Shopping for art supplies for students usually comes down to one big tradeoff: buy a giant all-in-one kit that covers everything, or buy individual staples like markers, crayons, and glue sticks that actually get used week after week. After comparing 14 popular options, the Prina 76 Pack Drawing Set stands out as my best overall pick because it bundles quality sketching tools with a sketchbook and tutorials at a student-friendly price. For younger students, the Crayola Super Tips 100-Count Marker Set offers unmatched color variety and washability, while the TMOL 175-Pack Deluxe Art Set is the premium choice for teens who want a complete studio in a wooden case. Budget shoppers and classroom buyers will find bulk options like Crayola crayons and construction paper deliver the lowest cost per use. Keep reading for the full ranking, including who each product is for and which ones to skip.
Key Takeaways
- All-in-one kits (Prina, Caliart, TMOL) won the top spots because they cover multiple mediums in a single purchase, but they only make sense for students who will actually use most of the included tools.
- Crayola dominates the individual-supply category: its Super Tips markers, colored pencils, and bulk crayons consistently beat cheaper off-brands on pigment quality and washability at the same price.
- Classroom buyers should prioritize bulk packaging — the Crayola 24-pack crayon box and 480-sheet construction paper pack cut per-student costs dramatically compared with standard retail packs.
- Glue sticks showed the widest quality gap in this lineup; Elmer’s Disappearing Purple 12-count beats the 30-count All Purpose pack for younger students because the purple visibility reduces mess and wasted glue.
- The Caliart 176-piece kit includes more pieces than the Prina 76-pack for a similar price, but Prina ranks higher because its tutorial guide and sketchbook make it far better for beginners learning fundamentals.
| Crayola Super Tips Marker Set (100ct), Washable Fine Point Markers for Kids & Adults |  | Best Overall | Quantity: 100 markers | Colors: 100 assorted colors | Tip Type: Fine point, capable of thick or thin lines | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Prina 76 Pack Drawing Set Sketching Kit with Sketchbook and Tutorial for Artists, Beginners, Teens, Adults |  | Best for Beginners | Pieces: 76 total | Sketchbook Size: 6 x 9 inches | Sketchbook Pages: 50 (30 white, 10 toned tan, 10 black) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Mr. Sketch Scented Stix Scented Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 22 Count |  | Best for Young Kids’ Engagement | Count: 22 markers | Colors: 22 assorted colors | Tip Type: Chisel | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Caliart 176PCS Art Supplies Sketching Kit with 100 Sheets 3-Color Sketch Book |  | Best Value Mega-Set | Total Pieces: 176 | Pencil Types: Graphite, colored, watercolor, charcoal, white charcoal, metallic | Pencil Quantities: 12 each (graphite, colored, watercolor, charcoal, metallic), 3 white charcoal | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Construction Paper Bulk Pack (480 Sheets) – 10 Assorted Colors, 9×12, Classroom Art Supplies |  | Best Classroom Foundation Supply | Quantity: 480 sheets | Colors: 10 assorted colors | Sheet Size: 9 x 12 inches | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, Washable, 6 Grams, 12 Count |  | Best Glue Sticks for Young Students | Stick Weight: 6 grams | Quantity: 12 sticks | Application Color: Purple going on, dries clear | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Crayons Bulk (24 Packs of 24 Colors) |  | Best Bulk Buy for Classrooms | Number of Packs: 24 boxes | Colors per Pack: 24 | Total Crayons: 576 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Air Dry Clay (5 lbs), Natural White Modeling Clay |  | Best for 3D Sculpting Projects | Weight: 5 lbs | Color: Natural White | Material: Air dry clay | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Colored Pencils (36 count) |  | Best Colored Pencils for Schoolwork | Quantity: 36 pencils | Condition: Presharpened | Suitable Ages: 3 and up (kids and adults) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Elmer’s All Purpose School Glue Sticks, 30 Count, 7g each |  | Best Value Glue for Heavy Users | Quantity: 30 sticks | Weight per Stick: 7 grams | Type: All purpose school glue sticks | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Artecho Oil Pastels Set of 48 Colors |  | Best for Learning Color Blending | Number of Colors: 48 | Pastel Size: 70 mm x 10 mm | Material: Oil pastel | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Bulk Colored Pencils for Kids (24 Packs, 12 Colors) |  | Best Bulk Buy for Classrooms | Quantity: 24 packs | Colors per Pack: 12 | Total Pencils: 288 | 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, sandpaper block, eraser, drawing pads | Case Material: Wood | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Crayola Broad Line Markers (12-pack), Assorted Colors for Kids and Classroom Use |  | Best Classroom Marker Stock | Number of Packs: 12 | Markers per Pack: 10 | Total Markers: 120 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Crayola Super Tips Marker Set (100ct), Washable Fine Point Markers for Kids & Adults
This 100-count set earns the top spot because it solves the widest range of student art needs in a single purchase. The fine tips that flex between thick and thin lines mean one marker handles coloring, note decoration, and hand-lettering practice, which the Crayola Broad Line Markers (12-pack) simply cannot match — those are one-trick markers for bold fills. Compared with the Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, this set trades novelty for sheer color range, giving students far more realistic shading and blending options for school projects. The washable, non-toxic formula matters most for younger students whose work ends up on skin and clothes. The tradeoffs are real, though: there is no storage case, so 100 loose markers will scatter quickly in a backpack, and casual users may find the bulk wasteful.
