6 Best Non-Toxic Crayons for Kids
I originally wrote this post over a decade ago on a different blog and wanted to updated it to share here. My kids are teenagers now but I know how important it was for me to find natural non-toxic crayons for them.
When my kids were little, I thought I was doing everything right by buying “non-toxic” Crayola crayons. The label gave me peace of mind, and like most parents, I assumed they were completely safe. But after noticing my youngest constantly breaking out in rashes — and smelling that strange chemical scent every time the crayons came out — I started digging. What I found shocked me.
Crayola’s website reassures parents that their products have been “safe since 1903” and contain “no known toxic substances in sufficient quantities to be harmful.” That sounds comforting — until you break down what it really means. Essentially: yes, there are toxic ingredients in crayons, just not enough (according to them) to trigger a toxic label. They even direct concerned parents to call poison control for a list of ingredients. I did exactly that — and was told the ingredient list wasn’t available.
So what’s really in Crayola crayons? Paraffin wax. Paraffin is a petroleum byproduct, the same stuff used in cheap candles, processed with chemicals like toluene and benzene — both linked to health concerns when inhaled. Studies on paraffin candles have shown they can emit these toxic chemicals into the air, so it’s not a stretch to assume crayons made with the same base could pose risks, especially for kids who spend hours coloring (and sometimes chewing on them).
Add to that: paraffin takes decades (even up to 100 years) to break down in landfills. It’s not healthy for our kids, and it’s not healthy for the planet.
What Science Says Today (2020–2025 Research)
Fast forward to today, and more research has come out — some reassuring, some raising even more red flags:
Medical experts say crayons are “safe but not harmless.” According to Cleveland Clinic (2023) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, crayons are generally considered non-toxic and won’t cause more than mild stomach upset if eaten. But choking is a bigger hazard — and “non-toxic” doesn’t mean risk-free.
Heavy metals are still turning up. A 2022 study tested crayons and colored pencils from 10 brands and found arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel in some products. While most were under regulatory limits, saliva tests showed these metals could leach into a child’s mouth — meaning the risk grows with repeated exposure.
Asbestos hasn’t completely disappeared. In the early 2000s, asbestos contamination was found in some crayons, and by 2015, the Environmental Working Group reported asbestos fibers in four out of 28 crayon boxes. While major brands claim to have reformulated, dollar-store crayons and low-cost imports are still flagged by watchdog groups as questionable.
Lead is within toy standards, but not food standards. Crayola and other brands meet the U.S. toy safety limit (90 ppm of lead). But since young kids put crayons in their mouths, many experts argue crayons should meet food-grade limits, which are much stricter. There’s even a documented case of a toddler with lead poisoning linked to crayons.
Parents are driving change. The global market for non-toxic crayons is booming — valued at $200 million in 2023 and projected to reach $350 million by 2032. Families want safer, eco-conscious options, and companies are responding with plant-based and beeswax-based alternatives.
The Problem with “Non-Toxic” Labels
The word “non-toxic” can be misleading. In the U.S., it doesn’t mean free from harmful substances — it just means the product isn’t expected to cause immediate harm in small amounts. That doesn’t account for long-term exposure, inhalation, or the cumulative effect of low-level toxins.
And when I pressed crayon manufacturers directly, I learned how much wordplay goes into their marketing. For example, a brand may say their crayons are “made with 100% beeswax” — which sounds like they’re all beeswax. But in reality, they’re mostly paraffin wax with a little beeswax added. “Made with” and “made from” are not the same thing.
6 Non-toxic Crayon Options
Thankfully, there are truly natural options out there today to choose from:
Eco-Kids Jumbo Crayons (USA) – made from beeswax and natural pigments.
Honey Sticks (New Zealand) – 100% pure beeswax, colored with food-grade pigments.
Wee Can Too Veggie Crayons (USA) – made with organic soy wax and real food powders like spinach, blueberry, and beet.
Filana Crayons (USA) - 100% organic beeswax and non-toxic pigments.
Mirola Kids Crayons - 100% beeswax, colored with food-grade pigments.
Hieno Jumbo Crayons (India) - 100% pure beeswax, goat milk, and natural food coloring.
Homemade Crayons – if you’re crafty, you can make your own with beeswax or carnauba wax and natural pigments.
If you find another option not on this list, be cautious — even brands that look natural sometimes sneak in paraffin. Always double-check ingredients or contact the company directly. If you find a legit company making natural non-toxic crayons, comment below with the brand so I can add it to this list.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: just because something is labeled “non-toxic” doesn’t mean it’s safe. If your kids love to color and especially like to eat crayons, it’s worth choosing crayons made from clean, natural ingredients. They may cost a little more, but they’re healthier for your kids and the planet — and in my experience, they color beautifully without that chemical smell.
