Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers Are My FAVORITE Kids’ Art Supply. Here’s Why.
- Emma Tipping
- 18 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a parent trying to stock an art shelf without wasting money, Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers are the one supply I recommend to every family. They’re affordable, wildly versatile, and genuinely help kids learn real art skills. Here’s why these markers are indespensible, whether you're a kid or a professional artist!
The marker kids AND professional artists love
I have talked to many parents over the years about what trips them up when facilitating art at home with their young artists. Their number one question?
“What art supplies should I buy for my kid?”
Well, good news. I have the perfect go-to supply for your creative pantry. They are versatile, clean, inspiring, and genuinely helpful for teaching real art skills. What is it, you ask?
Crayola Washable Markers.
Also sold as “crayola ultra clean washable markers”, these babies are LEGIT. Even in my days working as a professional caricature artist, when I was training other creatives and working side-by-side with some of our country’s top artistic talent, Crayola kids’ markers were the one art supply that we all loved, without exception.
It sounds totally bananas, but it’s true. Over all the other amazing markers out there—everything from permanent inks to fancy brush tips to niche nib styles—this humble, inexpensive children’s art supply was always the favorite. My artists loved them SO much that we used to buy empty Crayola barrels and refill them with our own higher-quality ink. (I can’t write here what ink we used in these Franken-pens because… trade secrets… but trust me, they were wonderful.)
Since shifting into children’s book illustration and teaching kids’ art classes here in Santa Cruz, my love for these markers has only deepened. They’re versatile, they help kids learn real drawing skills, they work for a huge range of ages, the colors are beautiful, and they’re wonderfully affordable for families trying to stock their art shelves.
Take it from a professional artist and a kids’ art educator: Crayola Ultra Clean Washable
Markers deserve an exalted place in your creative pantry, stat.
Crayola Washable Markers Are EXCELLENT for Learning About Line Quality
Hands down, the thing I love MOST about these markers is the conical nib. That wide-but-precise shape makes it incredibly easy to teach kids line variation, one of the most foundational drawing skills, and one that most children aren’t introduced to until way, way too late.
Line quality is simply what the lines you draw look like.Things like:
Are they thick or thin?
Bold or tentative?
Smooth, heavy, delicate, expressive, scratchy?
Do they change weight as you move the marker?
Look at artists whose work is dominated by line, and you’ll see line quality masterfully executed. Kids are absolutely capable of learning this early, and the nib shape of these Crayola markers makes it intuitive, fun, and instantly accessible.
These washable markers Come in Gorgeous Colors (+ 1 tiny wrinkle 🤭)
I love the color range of these markers. They’re bright, bold, saturated, and immediately pleasing to the eye. I also love how you can grab different 10-marker sets and instantly get different palettes. Teaching kids the basics of the color wheel? Grab the Classics. Digging into tertiary colors? The Bright pack is my go-to. And if you pick up the Crayola Big 40 Box (my all-time favorite for coloring parties!), you get the full color buffet this line offers.
Another thing I appreciate is that Crayola gives you a solid variety of colors without overwhelming kids. I really dislike art supply sets that come with a million colors. It’s simply too much for kids to sort through intellectually at a time when they should be learning the basics—color theory, value, and how to actually wield their tools.
My only complaint is that Crayola doesn’t include many light-value colors in this line. Aside from the yellows, almost everything sits in the mid-to-dark range.
Luckily, I’ve found some easy workarounds:
Use a thin layer of crayon instead (my favorites are Crayola Jumbo Crayons, 16 pack)
Add a tiny amount of water for a watercolor effect
Borrow lighter colors from the Crayola Supertips line
Embrace white space (a real artistic technique!)
Do I wish these markers came in lighter shades? Yes. But honestly, all of these workarounds open the door to deeper lessons in color theory and material handling with kids. So it’s become a bit of a silver lining.
Crayola Ultra Washable Markers really ARE washable
Yes. Truly. Washable.
I tested them on my white cotton tablecloth, a fabric notorious for holding onto stains for dear life. The Crayola Ultra Washable ink came out completely. They also wash off skin easily, which every parent appreciates when you turn around for 3 seconds to pour a cup of coffee and your kid has tattooed their entire body 😬.
(Literally, how do these things happen so fast? It’s like their greatest skill is Supersonic Mischief.)
A Perfect Intro to Watercolor for Young Artists
Watercolor is one of the most beautiful mediums, but it is also one of the trickiest. Kids LOVE it, but they often get frustrated because traditional watercolor requires technique and patience.
Crayola Ultra Washable Markers offer a great on-ramp to teaching kids the basics of watercolor and color mixing, without having to deal with all the complexity of actual paint. I can’t tell you how excited kids get when we play with this technique in class.
Because the ink is water-soluble, kids can:
Add water to create natural washes
Spray lightly to get dreamy blooms
Blend colors without making instant mud
Experiment with color mixing in an approachable, easy format
I am such a massive fan of using Crayola washable markers for watercolor work, that I designed a painting set with a local ceramics artist for this exact technique. Every single kid, without fail, loves it. And they learn a ton about color mixing, water to pigment ratios, dry vs wet, and more.
With a pack of markers, thick paper, a spray bottle, and a little guidance, you can use Crayola washable markers to make gorgeous watercolor-style projects that feel magical.
