-school economics play: cheap, durable, and impossible to ruin in a week the way markers dry out. Crayons are the most forgiving medium in this roundup for preschool and kindergarten students — no caps, no ink, no bleeding through the Crayola construction paper they’ll inevitably be paired with. Compared with the Crayola bulk colored pencil set, crayons win for the under-6 crowd because they require zero pressure control and sharpen less often. The ceiling is obvious, though: the 24-color palette is intentionally basic, and any student doing shading or detail work has already moved on to colored pencils or pastels like the Artecho 48-color set. This is a foundational supply, and it’s honest about that.
Pros:- Lowest cost per student of any product in this roundup
- No caps or ink means no dried-out supplies or stained surfaces
- 24 colors per box covers the basic spectrum kids actually use
- Boxes are pre-portioned for easy sharing
Cons:- Basic palette with no skin tones or blended shades
- Bulk quantity far exceeds what a single family needs
- Crayon quality caps out well below pencil and pastel alternatives
Best for: Preschool and kindergarten teachers, plus parents running playdates or party craft stations
Not ideal for: Students past early elementary — the color range can’t support shading, blending, or detailed work
- Number of Packs:24
- Crayons per Pack:24
- Total Crayons:576
- Colors per Pack:24, including Bluetiful, Cerulean, Scarlet, and Indigo
- Best Use:Classrooms, group crafts, color recognition activities
- Age Fit:Preschool and up
Our verdict“The cheapest way to put reliable art tools in many small hands at once — just don’t expect it to grow with the artist.”
Crayola Construction Paper Bulk Pack (480 Sheets)
Every other product in this roundup needs something to draw, paint, or glue onto, and this is that something at scale. 480 sheets in 10 colors is the quiet backbone of a classroom art cabinet, and buying it once beats replenishing 20-sheet retail packs every few weeks. Compared with sketch-book-based options like the Caliart kit’s included pad, construction paper is built for cutting, folding, and glue-based projects rather than drawing — the texture is coarse and will frustrate anyone trying detailed pencil work on it. Pair it with the Crayola crayon bulk box and a class of 25 is stocked for a semester. The limitations are physical: sheets are fixed at 9 x 12 inches, so posters and larger projects need taping together, and at 5.1 pounds this isn’t something a young student carries around casually.
Pros:- Bulk quantity covers a full semester of classroom crafts
- Ten vibrant colors support color-themed lessons and seasonal projects
- Sturdy enough for cutting, folding, and glue without tearing
- Standard 9 x 12 size fits most kids’ project templates
Cons:- Coarse texture performs poorly with pencils and fine-line markers
- Sheet size is fixed — larger projects require assembling pieces
- 5.1-pound box is cumbersome for young students to handle
Best for: Teachers and homeschool parents running frequent cut-and-paste craft projects
Not ideal for: Students focused on drawing or sketching — the rough texture is wrong for pencils, and serious artists need heavier drawing paper
- Total Sheets:480
- Colors:10 assorted
- Sheet Size:9 x 12 inches
- Weight:5.1 pounds
- Best Use:Cut-and-paste crafts, classroom projects
- Brand:Crayola
Our verdict“An essential bulk buy for craft-heavy classrooms, but drawing-focused students should spend their budget on quality paper or a sketch pad instead.”
Crayola Super Tips Marker Set (100ct), Fine Point Washable Markers for Kids & Adults
While the Crayola Broad Line Markers (12-pack) cover basic coloring needs, this 100-count set exists for students who want serious color variety without a serious price. The Super Tips’ ability to draw both thick and thin lines from a single tip means one marker replaces two, which matters for detail work in journals and school projects where switching tools kills momentum. Compared with the Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, you trade the novelty of scent for sheer breadth — 100 colors versus 22 — making this the stronger pick for older students doing shading and color-mixing exercises. The washable formula is a genuine advantage over the Artecho Oil Pastels, which are notoriously harder to clean off desks and uniforms. The tradeoff: fine tips alone can’t deliver bold poster coverage, and 100 uncapped-till-late markers are only as durable as a student’s capping habits.
Pros:- 100 distinct colors give students real shading and blending options
- Dual-width tip draws both fine detail and broader strokes
- Washable, non-toxic formula cleans off skin and most fabrics easily
- Cost per marker is far lower than buying smaller sets repeatedly
- Safe and usable for a wide age range, from age 3 through adult hobbyists
Cons:- Fine tips dry out quickly if caps aren’t pressed on firmly — a real risk with younger kids
- No broad or chisel tip option, limiting large-format work
- Bulk box packaging is awkward for backpacks and travel
Best for: Elementary through middle school students who want maximum color options for detailed coloring, journaling, and mixed-media school projects
Not ideal for: Students focused on bold poster work or signage — fine tips can’t match broad-line markers or crayons for large-scale coverage
- Quantity:100 markers
- Color Type:Multicolored
- Tip Size:Fine point (thick or thin lines)
- Washable:Yes — water washable
- Non-Toxic:Yes
- Suitable Age:3 years and up
- Best Use:Coloring, drawing, school art projects
Our verdict“This is the pick for students who’ve outgrown a basic 12-pack and want an affordable color library, as long as they’re diligent about capping.”