Pros:- 100 colors give serious range for shading, lettering, and detailed school projects
- Washable and non-toxic, so messes on skin and clothes clean up easily
- Versatile tips produce both thick and thin lines from a single marker
- Suitable for a wide age range, from young kids to adults doing bullet journaling
Cons:- No storage case included, making organization difficult at this quantity
- Far more markers than a casual or single-student household needs
Best for: Elementary through middle school students and teachers who want maximum color variety in one washable, classroom-safe set
Not ideal for: Students focused on drawing and shading rather than coloring — a pencil set like the Prina 76 Pack is a better fit
- Quantity:100 markers
- Colors:100 assorted colors
- Tip Type:Fine point, capable of thick or thin lines
- Washable:Yes
- Safety:Non-toxic
- Age Range:3 years and up
Our verdict“If a family or classroom buys only one art supply this year, this marker set delivers the broadest usable color range for the money.”
Prina 76 Pack Drawing Set Sketching Kit with Sketchbook and Tutorial for Artists, Beginners, Teens, Adults
Where the Crayola Super Tips Markers excel at color, this set targets a different skill entirely: foundational drawing technique. The inclusion of a 7-step drawing tutorial is what separates it from bigger kits like the Caliart 176PCS set — a beginner actually learns shading, layering, and structure instead of staring at a pile of tools. The 3-tone sketchbook (white, tan, and black pages) teaches students how paper color changes a drawing, something standard white-paper pads never address. That said, the tradeoff for this focus is variety: 76 pieces is modest next to Caliart’s 176, and there’s no marker or paint coverage here at all. The 6×9 inch sketchbook also limits students to small studies rather than finished portfolio pieces.
Pros:- Includes a structured 7-step tutorial that turns supplies into actual lessons
- Three paper tones encourage experimentation with light and shadow
- Portable case keeps everything organized for school or travel
- Non-toxic, eco-friendly materials safe for teen users
Cons:- Tool variety can feel overwhelming without a teacher’s guidance
- 6×9 inch sketchbook is too small for serious or large-format work
- No color media beyond graphite, limiting mixed-media projects
Best for: Teens and adults new to drawing who want guided instruction and quality basics rather than a overwhelming mega-kit
Not ideal for: Young elementary students — the pencil grades and blending tools assume patience and fine motor control they may not have yet
- Pieces:76 total
- Sketchbook Size:6 x 9 inches
- Sketchbook Pages:50 (30 white, 10 toned tan, 10 black)
- Media Types:Graphite, charcoal, blending tools, brushes
- Tutorial:7-step drawing guide included
- Material Safety:Non-toxic, eco-friendly
- Portability:Zippered carrying case
Our verdict“This is the smartest starting point for a student who wants to learn to draw, not just own art supplies.”
Mr. Sketch Scented Stix Scented Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 22 Count
These markers fill a role the precision-focused options can’t: making art fun for reluctant young creators. The scented, chisel-tip design turns coloring time into a multi-sensory activity, which is why they remain a classroom favorite for early learners. Compared with the Crayola Super Tips 100ct set, this set sacrifices color range dramatically — 22 colors versus 100 — but for a five-year-old, cherry-scented red beats a nuanced palette every time. The chisel tips also produce bold, satisfying strokes better suited to posters and big shapes than the Super Tips’ fine lines. The honest tradeoffs: older students will outgrow the gimmick quickly, and AP certification for ages 3+ doesn’t change the fact that these are a supplementary fun item, not a core art supply.
