Crayola's trusted brand and high user ratings make this versatile marker set a strong value for its accessible price point.
Price vs. rivals
Pricier
CheaperTypicalPricier
Priced slightly above average for its category, reflecting premium brand reputation and high user ratings.
Ease of use
Excellent 95/100
These markers are very easy to use due to their simple design, vibrant colors, and washable formula, making them ideal for young children.
Overview
This Crayola Washable Markers review is for the 40-count box of broad line markers, the ones that say “Ultra Clean” on the front. If you’ve got kids who color on stuff that isn’t paper—tables, walls, themselves—these are probably worth your $19. They’re the standard for a reason, but there’s a catch or two you should know before you click buy.
Key Features
Ultra Clean Washability – The ink is formulated to come off skin with soap and water, and out of most fabrics in a regular wash cycle. You’ll still want to treat stains fast, but this stuff doesn’t sink into fibers the way permanent or cheap washable markers do.
Broad Line Tip – That chiseled, bullet-shaped tip lays down a thick line fast. It’s great for covering big spaces in a coloring book or for kids who haven’t mastered fine motor control yet. Not great if your kid insists on coloring inside tiny shapes.
40 Colors – You get a solid range: the basics, a bunch of greens and blues that actually look different from each other, and some pastels that toddlers will grind into the carpet. No duplicate reds or browns in here, which is rarer than it should be in bulk packs.
Non- Toxic Formula – Conforms to ASTM D4236. That means if a 2-year-old chews the cap or licks a line on their arm, you don’t have to call poison control.
Classic Barrel Shape – Thick enough for small hands to grip, short enough that they don’t tip over as easily as those skinny art markers. The caps snap on with a satisfying click, but they don’t lock, so you’ll find a few dried-out ones if your kid is a cap-chewer or a leave-them-out enthusiast.
Fit for You
You have a preschooler who thinks the wall is a canvas and the dining table is a coloring mat.
You’re a teacher buying for a classroom of 20+ kids and you need something that washes out of shared aprons and uniform shirts.
You’re assembling a birthday party goodie bag and want markers that won’t ruin the host’s sofa when a kid draws on it.
You have a child who loses caps faster than you can find them, so you need a cheap enough marker that a few casualties don’t hurt the budget.
You want a single set that covers everything from homework charts to rainy-day crafts without running to the store for refills.
Uses
Stick these in a lunch bag for restaurant coloring. The ink doesn’t bleed through standard paper placemats the way cheaper markers do, but it will ghost through thin notebook paper if your kid leans on it.
They’re the go-to for broad line markers for school projects. That thick tip makes posters and signs look bold from across the classroom. If a kid has to write their name on a big banner, these are the marker for the job.
For art time at home, they handle the basics fine—coloring pages, homemade cards, doodling on cardboard boxes. Don’t expect them to blend like watercolors or layer without tearing cheap paper. They’re washable markers, not art supplies.
Experience
You open the box and you’re hit with that familiar Crayola smell—slightly chemical, not strong, just part of the package. The markers come in a cardboard box with a plastic insert that holds them in neat rows. That insert will rip within a week if you have a kid under five, so maybe plan to store them in a cup or a pencil case instead.
The caps are color-matched to the ink, which sounds obvious but some brands use random colors and you waste five minutes hunting for the right blue. The click when you recap is satisfying, but the caps don’t lock into place. If your kid stacks them loosely or knocks the cup over, you’ll find dry markers by week three.
Cleaning is where these earn their rep. A scribble on an arm wipes off with a wet paper towel in seconds. On a painted wall, expect to scrub for a minute with a magic eraser—it works, but you’ll wish you had caught it fresh. On clothes, throw the shirt in the wash with detergent and cold water. Set stains from letting them sit overnight might leave a faint ghost, but honestley, most washable markers won’t get that out either.
The 40-count means you’ll have enough for a group. The down side is that the box is wide and doesn’t fit neatly in a standard school supply pouch. You’ll either keep them in the box or find a bigger container.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Washes off most surfaces easily – Skin, tables, and walls clean up with minimal effort. Clothes come clean in the wash if you catch the stain before it dries.
Good color selection for the price – Forty colors for about nineteen dollars means you’re paying roughly 47 cents a marker. That’s solid value for a brand that doesn’t fade or turn muddy.
Makes a good classroom or group set – The broad tip is visible from a few feet away, and the volume means fewer arguments over who gets the good green.
Non-toxic and child-safe – You don’t have to hover while they draw. The formula is a known quantity for parents of toddlers and kids with sensory habits.