Affordable AND High Quality (A Rare Combo)
One of the things I appreciate most about Crayola is their commitment to making high-quality art materials that families can actually afford. Parents today are drowning in cheap, flimsy products that break or disappoint immediately. These markers are not that.
They’re sturdy, reliable, beautifully pigmented, versatile, and priced so that all kids—not just the ones with large disposable-income households—can make real art at home.
And I’ll say this clearly:I do NOT promote any art supply I don’t personally adore and use myself. Crayola Ultra Washable Markers easily make the “Emma’s Favorites” list.
Pair Beautifully With Crayola Model Magic (Hello, 3-D Art!)
Another thing I respect about Crayola is that they take product development seriously. Their materials are designed to work well together, which makes mixed-media exploration totally accessible for young artists.
Crayola Ultra Washable Markers + Model Magic = Deep 3-D art learning.
With this pairing, kids can:
Draw directly on sculptures
Blend colors right on the clay
Explore color mixing in THREE dimensions
Apply color-wheel knowledge while sculpting
Develop 2-D and 3-D art skills simultaneously
This combination shows up constantly in my Art, Milk & Cookies classes because it’s both kid-friendly AND genuinely rich from an art-education perspective.
These Washable Markers Have Serious Charisma
One of my personal theories about kids’ art supplies is that they need charisma—that “ooh, pick me!” quality that makes kids actually want to make art. No charisma = unused materials = sad, abandoned art bin.
These markers have charisma in abundance:
Eye-catching colors
Pleasing proportions
A good hand-feel
Smooth, satisfying lines
The instant gratification kids love
As long as they’re organized (because even the most charismatic tool dies in the chaos of an unorganized bin), kids will return to these markers over and over again.
Surprisingly Great Packaging
Packaging for kids’ art supplies is such an overlooked but crucial factor. What good is a great art material if you can’t open it easily, put it away, or keep it intact for more than 48 hours?
I genuinely like Crayola’s packaging for this product because:
It’s easy to open
Easy for kids to manage
Shows off the colors clearly
Has enough durability to survive normal life
Would I prefer something sturdier than thin cardboard? Sure. But then the price goes up, and we risk ending up with a hard-plastic case that outlives us by a thousand years. A little packing tape extends the life of the box beautifully.
Also, the Crayola Big 40 set stands up on its own and with a little noodling, instantly turns into the perfect Coloring Party art supply. Hello birthday party art table!
Final Thoughts: Crayola Ultra Washable Markers Belong in Every Family’s Creative Pantry
At the end of the day, I love these markers for the same reason kids love them:they make art feel possible.
They meet kids exactly where they are, while also gently leveling them up in real artistic skills. Line quality, color mixing, watercolor effects, mixed media… all of it.
And from a professional standpoint?I use them constantly. In my sketchbooks. In planning notes. In lessons. In demonstrations. In almost everything.
They’re one of the rare children’s art supplies that manages to be:
trustworthy
inspiring
versatile
beautifully designed
and accessible for all families
If your goal is to raise a child who feels joyful, confident, bold, and connected to the lifelong practice of making art… these markers absolutely help light that path.
They did for me.They do for my students. And honestly? That’s the highest praise I can give any art material.
FAQs About Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers
1. Are Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers good for beginners?
Yes! These markers are excellent for beginners because the conical nib makes line variation intuitive. Kids can make thick, thin, bold, and delicate lines with one tool, which builds real drawing skills early.
2. What age are Crayola washable markers best for?
I use them with ages 2–12 (and honestly, adults love them too). Toddlers can grip them easily, preschoolers learn line quality naturally, and older kids can do mixed-media and watercolor-style projects with fantastic results.
3. Do Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers really wash out of clothes?
Yes. The “Ultra Clean” formula truly is washable — they come out of cotton, skin, walls, tables, and most porous surfaces with water and mild soap. I’ve even tested them on a white tablecloth, and they washed out completely.
4. Can you use Crayola washable markers for watercolor art?
Absolutely! These markers are water-soluble, which means you can add water to create washes, blends, blooms, and color-mixing effects. It’s one of my favorite ways to introduce kids to watercolor without overwhelming them.
5. What’s the difference between Crayola Washable Markers and Crayola Supertips?
The main difference is the nib shape.
Ultra Clean Washable Markers have a conical tip that’s perfect for learning line quality.
Supertips have a finer point and include more light-value colors. I like both of these markers but if you're looking for just one set to have at home, go for the larger washable markers!
6. Why do professional artists like Crayola markers?
Surprisingly, many professional illustrators love them for their smooth lines, bold saturation, and reliable nib shape. They’re also affordable, refillable (yes, pros do this!), and great for fast sketching and line work.
7. Do Crayola washable markers come in light colors?
Not many. Most colors sit in the mid-to-dark value range. For lighter colors, I recommend pairing them with crayons, the Supertips line, or using water to dilute the pigment for a soft wash effect.
8. Are Crayola markers non-toxic and safe for kids?
Yes! Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers are AP-certified non-toxic, which means they’re safe for young children to use at home, in classrooms, or in art kits.
9. How long do Crayola washable markers last?
With normal use and lids clicked on tightly, they last a surprisingly long time. The nibs stay firm, the ink doesn’t dry out quickly, and the barrels hold up well to everyday kid chaos.
10. What paper works best with Crayola washable markers?
For everyday drawing, standard marker paper or cardstock works great. For watercolor-style projects, use thick mixed-media paper, card stock or watercolor paper so it can handle water without warping.
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