Choosing the right tempera or poster paint for kids matters: it affects cleanup, safety, coverage, and whether a project looks great. Our recommendations come from hands-on testing, product spec comparison, and analysis of expert and consumer feedback to find options that work at home, in classrooms, and for craft time.
How we tested and chose
We evaluated each candidate using a mix of real-world testing and research. Key factors included:
- Washability & safety: verified AP/ASTM certifications and manufacturer washability claims; ease of removing from skin, fabric, and common surfaces.
- Coverage & color quality: opacity on paper/poster board, blendability, and vibrancy.
- Dry time & finish: how long until safe to handle and whether colors smudge or crack.
- Package & value: bottle size, number of colors, bulk options, and cost per ounce or per student for classroom use.
- Usability: mess-reduction features (spill-proof jars, solid sticks), ease of use for toddlers vs. older kids.
We prioritized products that balanced safety (non-toxic, washable), real-world classroom usability, and good color performance. Consumer reviews and brand reliability helped break ties where testing differences were small.
Washable Project Paint
A compact, affordable kit of washable project paints in six bright shades. Non-toxic and easy to mix, it’s a great low-cost supply for preschool crafting, quick projects, or topping up classroom paint tubs without fuss.
Why this is the Best Budget Pick
Crayola's washable project paint gives parents and teachers a dependable, low-cost way to stock basic craft colors. The formula is non-toxic and formulated to wash from skin and most clothing, which makes it ideal for younger children and quick art sessions. Performance-wise it offers smooth, creamy coverage and mixes cleanly to expand the color palette beyond the six included shades. The small bottles keep cost down and reduce waste when you only need a few colors.
Pros:
- Inexpensive and easy to replace
- Washable and non-toxic, suitable for ages 3+
- Smooth mixing and reliable pigment
Cons:
- Limited color selection and smaller bottles than classroom tubs
- Not optimized for large-group projects where 16oz tubs are preferable
Who it's best for: Parents, preschools, and caregivers who want an affordable, low-mess paint set for everyday craft use.
Positive Art 12-Color
A premium classroom-grade tempera set: twelve vivid 16 oz bottles made in the USA, paraben-free and ASTM-compliant. Excellent coverage, smooth mixing, and larger volumes make this a strong pick for schools and serious home artists.
Why this is the Premium Choice
Positive Art’s 12-color 16 oz tempera set targets buyers who need professional-level supply and consistency. The large 16 oz bottles deliver strong coverage and better cost-per-ounce for ongoing classroom use. The paints are paraben-free, non-toxic, and formulated to blend and cover smoothly on paper, posters, and cardboard — ideal for bigger projects and display pieces.
Pros:
- Large 16 oz bottles reduce reordering and are classroom-friendly
- Paraben-free, ASTM-compliant formula with vivid pigments
- Made in the USA and engineered for consistent coverage
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost than small consumer packs
- Takes more storage space and may be overkill for casual home use
Who it's best for: Teachers, art programs, and parents running frequent craft activities who value large-format bottles and consistent color performance.
Kwik Stix Bulk Pack
A high-value bulk option of solid tempera paint sticks — 72 total sticks across packs — that dry in ~90 seconds, are washable, and let kids paint without brushes or water. Excellent for classrooms, camps, and mess-free activities.
Why this is the Best Value for Money
Kwik Stix solid tempera sticks deliver enormous practical value. This bulk set supplies 72 sticks (six 12-packs), giving teachers and activity leaders a massive stock of mess-free paint tools. They go on like a crayon but behave like paint, drying in about 90 seconds with minimal smudging. No brushes, no water, and very little setup or cleanup—the time savings alone make them cost-effective for groups.
Pros:
- Outstanding quantity for the price — ideal for bulk projects
- Fast drying (~90 seconds) and mess-free application
- Non-toxic and allergen-free with strong pigment
Cons:
- Not a liquid tempera — texture and finish differ from poster paints
- Less suitable for techniques requiring wet blending or brushwork
Who it's best for: Classrooms, parties, and anyone needing a fast, tidy way to produce bold posters and group artwork without the cleanup overhead.
Colorations Rainbow Pack
An editors’ favorite for classrooms: eight 16 oz paraben-free tempera paints with AP certification. Reliable, versatile, and made to perform on a variety of surfaces — excellent for teachers who need a safe, durable supply.
Why this is the Editors' Choice
Colorations' Rainbow Plus 8-pack blends safety certifications and classroom practicality. Each 16 oz bottle delivers vibrant, matte-finish tempera that resists cracking and flaking when dry. The formula is paraben-free, AP-seal certified, and versatile enough for paper, wood, cardboard, and papier-mâché. These tubs balance coverage, color fidelity, and safety — the combination that classrooms most often ask us to prioritize.
Pros:
- Large 16 oz bottles with strong pigment and matte finish
- Paraben-free and AP-seal for non-toxicity
- Works across many surfaces; resists flaking when dry
Cons:
- Eight colors covers essentials but lacks an expanded palette some art programs might want
- Higher price than single-consumer bottles, but justified by volume and certification
Who it's best for: Schools and after-school programs that require safe, classroom-sized paint with dependable performance and easy cleanup.
Comparison at a glance
- Washable Project Paint (Crayola) — Best for tight budgets and small-scale home use; compact, washable, and easy to mix.
- Positive Art 12-Color — Premium, large 16 oz bottles for heavy classroom use; paraben-free and made in the USA.
- Kwik Stix Bulk Pack — Best value for group activities; mess-free, fast-drying solid tempera sticks ideal for posters and events.
- Colorations Rainbow Pack — Editor’s pick for classroom reliability: AP-seal, paraben-free 16 oz tubs with robust coverage.
Key differences to consider:
- Volume vs. Price: Positive Art and Colorations offer large 16 oz bottles (better cost per ounce). Crayola is the cheapest per purchase but in smaller sizes. Kwik Stix trades liquid coverage for mess-free convenience and volume of units.
- Use case: For fingerpainting and wet techniques, liquid tempera (Positive Art/Colorations/Crayola) is best. For fast events, posters, or younger groups with minimal cleanup, Kwik Stix is superior.
- Safety & Certifications: Colorations and Positive Art highlight paraben-free/ASTM or AP-seal standards; always check labels if allergies or sensitivities are a concern.
Best overall: For most classrooms and engaged home artists, Colorations Rainbow Pack balances safety, coverage, and price. If you need larger color range and volume, Positive Art 12-Color is the premium alternative. For tight budgets or quick craft sessions, pick Crayola Washable Project Paint, and for mess-free bulk use, go with Kwik Stix.
Final recommendation
Our testing and research show there’s no single “perfect” kids’ tempera or poster paint—your choice should match how you work. For most schools and parents who want reliable coverage and safety certifications, Colorations' 16 oz Rainbow Pack is the best overall pick. If you need larger quantities and a broader palette for heavy use, Positive Art’s 12-color 16 oz set is the premium alternative. For quick, low-cost home crafts, Crayola’s washable project paint is the most economical option. And for bulk, mess-free activities where cleanup time is critical, Kwik Stix delivers unbeatable value.
All recommendations are rooted in hands-on comparison of coverage, washability, drying behavior, packaging, and price-per-unit, alongside consumer feedback. Choose the option that best matches your project scale: small home sessions, classroom supplies, or large group events — and you’ll be set for many colorful projects ahead.