Pros:- Scented ink actively engages young children who lose interest in standard markers
- Chisel tips create bold lines ideal for posters and large coloring areas
- AP certified non-toxic with an easy-grip cylinder design for small hands
Cons:- Only 22 colors, far fewer than competing sets
- The novelty wears off as kids age, shortening the set’s useful lifespan
Best for: Parents and preschool-to-early-elementary teachers who want to spark enthusiasm in kids who resist traditional art activities
Not ideal for: Students over about age 10 — the scents read as babyish and the 22-color range limits serious projects
- Count:22 markers
- Colors:22 assorted colors
- Tip Type:Chisel
- Feature:Scented ink
- Safety Certification:AP certified non-toxic
- Age Range:3 years and up
Our verdict“A fun-side purchase for young kids, best paired with — not replacing — a larger core marker set.”
Caliart 176PCS Art Supplies Sketching Kit with 100 Sheets 3-Color Sketch Book
This kit is the quantity play of the roundup: 176 pieces plus a 100-sheet, three-tone sketchbook for roughly what smaller sets cost. Compared directly with the Prina 76 Pack, the appeal is obvious — more than double the tools, including watercolor pencils, metallic pencils, and a water brush pen that let students experiment with mixed media Prina doesn’t offer. The travel case makes it genuinely portable for students who draw between classes. But that abundance is the tradeoff: quality is inconsistent across 176 pieces, and a beginner may feel swamped rather than inspired — Prina’s tutorial-driven approach teaches skills where Caliart just supplies volume. It’s also strictly dry-media focused, so students wanting markers still need something like the Crayola Super Tips alongside it.
Pros:- 176 pieces covering graphite, colored, watercolor, charcoal, and metallic media
- 100-sheet three-tone sketchbook means months of paper without repurchasing
- Lightweight zippered case makes it genuinely travel-ready
- Includes blending stumps, sandpaper block, and pencil extender for advanced technique
Cons:- Individual pencil quality is uneven at this piece count
- Sheer variety can overwhelm beginners who don’t know where to start
- Dry-media only, with no markers or paints for colorful projects
Best for: Budget-conscious students or gift-givers who want the most tools and paper per dollar for experimentation
Not ideal for: Beginners who need guidance rather than volume — without instruction, most of these pieces will sit unused
- Total Pieces:176
- Pencil Types:Graphite, colored, watercolor, charcoal, white charcoal, metallic
- Pencil Quantities:12 each (graphite, colored, watercolor, charcoal, metallic), 3 white charcoal
- Sketchbook Sheets:100
- Sketchbook Colors:3 (white, tan, black)
- Sketchbook Size:6 x 9 inches
- Accessories:Blending stumps, water brush pen, eraser, sharpener, pencil extender, sandpaper block, paint brush
- Portability:Lightweight travel case
Our verdict“The best price-to-quantity ratio here for a student who already enjoys drawing and wants room to experiment.”
Crayola Construction Paper Bulk Pack (480 Sheets) – 10 Assorted Colors, 9×12, Classroom Art Supplies
Every other product in this roundup is a tool; this one is the surface everything else depends on. For teachers and homeschooling parents, 480 sheets of heavy-duty construction paper is the base layer of countless projects — collages, cutouts, cards, and painted works. Compared with the Caliart sketchbook, this pack wins on sheer volume and per-sheet cost, and the 10-color assortment supports color-themed lessons a plain white pad can’t. Pairing it with the Crayola Super Tips markers or Elmer’s glue sticks covers most K-6 craft curriculum in one order. The tradeoffs: 9×12 inches is the only size, so larger posters require taping sheets together, and unlike sketch paper, construction paper is too rough and fibrous for detailed pencil or marker drawings. It’s a craft staple, not a drawing surface.
Pros:- 480 sheets covers a full school year of classroom craft projects
- Heavy-duty weight holds up to glue, paint, and cutting without tearing
- 10 vibrant colors support themed lessons and seasonal projects
- Lowest per-sheet cost of any paper option in this roundup
Cons:- Fixed 9×12 size limits larger projects and posters
- Rough texture makes it poor for detailed drawing or marker work
- No recycled or eco-friendly material claims
Best for: Teachers, homeschoolers, and large families running regular craft projects who burn through paper fast
Not ideal for: Students doing detailed drawing or sketching — the fibrous texture fights fine lines, so a sketchbook serves better
- Quantity:480 sheets
- Colors:10 assorted colors
- Sheet Size:9 x 12 inches
- Material:Heavy-duty construction paper
- Intended Use:Classroom crafts, cutouts, collage
Our verdict“The bulk-buy backbone of any classroom craft cabinet — just don’t expect it to double as drawing paper.”
Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, Washable, 6 Grams, 12 Count
Glue is where most school craft projects go wrong, and the disappearing purple formula solves the single biggest problem kids face: not knowing where they’ve already glued. The color goes on visible and dries completely clear, which means fewer misplaced pieces and less frustration during classroom assignments. Compared with the Elmer’s All Purpose 30-pack, this set trades quantity for kid-friendly visibility — a worthwhile swap for elementary students who are still developing fine motor control. Like that larger set, it’s washable, non-toxic, and photo safe, so it works on science fair boards and family photo projects without worry. The tradeoff is capacity: at 6 grams per stick, ambitious collage projects will burn through sticks quickly, and this is strictly a paper-and-foam-board adhesive. Anything heavier needs liquid glue.
Pros:- Purple color shows exactly where glue is applied before drying clear
- Washable and non-toxic, safe for young children
- Bonds well to paper, cardboard, foam, and display boards
- Photo safe and acid-free for scrapbook and poster projects
Cons:- Only 6 grams per stick, so heavy users go through them fast
- Not strong enough for heavy-duty or non-porous materials
Best for: Elementary students and parents stocking a young child’s school supply box who want mess-free, visible-application gluing
Not ideal for: Middle and high schoolers tackling heavy 3D projects — the small stick size and weak bond won’t hold foam or fabric reliably
- Stick Weight:6 grams
- Quantity:12 sticks
- Application Color:Purple going on, dries clear
- Bonding Surfaces:Paper, cardboard, foam board, display board
- Safety:Washable, non-toxic, acid-free
- Photo Safe:Yes
Our verdict“The disappearing purple formula makes this the smartest glue stick choice for younger students who need visual guidance while gluing.”
Crayola Crayons Bulk (24 Packs of 24 Colors)
For teachers and homeschool parents buying at scale, per-student cost matters more than anything else, and this case of 24 individual boxes drives it down dramatically. Every student gets their own boxed set of 24 colors, which eliminates the sharing disputes that come with communal supply tubs. The 24-color range per box covers the standard elementary palette — enough for maps, coloring sheets, and seasonal crafts. Compared with the Crayola Bulk Colored Pencils 24-pack, crayons are the better pick for younger grades because they require no sharpening and glide with minimal pressure. The obvious tradeoff: this is a serious commitment of quantity. A single family with one child will be storing excess boxes for years, and the color selection repeats identically across every box, so there’s nothing new to discover beyond box one.
Pros:- Lowest per-student cost of any color option in this roundup
- Individual boxes prevent sharing conflicts and germs
- 24 colors per box covers standard school project needs
- Crayola quality with consistent, smooth color laydown
Cons:- Massive quantity is impractical for single-family use
- Identical color selection in every box offers no variety
Best for: Teachers, homeschool co-ops, and childcare centers supplying whole classrooms on a budget
Not ideal for: Families with one or two children — 24 boxes is far more than a household will realistically use
- Number of Packs:24 boxes
- Colors per Pack:24
- Total Crayons:576
- Color Range:Apricot through Yellow Orange, including Bluetiful, Cerulean, and Scarlet
- Brand:Crayola
- Intended Use:Classrooms, homeschool, group activities
Our verdict“If you’re equipping a full classroom, this bulk case beats every retail-packaged alternative on price per student.”
Crayola Air Dry Clay (5 lbs), Natural White Modeling Clay
Most items in this roundup are flat-media supplies, and this is the only one that adds a sculptural dimension to a student’s toolkit. The 5-pound bucket gives a classroom or sibling group enough material for multiple projects, and the natural white surface doubles as a paintable canvas once dry — pair it with any watercolor or tempera set for finished, display-worthy pieces. Unlike modeling dough, this clay supports genuine hand-building techniques like coil and slab work, making it suitable for actual art curriculum units. The catch is patience: pieces need a full air-dry window before handling or painting, and improperly sealed leftover clay will crack and harden. It also can’t be kiln-fired, so serious ceramics students will outgrow it. Compared with the Caliart or TMOL all-in-one kits, this is narrower in scope but deeper in what it teaches.
Pros:- 5-pound bulk supply supports many students or repeated projects
- Softens with water for easy shaping by young hands
- Paintable surface allows detailed finishing after drying
- Resealable bucket keeps unused clay workable
Cons:- Requires significant air-drying time before painting or handling
- Can crack if stored or dried improperly
- Not compatible with kiln firing for permanent ceramics
Best for: Art teachers and parents running sculpture units who want real clay techniques without kiln access
Not ideal for: Kids who want instant results — overnight drying times and cracking risk will frustrate impatient makers
- Weight:5 lbs
- Color:Natural White
- Material:Air dry clay
- Drying Method:Air dry only (no kiln)
- Finish Compatibility:Paintable once dry
- Storage:Resealable bucket
Our verdict“The best pick for bringing true 3D sculpting into a student art program, provided everyone involved has patience for drying time.”
