Safety is the biggest factor when buying arts and crafts supplies for your children; but parents are not double checking the ingredients used to make some of the biggest-selling supplies on the market. All natural, non-toxic, water-based supplies are definitely the route to go when purchasing new supplies for your kids to dive into (sometimes literally.)

Here are some safe supplies to opt for the next time you find yourself shopping for the supplies to let your little artist create their masterpieces.

Crayons

• Stockmar’s Beeswax Block Crayons ($29.95)
  Stockmar crayons are made of non-toxic and sweet smelling beeswax. Long lasting and brilliant in color, they are a favorite for parents, children and schools. This set of 16 block crayons presents endless artistic possibilities. Place the crayon on one side and draw endless skies with a single swoop. Use the edge to print letters and numbers. Stockmar wax crayons meet the highest artistic standards. Through the addition of pure beeswax as a binding agent, the light-resistant pigments display their purity and full brilliance. Because they are mixed with wax, the colors are able to be used in a wide range of interesting coloring techniques – more than any other coloring material. The natural transparency of the wax and the lack of additives result in a high degree of opacity like that of watercolors.

• Artemis Plant Colored Pastel Crayons ($34.95)
  These lovely high quality pastel crayons include soft tints of primary and secondary colors. Colors include carmine red, vermillion, orange, gold yellow, lemon yellow, pale green, blue, dark blue, lilac, purple. These beautiful crayons have been colored by natural plant extract from buckthorn berries, madder root, indigo plant, weld leaves, lac-dye, coreopsis flowers, and catechu acacia. The thick, chunky shaped crayon blocks provide stability when holding.

• Crayon Rocks Soy Crayons ($10.00)
  Little hands can reach for these cool little coloring tools. The shape actually helps strengthen small hand muscles and gets ’em ready for pencils and pens. Makes for wide, expressive strokes, too. Box contains 16 1″ crayons. Made of natural soy wax (non-toxic and good for the planet).

Finger Paint

• Speedball “Speedy Kids” Finger Paint ($26.00)
  Exciting fun and entertainment for kids of all ages; 5 oz. squeeze tubes; washable. Absolutely non toxic! Bright fantastic colors! Cleans up easily with soap and water; normal laundering procedures remove stains from most fabrics. This set includes one each of all 9 “Speedy Kids” colors!

While you can buy non-toxic and eco-friendly finger paint, your best bet is to make it yourself. Here’s how:

You will need:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup grated soap (choose your favorite plain organic soap bar)

1. Melt grated soap flakes into half cup of boiling water.
2. Add cornstarch.
3. Blend well and put aside. Allow mixture to thicken.
4. Divide into small containers and add coloring.

Natural colorings can be derived from the juice of frozen berries, beet juice, tea, onion skils (boiled) or other natural sources. You can store your fingerpaints in the refrigerator for about a week.

Thanks to The Green Mom Review for the recipe! (If you can call it a recipe.)

Modeling Clay

• Artemis Plant-Colored Modeling Beeswax ($85.00)
  These high beeswax sheets include soft tints of primary and secondary colors. Colors include green, transparent, pink, brown, yellow, carmine, orange, dark blue. These beautiful beeswax sheets have been colored by natural plant extract from buckthorn berries, madder root, indigo plant, weld leaves, lac-dye, coreopsis flowers, and catechu acacia

Play Dough

• Eco-Dough ($22.00)
  Eco-dough is an all natural alternative. It is made with plant, fruit and veggie extracts! No chemicals, artificial dyes or metals. The containers are made from cornstarch and 100% compostable. Also it doesn’t dry out like name brands. If it’s left out overnight just add a few drops of olive oil and it comes right back!

• Mary’s Softdough – Solid Color Set ($17.00)
  6 Solid Colors – Pink, Blue, Purple, Red, Green, Yellow Mary’s Softdough is a soft, non-crumbly modeling dough that’s fun to play with! It holds up well to lots of creative play and when stored in it’s container will last up to a year.

  Also available: Natural Scents Set ($20.00)