How We Picked
I evaluated these products through a student-specific lens rather than a professional-artist one. The criteria that mattered most: age appropriateness (washable formulas and blunt tips for younger kids, blendable pigments for teens), cost per usable item (a 176-piece kit is only a bargain if the pieces aren’t filler), mess factor for classroom and home use, and whether the product works out of the box or requires extra purchases like paper. I also weighed durability — how well supplies survive backpack transport and how long the stock lasts under daily use.
The ranking logic favors versatility and completeness at the top, which is why the two large multi-medium kits lead the list while single-medium bulk packs sit lower. Within the single-medium group, I ordered products by how well they match their target age range: washable markers and chunky crayons for early grades, oil pastels and richer colored pencils for older students. Products that only make sense for teachers buying in volume were ranked for that audience specifically rather than penalized for lack of individual value.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Art Supplies For Students
Choosing art supplies for a student is less about finding the highest-quality materials and more about matching the supply to the student’s age, the setting, and how often they’ll actually create. These are the factors that separated the good picks from the wasted money in this comparison.Match the Medium to the Student’s Age
The single most common buying mistake is giving a seven-year-old tools meant for a fourteen-year-old, or vice versa. Younger students need washable formulas, broad tips, and blunt instruments — this is why Crayola’s washable markers and chunky crayons dominate elementary classrooms. Older students hit a wall with those products: pigments labeled “washable” are typically diluted, so middle and high schoolers get better results from oil pastels and richer colored pencils like the Artecho set. A student who feels limited by cheap supplies often loses interest in art entirely, which makes age-matching a motivational issue, not just a practical one. If you’re buying for a range of ages, the large mixed kits solve this by offering something for every skill level in one box.
All-in-One Kits Versus Single-Medium Packs
Big kits like the Caliart and TMOL sets look impressive, but the real question is whether the student will use even half of what’s inside. Kits make the most sense for beginners still discovering their preferred medium and for students who need a portable, self-contained set for travel or class. The tradeoff is quality dilution: a 175-piece kit at $35 means each piece costs about twenty cents, and individual pieces rarely match the performance of a dedicated $20 set of pastels. Single-medium packs deliver depth — more colors, better pigment, consistent quality — but require the student to already know what they like. My advice from this comparison: buy a kit first, watch what gets used up fastest, then replace that one medium with a dedicated quality set.
Washability and Mess Management
Washability matters more than most buyers expect, and it affects two different things: cleanup at home and consequences at school. Truly washable markers and crayons come out of clothing, skin, and walls with water; oil pastels and standard markers do not, and pastels also produce dust and smearing that spreads to sleeves and tables. If the supplies will live in a backpack alongside textbooks, or if the student works at a shared kitchen table, premium washable options are worth paying slightly more for. Classroom teachers should treat washability as non-negotiable — a single ruined uniform or carpet incident costs more than the price difference between product tiers. For dedicated art spaces with older students, this factor drops in importance and pigment quality should take priority instead.
Paper Is Not an Afterthought
Several products in this roundup — markers, pastels, colored pencils — are only as good as the surface they’re used on, and cheap paper is the most frequent hidden cost. Thin construction paper buckles under wet markers, and standard printer paper pills under the heavy layering that oil pastels require. This is why the Caliart kit’s included 100-sheet sketch book gave it a real advantage: buyers pay one price and the student can start immediately. When budgeting, plan roughly one dollar of paper for every three dollars of drawing supplies. Bulk construction paper like the Crayola 480-sheet pack only makes sense for classrooms and craft-heavy households; a single student will finish a marker set long before 480 sheets disappear.
Cost Per Student Versus Cost Per Item
Piece counts are the most misleading number in this category. A “176-piece” kit counts each pencil, crayon, and accessory individually, while a 24-pack of crayons is honest about being 24 crayons. The better metric is cost per hour of creative use, and by that measure, bulk classroom packs are unbeatable for teachers but wasteful for one child. Similarly, a wooden case (as on the TMOL set) adds perceived value that never translates into art. Before buying, divide the price by the number of items the student will realistically use in three months — that number reveals whether you’re buying supplies or buying packaging.