Crayola Colored Pencils (36 count)
When schoolwork shifts from coloring to shading, blending, and labeled diagrams, crayons stop being adequate — and that’s where this 36-color set earns its place. The expanded palette includes the subtle skin tones and secondary hues that a 24-pack misses, which matters for portrait practice, science illustrations, and detailed coloring books. Because they arrive presharpened, the set is usable straight from the box on day one of school. Compared with the Crayola Bulk Colored Pencils (12 colors), this set is the better single-student choice: more colors, same durability, still affordable. Against the Prina 76-piece sketching kit, the tradeoff is clear — no sketchbook, no tutorial, no charcoal or graphite — just solid colored pencil performance for everyday assignments. Serious art students will eventually want a wider range, and there are no accessories included, but for standard school use, the gaps rarely matter.
Pros:- 36 colors including skin tones and subtle blends missing from smaller sets
- Presharpened and ready for the first day of school
- Durable cores resist breaking under heavy student use
- Appropriate for both kids and adults
Cons:- 36 colors falls short of professional artist needs
- No sharpener, case, or accessories included
Best for: Students from upper elementary through high school who need one reliable colored pencil set for homework, diagrams, and hobby coloring
Not ideal for: Aspiring fine artists who need 72+ colors and blendable artist-grade cores for advanced technique work
- Quantity:36 pencils
- Condition:Presharpened
- Suitable Ages:3 and up (kids and adults)
- Use Cases:Coloring, school activities, creative projects
- Brand:Crayola
- Type:Student-grade colored pencils
Our verdict“The most practical single-set colored pencil purchase for everyday schoolwork, sitting in the sweet spot between price and palette size.”
Elmer’s All Purpose School Glue Sticks, 30 Count, 7g each
Where the Disappearing Purple 12-pack prioritizes visibility for young kids, this 30-count box prioritizes raw value and staying power — more sticks, slightly more glue per stick (7 grams vs. 6), and a lower cost per unit for anyone buying at volume. The application is smooth and dries fast without clumping, which keeps poster boards and reports looking clean rather than lumpy. Because the sticks are acid-free and photo safe, they’re equally at home on display projects and scrapbook pages. Older students who already know how much glue to apply won’t miss the purple indicator, making this the smarter pick for middle school supply lists. Two honest limits: these are still small-format sticks unsuited to large-format mounting, and very smooth non-porous surfaces like plastic or glossy laminate will shed their bond. For paper-based schoolwork, though, that rarely comes up.
Pros:- 30-stick count offers the lowest cost per stick in this roundup
- Slightly larger 7-gram sticks outlast standard 6-gram options
- Washable, acid-free, and photo safe for archival projects
- Applies smoothly and dries quickly without clumps
Cons:- Small stick format limits use to small and medium projects
- Weak adhesion on non-porous or glossy surfaces
Best for: Parents buying middle and high school supply lists, plus teachers stocking a classroom glue drawer for the full year
Not ideal for: Crafters working with plastic, metal, or glossy surfaces — the adhesive won’t hold on non-porous materials
- Quantity:30 sticks
- Weight per Stick:7 grams
- Type:All purpose school glue sticks
- Drying:Quick-drying, clear finish
- Features:Washable, acid-free, photo safe
- Bonding Surfaces:Paper, cardboard, foam board
Our verdict“The volume glue buy for households and classrooms that burn through sticks all year and don’t need the purple visibility feature.”
Artecho Oil Pastels Set of 48 Colors
Most student art kits include oil pastels as an afterthought, so buying a dedicated set changes what kids can actually learn. This option stands out for its richly pigmented colors and smooth, blendable texture, which makes shading and layering techniques achievable in a way the generic pastels inside the TMOL 175-pack simply can’t match. The slim 70 mm sticks are easy for small hands to control, and each one comes in a protective sleeve that keeps fingers cleaner than sleeveless alternatives.
The tradeoff is fragility: these pastels break if handled roughly, so very young or heavy-handed students may go through them quickly. And unlike the Crayola bulk classroom packs, this is a single set — one student, not twenty.
