Fun and eco-friendly coloring supplies

Many of us are concerned with lead paint, the chemicals in plastic toys, and more. But how many of you have stopped to consider the tools your kids use to color? While not dangerous to them, the wood and wax that is used to make everyday colored pencils and crayons is not environmentally-friendly.

Better ways to color – soy crayons

Soy crayons offer an alternative to what is most likely in your child’s school desk. Soy crayons like those by Clementine Art are made with all-natural materials including kosher soy, beeswax, paraffin wax, and calcium carbonate (chalk). Apparently they are creamy and smooth to color with, have excellent color, and can be washed with soap and water.

I also fell in love with these soy-based crayon rocks that are great for kids. I can also imagine adults fiddling with these at a restaurant or if you leave a bowl of them (and some scrap paper) on your coffee table!

Newspaper colored pencils

The first thing I noticed about the newspaper pencil I brought home from a local festival is that it did not break when I sharpened it! Finally, a pencil that can withstand even the cheapest sharpener! I also noticed how comfortable it was to hold, and the shavings stayed in one long looped coil that I thought would be fun to use as packing material if we ever saved enough.

Newspaper colored pencils are made from just that, tightly rolled recycled newspaper. I found these fun wild designed colored pencils at Uncommon Goods.

Probably the king of all newspaper colored pencils though is the Smencil. Not only is it made from recycled newspaper, it colors, AND smells like a popular flavor! These are especially great to bring out when homework is a struggle. Anything that makes doing homework a little more fun is great in my book. And if it saves some trees, even better!

Have you found any other cool, eco-friendly coloring supplies? I’d love to hear about them!

Janine Nickel (@Twincident on Twitter) documents her neuroses, the drama of raising twin girls and offers product reviews and giveaways at TwoferMom.com.

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