Cons
Caps don’t lock – If your kid is a loose-capper, expect several markers to dry out before the set is half used. You can’t fix that.
Broad tip is too blunt for small details – Coloring in tiny spaces on a mandala or an intricate coloring book will frustrate anyone over the age of six. Keep a fine-tip set on hand.
Some colors are close to each other – You get a lot of blues and greens, but the pink and red are similar enough that a toddler won’t notice the difference. The brown is a bit warm for some.
Ink can bleed through thin paper – Standard printer paper or cheap notebook paper will show the ink on the back. Not a problem for cardstock or coloring books.
Advantages
Crayola vs Mr. Sketch markers is a debate that comes up a lot. Mr. Sketch smells nice (fruity scents), and the ink is bolder and more vibrant right out of the box. But Mr. Sketch stains more—the washability is weaker, and the scent can be too much for some kids with sensory sensitivities. Crayola wins on safety and cleanup, which matters more if you have a toddler or a messy kid.
Compared to store-brand washable markers, Crayola holds its color longer before drying out and doesn’t leave that waxy residue some cheap brands do. The trade-off is that store brands cost half as much. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind replacing them every few months, you won’t lose much by going generic.
For parents asking are Crayola Ultra Clean markers worth it over the regular Crayola Washable line: yes. The “Ultra Clean” formula is genuinely better at coming out of fabric without scrubbing. If you’ve ever had a kid draw on a white shirt, you’ll appreciate the difference.
Spec
Details
Brand
Crayola
Count
40 markers
Tip type
Broad line (chisel/ bullet)
Washable
Yes (Ultra Clean formula)
Non-toxic
Yes (ASTM D4236)
Age range
Ages 3+
Price
$18.99
Who Should Buy
Buy it if you have kids ages 3 to 8 who color on paper and occasionally on things they shouldn’t. The washability saves your sanity.
Buy it if you’re a teacher or a daycare provider who needs a classroom set that lasts a semester and doesn’t ruin shared supplies.
Buy it if you want a dependable, no-fuss marker set for crafts, homework posters, and road-trip activity books.
Skip it if your child is a detail-oriented artist who needs skinny tips for precise work. Go buy a set of fine-point Crayola markers or artist pens.
Skip it if you’re looking for non-toxic markers for toddlers under 3. They’re technically safe, but the caps are a choking hazard, and the tips will get chewed to shreds. Look for egg-shaped or chunky toddler markers instead.
FAQ
Is the Crayola Washable Markers 40 count worth it?
Yes, if you have multiple kids or a high-use situation like a classroom. At around $0.47 per marker, you’re paying for reliable clean-up and a wide color range that lasts longer than budget brands.
How long does the Crayola Washable Markers 40ct last?
With average use (coloring a few times a week), expect 3 to 6 months before some markers dry out. Kids who recap poorly will lose markers faster. Store them horizontally or cap-up to slow evaporation.
Is the Crayola Washable Markers 40ct safe for toddlers?
The ink itself is non-toxic and passes safety standards for ages 3 and up. But the plastic caps and marker barrels are a choking hazard for children under 3, so supervise closely or choose a toddler-specific design.
Do the Crayola Ultra Clean markers wash out of clothes?
In most cases, yes. Wash the garment in cold water with laundry detergent within a few hours of the stain. Older, set-in stains may leave a faint shadow, but the Ultra Clean formula outperforms standard washable markers here.
How do the Crayola markers compare to Mr. Sketch?
Crayola is more washable and has no added scents, while Mr. Sketch offers bolder, more vibrant colors with fruity smells. Choose Crayola if clean-up matters most; choose Mr. Sketch for intensity and sensory fun.
Are these broad line markers good for school projects?
Yes. The thick line is visible from across the room, which helps for posters and signs. For detailed diagrams or labeling, you will want a finer tip marker as a supplement to this set.
Final Verdict
The Crayola markers 40 count review comes down to this: if you value peace of mind when a marker wanders off the paper, this is the set to buy. The Ultra Clean formula lives up to its name, the colors are solid, and the price is fair. The trade-off is a tip that’s too fat for fine work and caps that don’t lock.
Buy them for the mess, the volume, and the reliability. Just keep a pack of fine-liners nearby for the details.