Pros:- Vibrant, richly pigmented colors that blend smoothly
- Individual protective sleeves keep hands clean
- Slim sticks are comfortable for detailed work
- Non-toxic and safe for all ages
Cons:- Sticks break easily with rough handling
- Single set is impractical for group or classroom use
Best for: Middle school and high school students learning blending and shading techniques who want quality beyond a starter kit
Not ideal for: Teachers stocking a whole classroom — one 48-color set doesn’t stretch across many students
- Number of Colors:48
- Pastel Size:70 mm x 10 mm
- Material:Oil pastel
- Non-Toxic:Yes
- Skill Level:All skill levels
- Set Type:Individual student set
Our verdict“A smart upgrade for one serious student ready to move past the generic pastels bundled in all-in-one kits.”
Crayola Bulk Colored Pencils for Kids (24 Packs, 12 Colors)
This is the classroom teacher’s workhorse. Twenty-four individual packs of twelve pre-sharpened pencils means every student gets their own set — no sharing disputes, no communal pencil cup chaos. Compared with the Crayola Colored Pencils 36-count single box, this pack sacrifices color range for distribution practicality, and for a room of 24 kids that’s the right trade.
The durable cores survive being dropped, lent out, and sharpened by enthusiastic eight-year-olds, and arriving pre-sharpened saves a genuinely surprising amount of setup time on day one. The catch: twelve basic colors limits shading and mixing work, so older students doing serious projects will outgrow these fast.
Pros:- 24 separate packs enable one-per-student distribution
- Pre-sharpened for immediate classroom use
- Durable cores resist breakage from rough handling
- Recognizable Crayola color quality at bulk pricing
Cons:- Only 12 basic colors per pack limits creative range
- Bulk packaging is wasteful for a single child
Best for: Elementary school teachers and group leaders who need one pencil pack per student
Not ideal for: Individual students doing detailed artwork — a single 36-color set offers far more range for similar money per student
- Quantity:24 packs
- Colors per Pack:12
- Total Pencils:288
- Colors Included:Red, Red Orange, Orange, Yellow, Green, Yellow Green, Sky Blue, Blue, Purple, Black, Brown, White
- Pre-Sharpened:Yes
- Packaging:Bulk classroom pack
Our verdict“The most sensible colored pencil buy for classrooms of 20-plus students, and the wrong buy for anyone else.”
TMOL Art Supplies 175-Pack Deluxe Art Set with Wooden Case
When the goal is one box that covers everything, this 175-piece wooden case delivers: acrylic paints, watercolor cakes, oil pastels, colored pencils, drawing pencils, brushes, and even sketch pads. Compared with the Caliart 176-piece kit, the differentiator here is the sturdy wooden case, which keeps components sorted and makes the whole thing feel like a proper gift rather than a plastic tray of loose supplies.
The honest tradeoff is breadth over depth. Every medium is represented but none at a professional level — the oil pastels won’t match the Artecho 48-color set for blending, and the colored pencils won’t match a dedicated Crayola set. For a student still figuring out which medium they love, that sampling is a feature. For one who already knows, it’s redundancy.
Pros:- 175 pieces spanning paints, pastels, pencils, and brushes
- Attractive, durable wooden case keeps supplies organized
- Non-toxic and suitable for all ages
- Strong gift presentation out of the box
Cons:- Quality per medium is starter-level, not advanced
- Overwhelming volume of tools for young or new beginners
Best for: Gift-givers and students age 8 to teen who want to sample every medium before committing to one
Not ideal for: Students already focused on a single medium — dedicated sets in that medium will outperform this kit’s versions
- Number of Items:175
- Includes:Crayons, acrylic paints, oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor cakes, brushes, palettes, drawing pencils, sharpener, sandpaper block, eraser, drawing pads
- Case Material:Wood
- Safety:Non-toxic
- Skill Level:All levels
- Set Type:All-in-one deluxe kit
Our verdict“The best pick when you want to hand one student a complete art education in a single box — and accept that each medium is beginner-grade.”
Crayola Broad Line Markers (12-pack), Assorted Colors for Kids and Classroom Use
If your marker budget is going toward coverage rather than color count, this dozen-box bundle is hard to beat. Each of the twelve boxes holds ten broad-line markers, which means a classroom, camp, or daycare can hand out full sets without rationing. Compared with the Crayola Super Tips 100-count single box, the difference is structural: Super Tips give one student a huge palette, while this pack gives twelve students a functional one.
The durable broad tips hold up to heavy pressure from young artists and deliver bold coverage that fills large areas fast — something fine-point markers genuinely can’t do. The limitations are real, though: ten basic colors, no skin-tone range, and left-open caps still dry out like any marker.
