Non-Toxic Art Supplies for Kids: What the Labels Actually Mean

You pick up a box of crayons and turn it over. There's a little seal, a string of letters and numbers, and some small print about "conforming to" something.

What does any of it mean? And is it enough to know the crayon your child is definitely going to chew is safe?

Here's a plain-English guide to art supply safety labels, what to look for, and a few easy habits for the coloring table.

The labels, decoded

The AP (Approved Product) seal

The Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) runs a certification program for art materials. Products with the AP seal have been evaluated by a toxicologist and found to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems.

For children's crayons, markers, paints and pencils, the AP seal is the label to look for. Most major children's art brands carry it.

The CL (Cautionary Label) seal

Products with the ACMI CL seal contain materials that need specific safe-use instructions. They're typically adult art materials and generally aren't suitable for young children.

"Conforms to ASTM D-4236"

This line means the product's labeling was reviewed for chronic health hazards under U.S. rules for art materials. It's a labeling standard. It shows up on both AP and CL products, so it doesn't tell you on its own whether something is non-toxic. Look for the AP seal as well.

"Non-toxic"

The word on its own is a claim by the manufacturer. It's most meaningful when it comes with a recognized certification like the AP seal.

Age labels

"Ages 3+" warnings often relate to small parts (like marker caps) that could be a choking hazard, not to toxicity. Follow them, especially with younger siblings around.

What to look for when buying kids' art supplies

• The AP seal on the box.
• Products designed for children, not adult artist supplies.
• A sensible age range for your child.
• A reputable seller. Very cheap unbranded supplies from unknown sources are harder to check.
• Vented marker caps for younger kids. Many children's marker brands use them as a safety feature.

The major children's brands we recommend carry non-toxic labeling and the AP seal. Always check the current packaging, as products can change.

Supplies to be careful with

• Permanent markers: strong fumes and very hard to remove. Grown-ups only.
• Adult art paints and pastels: some artist-grade pigments aren't intended for children.
• Spray products: fixatives, spray paints and adhesives. Adults only, outdoors.
• Anything unlabeled, especially very cheap sets with no safety information.

Simple safety habits at the coloring table

What about "natural" and beeswax supplies?

Beeswax crayons, soy crayons and plant-based paints are lovely, and many families prefer them. "Natural" doesn't automatically mean safer, though; it's still worth checking for safety certification and age guidance. For most children, well-certified mainstream supplies are perfectly suitable.

Free printable · One square page

Meet Lunai

Once the supplies are sorted: a free Lunai coloring page, drawn with bold lines for crayons and pencils.

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Safe, simple, and ready to color

You don't need to become a chemist to buy safe art supplies. Look for the AP seal, choose products made for children, follow the age guidance, and keep a few simple habits at the table. Then relax and enjoy the coloring.

Read it together · Book 1 of 12 · Safety

Lunai and the Quiet Moon

A little light. A very big what-if.

“Rain taps on Lunai's window. Outside, a small light flickers, and his mind begins filling in the mystery.”

With Lunai & Pico · Ages 6–10 · Story + coloring

Look inside

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