Crayola Washable Markers 40ct vs the Competition in 2026
Walk into any school-supply aisle and you’ll see Crayola’s 40-count box of Ultra Clean Washable Markers sitting at the top of the pricing heap. At $18.99 it’s not the cheapest, but it’s also not the most expensive. The real question isn’t whether it’s a good marker — it’s whether the extra washability and color range justify the cost compared to the alternatives your kid will inevitably beg for. Here’s how it stacks up against three real rivals: the classic Crayola Washable Markers (the older formula), Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, and the budget-friendly Cra-Z-Art Washable Markers.
Product
Price Range
Key Strength
Key Weakness
Best For
Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers 40ct
Premium (~$19)
Best-in-class stain removal from skin, clothes, and most surfaces
Tips can fray if used like a scrub brush; costs more per marker
Parents of toddlers or kids who color directly on themselves and furniture
Crayola Classic Washable Markers (40ct)
Mid (~$16)
Solid color payoff, familiar Crayola durability, slightly cheaper
Stains don’t lift as cleanly from fabrics as Ultra Clean formula
School supply lists where the teacher just says “Crayola washable”
Mr. Sketch Scented Markers (24ct)
Mid (~$14)
Smells like fruit — kids love sniffing them; broad, juicy lines
Only 24 colors; scent fades; not as washable on porous surfaces
Art time where the novelty of scent keeps a reluctant kid engaged
Cra-Z-Art Washable Markers (40ct)
Budget (~$10)
Half the price of Ultra Clean; decent for paper-only projects
Colors are noticeably paler; washability is hit-or-miss on carpet
Daycare centers, summer camps, or any place markers disappear fast
Crayola Washable Markers 40ct vs Crayola Classic Washable: The Family Squabble
Both are Crayola, both are washable, and both come in 40-count boxes. The difference is the formula. The Ultra Clean version is honestly miraculous at getting purple off a beige couch after the toddler decided to “decorate” it. With the Classic Washable markers, you’ll need some spray stain remover and a bit of scrubbing; with Ultra Clean, a damp paper towel usually does it. The trade-off: the Ultra Clean tips feel slightly softer, and if your kid presses hard like they’re carving into a cave wall, the tip can mushroom after a few months. Classic markers hold their shape longer. So if your kid is still in the “I color with my fist” phase, Ultra Clean is worth the extra $3. If they’re older and mostly keep marks on paper, the Classic version is perfectly fine and you just saved a lunch money.
Crayola Washable Markers 40ct vs Mr. Sketch Scented Markers: The Nose Wins?
Mr. Sketch markers smell like a fruit salad exploded onto paper. Raspberry, blueberry, watermelon — the scents are strong and, for some kids, a legit reason to pick up a marker instead of a tablet. But the comparison is uneven from the start: Mr. Sketch gives you 24 markers for about $14, while the Crayola 40ct gives you 16 more colors. The Mr. Sketch line is also broader — the tips are chunky and lay down a wetter line, which can soak through thin printer paper. Where Mr. Sketch falls short is the washability test. That watermelon scent does nothing when the marker ends up on a white t-shirt. Crayola Ultra Clean wins that round every time. Pick Mr. Sketch only if your kid is more motivated by novelty (sniffing the blueberry “blue”) than by color variety, and you’re okay with extra laundry vigilance.
Crayola Washable Markers 40ct vs Cra-Z-Art Washable Markers: The Budget Challenge
Cra-Z-Art markers are the definition of “you get what you pay for.” At roughly half the price of the Crayola Ultra Clean, they are the go-to for classrooms where markers get lost, chewed, and left uncapped overnight. The colors are noticeably less vibrant — the red looks more like a faded brick, and the yellow barely registers. More importantly, the “washable” claim is a gamble. On skin, sure, it comes off with soap. On a cotton pillowcase? You might need two cycles and some stain spray. The tips are also stiffer, which means less fraying but also less flexibility for shading or light strokes. The best use case for Cra-Z-Art is a high-volume, low-stakes environment: a daycare, a summer camp craft table, or a birthday goody bag. For a kid who actually wants to make art you’d hang on the fridge, the Crayola Washable Markers 40ct is a clear step up in color and peace of mind.
So who should buy the Crayola Ultra Clean 40ct? If your kid is under six, prone to marking walls and clothes, and you value your sanity when doing laundry — grab it. It’s the best washable marker for kids who treat the world as their canvas. If money is tight or you’re buying a bulk box for a communal table, Cra-Z-Art will survive the chaos. And if your child is older and already knows not to draw on the cat, the Classic Crayola version or even Mr. Sketch for the scent fans will serve them just fine without draining your wallet.
Ready to decide on the Crayola Washable Markers 40ct?
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