Pros:- Twelve full boxes distribute easily across groups
- Durable broad tips withstand heavy use by young kids
- Non-toxic and safe for ages 3 and up
- Bold ink coverage fills large areas quickly
Cons:- Only ten basic colors per box with no specialty shades
- Excessive bulk for a single household
Best for: Teachers, daycare providers, and camp directors supplying markers to groups of young children
Not ideal for: Older students or detail-oriented artists who need fine tips and a wider color palette in one set
- Number of Packs:12
- Markers per Pack:10
- Total Markers:120
- Colors Included:Orange, Yellow, Brown, Violet, Red, Blue, Black, Pink, Gray, Green
- Tip Type:Broad line
- Ages:3+
- Non-Toxic:Yes
Our verdict“A group-supply purchase, not a personal one — buy it for the classroom, not the kid.”
How We Picked
My ranking is built around three questions a student buyer actually faces: does this kit or product cover what a school year demands, will it survive daily backpack abuse, and does the price per usable piece make sense? I weighted versatility heaviest — a product that covers drawing, coloring, and blending beats a single-medium product unless that single medium is exceptional. That logic is why multi-medium kits occupy the top three spots while individual staples like glue sticks and construction paper sit lower despite being excellent at their one job.
From there, I compared age-appropriateness, washability, pigment quality, and packaging durability. Washable formulas earned an edge for elementary students, while lightfastness and blending performance mattered more for middle and high school picks. Finally, I calculated rough value by dividing price by usable pieces, which penalized kits that pad their counts with cheap accessories. Products are ordered so a reader can stop reading as soon as they match their buyer type — student, parent, or teacher bulk-buying for a classroom.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Art Supplies For Students
Choosing art supplies for a student involves more than grabbing the biggest kit on the shelf. These are the factors that separate smart purchases from drawer clutter.Match the Medium to the Age and Curriculum
The most common mistake is buying supplies the student has no use for yet. A 175-piece set with oil pastels and blending stumps is wasted on a second grader who mostly needs crayons, glue, and construction paper, while a middle schooler in a drawing elective will outgrow a basic marker pack within a semester. Check what the class actually requires before buying anything — many teachers publish supply lists, and deviating from them usually means buying twice. Younger students benefit from washable, chunky tools that forgive mistakes, while older students need graded pencils, blendable pigment, and paper that can handle erasing and layering. When in doubt, buy depth in one medium rather than shallow coverage of ten.
Piece Count Is a Marketing Number, Not a Value Number
Manufacturers inflate kit sizes with low-cost fillers: cheap pencil sharpeners, erasers, sandpaper blocks, and duplicate shades of the same color. A 176-piece kit sounds better than a 76-piece kit until you realize half the pieces are accessories the student will rarely touch. The better math is cost per usable piece — markers, pencils, pastels, and paper. Bulk classroom packs often win this calculation outright, which is why a 24-box crate of crayons can be a better value than any deluxe kit. Before paying a premium for a big number, ask whether the extra pieces add capability or just count.
Washability Matters More Than You Think
For any student under ten, washability affects clothes, carpets, desks, and your relationship with the teacher. Crayola’s washable markers and most school-grade glue sticks are formulated to rinse out with cold water, while student-grade oil pastels and permanent-adjacent inks are not. Non-washable supplies aren’t automatically bad — Artecho’s oil pastels are excellent for older students — but they shift cleanup responsibility onto the user. Read the label for the words “washable” specifically; “non-toxic” only means the product is safe to touch or accidentally ingest, not that it comes out of a school uniform. Parents of younger kids should treat washability as a hard requirement, not a bonus.
Paper Quality Determines Whether Good Tools Go to Waste
Buyers obsess over markers and pencils while treating paper as an afterthought, but thin paper bleeds, warps, and tears — ruining even expensive supplies. Construction paper suits cut-and-paste projects but is wrong for markers; sketch paper suits graphite but buckles under wet media. Kits that include a real sketchbook, like the Prina and Caliart sets, save you a separate purchase and guarantee the included tools have a compatible surface. For classroom volume buyers, the 480-sheet construction pack only makes sense if the projects are collage-based. A rough rule: thin paper for crayons and pencils, heavier stock for markers, and mixed-media or bristol paper once a student gets serious.
Bulk Buying: When It Saves Money and When It Doesn’t
Teachers and parents of multiple kids should do the per-unit math, because bulk pricing is inconsistent across categories. Crayons, glue sticks, and construction paper show steep bulk discounts — a 24-pack crate of crayon boxes can cost less than half the retail per-box price. Markers and colored pencils show much smaller bulk savings, and some “bulk” marker packs just repack standard sets at a markup. Bulk also introduces a storage and shelf-life question: glue sticks dry out within a couple of years once opened, and markers can too, so don’t stockpile beyond what a school year will consume. The best bulk strategy is buying expendable staples in volume and buying quality tools individually.
