Have you ever wondered how to use watercolor crayons with kids? You’ll be delighted to learn they’re wonderfully simple to use! Kids are amazed at how their drawings can turn into paintings right before their very eyes.
Watercolor crayons are stunnnning
Watercolor crayons are…magical.
Irresistible.
I have gone through many, many boxes of watercolor crayons over the years, and they’re one of the supplies that delight little kids just as much as they do adults.
Bonus: it’s a great entry point to process art and will make kids want to create over and over again.
🖍️ Related: We love anything related to coloring for kids! This list of the 30+ best kids’ coloring activities is a must-see.
The difference: Regular crayons vs. watercolor crayons
They look and feel the same in your hand…so what’s the difference?
- Regular crayons are wax-based, so the pigment sits on the paper and resists water.
- Watercolor crayons are water-soluble, so the pigment dissolves and moves with a damp brush, creating soft washes and painterly blends.
Both draw smoothly, but watercolor crayons have the magical ability to turn a drawing into a painting with one satisfying swish of the brush (like magic!).
There’s more coloring fun where this came from!
- Have you ever colored on play dough?
- Concentric heart art (this goes viral every year!)
- Rainbow line drawing with free printable
- Tracing leaf veins
Materials
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- Watercolor crayons
- Heavyweight paper or watercolor paper
- Cup of clean water
- Paintbrushes
How to use watercolor crayons with kids
First, invite kids to draw with the watercolor crayons, pressing slightly firmer than with regular crayons for rich color.
Next, dip a brush in water, tap off excess, gently paint over the crayon areas, and watch lines melt into gorgeous watercolor.
Last, let dry!
How to use watercolor crayons to make tape-resist initials
Use thin painter’s tape to form each child’s first initial on the paper.
Invite them to fill the whole page with watercolor crayon color zigzags, stripes, and dots.
Brush water over everything to blend it into a dreamy backdrop.
When dry, peel the tape to reveal a bold white letter popping through.
Kids can outline the letter with a contrasting crayon for extra drama (more is more!).
How to use watercolor crayons for color mixing
Draw three small circles touching each other like a snowman: one red, one yellow, one blue.
Let kids wet each circle gently and watch where the colors meet.
Ask, “What new color do you make when they touch?”
Repeat with different pairs to build a little color garden across the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Watercolor crayons dissolve when touched with water and a brush, turning the drawn pigment into paint; regular crayons are wax-based and resist water.
Heavyweight or watercolor paper works best because they can handle water without tearing or buckling.
Start with a damp (not dripping) brush, adding more water for lighter washes and less for stronger color.
I love this article! Its so helpful for a first-time watercolor crayon user. The step-by-step guides and FAQs made it easy to understand and feel confident trying it with my kids. Great resource!