Classroom Bulk Buying: When It Pays and When It Doesn’t
Teachers and homeschooling parents face a different calculation than individual buyers. Bulk formats — the 24 crayon packs, the 480-sheet paper case, the 100-count marker box — exist for distribution across many students and drop the per-student cost dramatically. The mistake teachers make is assuming one product fits all grades; a kindergarten classroom needs broad-line washable tools while a fifth-grade room benefits from fine-tip markers and better colored pencils. Timing also matters: school-supply pricing in late summer can undercut bulk pricing for the rest of the year, so stocking a full year’s consumables in August usually wins. For parents, the only bulk purchases that make sense are shared consumables like paper, since a single child can’t deplete 24 marker sets before they dry out or lose interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a large art kit or build a custom set from individual products?
Large kits win for beginners and gift-giving because they let a student sample many mediums before committing to favorites — the Caliart and TMOL sets in this roundup cost less than three or four quality single-medium products bought separately. The downside is that kit components are budget-grade, so a student who falls in love with pastels will eventually outgrow the pastels in a mixed set. Building a custom set makes more sense once the student has a clear preference, because a dedicated $20 set of one medium will outperform the same medium inside any $35 kit. A practical middle path: start with a kit, track which supplies run out first, and replace only those with quality standalone versions.
Are washable art supplies lower quality than regular ones?
Generally yes, and it’s a tradeoff worth understanding rather than a marketing flaw. Washable formulas use water-soluble dyes that sacrifice some pigment saturation and lightfastness in exchange for cleaning up with soap and water — colors may look slightly less vivid and can fade faster on display. For students under about ten, that sacrifice is almost always correct, because the cost of ruined clothes and classroom carpets outweighs color depth. For middle school and older students doing work they want to keep or display, standard formulas like the Artecho oil pastels deliver noticeably richer blending and layering. The decision really comes down to whether the artwork is for practice or for keeping.
How many colors does a student actually need?
Fewer than packaging suggests, and this is where budget discipline pays off. Younger students do creative work with 12 to 24 colors; beyond that, additional colors mostly teach patience-free color selection rather than color mixing. Older students benefit from larger ranges — 36 to 48 colored pencils or pastels — but only once they’re blending and layering deliberately, because subtle shade differences are invisible without those techniques. The 100-count marker sets are better understood as convenience (the exact color you want is always there) than as a quality upgrade. If budget forces a choice, put the money into better pigment in a smaller set rather than more mediocre colors.
Is air dry clay worth buying for a student, and what else does it need?
Air dry clay earns its place because it adds a sculptural dimension that flat drawing supplies can’t, and it requires no oven or kiln — finished pieces simply harden in the open air over a day or two. It’s an especially good fit for students who don’t gravitate toward drawing, since many kids who resist paper will happily build in three dimensions. The catch is that it usually needs supporting supplies: basic sculpting tools (a popsicle stick works), acrylic paint for finishing dried pieces, and sealant if the creations should last. A five-pound tub serves one enthusiastic student for several months, but clay that dries out in storage is the most common complaint, so buy smaller amounts unless the student is committed. Keep the tub sealed tightly and it stays workable much longer.
What’s the smartest way to buy art supplies for a classroom or multiple kids?
Buy shared bulk consumables and individual quality tools. Paper, crayons, and markers are the right categories for bulk because they’re used up and universal — the Crayola bulk crayon 24-packs and 480-sheet construction paper case are built exactly for this and drop per-student costs to pennies. Assign each student their own marker set rather than a community pot, because shared markers spread germs and the caps always go missing. Shop in late summer when school-supply pricing peaks, and buy a full year of paper at once but only a semester of markers, which dry out if stored too long. Finally, avoid bulk “art kits” — those are priced for gift appeal, not per-student economics.
Conclusion
The right choice here depends almost entirely on who’s holding the supplies. For the best overall pick, the Caliart 176PCS Sketching Kit wins because it combines a full range of mediums with an included sketch book, making it complete the moment it’s unboxed. For best value, the Crayola 36-count colored pencils and Super Tips 100-count markers deliver the most usable art per dollar for solo students. The best premium option is the TMOL 175-Pack Deluxe Art Set, whose wooden case and organized layout make it a strong gift for a student who takes art seriously. Best for beginners and young children goes to the Crayola Broad Line markers and bulk crayon packs — washable, safe, and nearly indestructible under rough handling. Older students ready to develop technique should get the Artecho 48-color oil pastels, and anyone wanting to add a sculptural dimension should round out their kit with Crayola Air Dry Clay. Teachers shopping for volume should go straight to the bulk construction paper, crayon, and marker packs, which exist precisely for their situation.