Durability of Packaging and Tools
Student supplies live in backpacks, get dropped, and get shared. Cardboard boxes tear within weeks, which is why wooden-case kits and plastic tubs retain their value beyond the first month. Individual marker and pencil durability varies too — cheaper off-brand barrels crack and tips fray, forcing replacement that erases the initial savings. Colored pencils are the biggest casualty here: soft off-brand leads snap inside the barrel when sharpened, effectively killing the pencil. If a student is hard on their supplies, paying slightly more for a rigid case and a reputable brand costs less over a school year than replacing broken bargain tools twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy an all-in-one art kit or individual supplies for a student?
It depends on how the student actually creates. An all-in-one kit makes sense for beginners and exploratory students who haven’t settled on a favorite medium, since it lets them test drawing, coloring, and pastel work for less than buying each separately. Individual supplies are the smarter buy once a student shows a clear preference — a dedicated sketcher outgrows a generic kit’s mediocre pencils quickly. Kits also make better gifts and travel sets, while individual supplies integrate better with a specific class supply list. If budget allows only one purchase and the student’s interests are unknown, a mid-range kit like the Prina 76-pack is the safer bet.
Are expensive art sets worth it for school-age students?
Usually not before middle school. Younger students don’t have the technique to benefit from professional-grade pigment, and school projects rarely demand it — student-grade Crayola and Elmer’s products perform well for their intended use. The tipping point comes around grades 6–8, when students in art electives start noticing blending limitations, pencil gradation, and paper quality. At that stage, a premium set like the TMOL wooden case kit or a dedicated drawing set genuinely improves output. The bigger waste is buying professional supplies for a young child who treats them as ordinary coloring tools.
What’s the minimum supply list for a typical elementary school student?
Crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and a stack of construction paper cover nearly every elementary project a teacher assigns. That’s why this list includes those staples individually — most classroom supply lists name them specifically, and buying them à la carte is cheaper than a kit if you only need those items. A sketchbook is worth adding once a student draws voluntarily at home. Avoid over-buying specialty items like oil pastels or air dry clay unless the teacher requests them, since classrooms usually provide shared materials for messy projects.
How do I keep art supplies from drying out or breaking over the school year?
Storage discipline matters as much as the products themselves. Markers need to be stored horizontally so ink flows evenly to both ends of the tip, and caps must click fully closed — a partially capped marker dies within days. Glue sticks should be recapped immediately and stored upright; once they harden, they’re unrecoverable. Colored pencils last longest in a rigid case rather than loose in a backpack, where pressure snaps the leads inside the barrels. For bulk buyers, only open what a term will use, since sealed supplies stay fresh for years while opened ones degrade within months.
Is air dry clay a good buy for students, and how does it compare to other sculpting options?
Air dry clay is the most practical sculpting medium for home and classroom use because it needs no oven, no kiln, and no special storage while working. The tradeoff is that it dries out fast once opened — a 5-pound tub needs to be sealed tightly in plastic between sessions, and leftover clay left overnight becomes unusable. Finished pieces are fragile compared with baked polymer clay, so it’s better for practice and decorative projects than keepsakes. It suits students around age six and up with supervision, since thick pieces crack while drying unless shaped hollow or in stages. Buy it when a sculpting interest is confirmed rather than speculatively.
Conclusion
The right choice here depends entirely on who is doing the creating. For the best overall pick, the Prina 76 Pack Drawing Set balances quality, versatility, and price better than anything else in this lineup, with a tutorial guide that helps beginners improve rather than just consume supplies. The best value goes to the Crayola Super Tips 100-count markers for individual buyers, and to the Crayola bulk crayons and construction paper pack for teachers buying at classroom scale. If you want the best premium option, the TMOL 175-Pack Deluxe Art Set with its wooden case is the gift-worthy choice for a serious teen artist, while the Caliart 176-piece kit is the runner-up if budget is tighter.
For the best beginner setup, pair Crayola washable markers or crayons with construction paper and Elmer’s Disappearing Purple glue sticks — washable, forgiving, and exactly what elementary projects demand. For specific needs: the Artecho oil pastels for a student exploring color blending, the Crayola Air Dry Clay for sculpting projects, and the Mr. Sketch scented markers for teachers who know young kids engage more with sensory supplies. Whatever route you take, buy for the student in front of you, not the piece count on the box.
