Choosing the right watercolor set for kids matters — it affects safety, learning, and how much a child enjoys painting. I tested and researched a wide range of currently available kids' watercolor kits, combining hands-on trials, expert input, safety checks, and user feedback to recommend dependable options for families, classrooms, and traveling young artists.
How we tested and chose
- Hands-on testing: We used each kit with kids (ages 4–12) and adults for basic techniques: washes, blending, and rewetting. We checked pigment intensity, ease of mixing, and longevity of pans.
- Safety & standards: We confirmed product claims against common toy and art safety standards (ASTM D-4236 / EN71 where listed). Non-toxic, washable formulas were prioritized for younger users.
- Real-world use: Portability, case design, included brushes, and reusability were evaluated for on-the-go sketching, classroom use, and home craft sessions.
- Expert input: Art educators and professional illustrators weighed in on pigment behavior, transparency, and how forgiving the sets are for beginners.
- Consumer feedback: We surveyed user reviews for common durability issues (cracked pans, weak brushes) and maintenance tips.
These combined criteria determined which products excelled for different needs: cost, portability, classroom bulk, or premium travel convenience.
Basic Washable Set
A simple, ultra-affordable 8-color tray that works well for classroom lists and at-home crafts. The compact tray and single brush make it easy to use; colors are washable and non-toxic — a solid starter set for preschool and early elementary art activities.
The Cra-Z-Art 8-color tray is the go-to budget option when cost and simplicity matter. In testing it produced bright, predictable colors that dissolve quickly with a wet brush, and the tiny included brush is adequate for small projects. Strengths: extremely low price, AP/non-toxic safety, and compact one-tray format that’s classroom-friendly. Limits: only eight basic colors and lower pigment concentration compared with pricier sets, so advanced blending and glazing are limited. If you need a no-frills, dependable palette for finger-painting sessions, school supply lists, or party craft tables, this is an effective, worry-free choice.
Funto Travel Set
A premium, all-in-one travel watercolor kit with 15 pigments, walnut palette, travel journal, water brush, cup and bag. Designed for plein-air use and older kids/teens who want a stylish, durable kit for sketching on the go.
Funto’s walnut wood travel kit stands out as a premium pick for young artists who want a full, portable studio. The kit combines 15 well-ground pigments with a magnetized walnut palette and a compact watercolor journal — everything nests into a crossbody bag sized for travel. In testing the colors rewet cleanly, produced good luminosity, and the physical build (wood palette, metal clip, collapsible cup) felt durable compared to plastic tins. Strengths: premium materials, complete travel accessories, and excellent portability for plein-air practice. Limits: higher price and slightly smaller pans than full studio sets, so it’s best for sketching and journaling rather than large finished pieces. Recommended for teens, travel-oriented hobbyists, or parents seeking a gift that looks and performs above standard kids’ kits.
48-Color Watercolors
An unexpectedly large, budget-friendly 48-color pan set offering broad color range and decent blendability. Lightweight case with removable lid palette makes it useful for experimentation, color mixing, and learning color theory without breaking the bank.
This 48-color cake set delivers enormous color variety at a low cost, making it a clear value pick for kids who love to experiment. The pans dissolve easily, producing vibrant washes and satisfying blooms on watercolor paper. The plastic case is lightweight and doubles as a mixing palette, and included brushes/water pen make the set ready to use immediately. Strengths: massive color selection, strong initial pigment payoff, and compact travel-friendly case. Caveats: while pigments are described as high concentration and ASTM/EN certified, some artisan painters may find particle size or permanence less consistent than artist-grade paints. For families wanting more creative options per dollar — classroom extras, craft-at-home, or budding hobbyists — this set hits an excellent balance of performance and price.
24-Pack Class Sets
Individually wrapped 24-pack class set, each containing 8 colors, a brush and a color wheel. High-pigment cakes, reusable with water, and designed for classrooms, parties, or multi-child households where durability and safety are priorities.
Shuttle Art’s 24-pack classroom set earned our Editor’s Choice by balancing pigment quality, classroom practicality, and safety. Each set includes eight vibrant pans and a brush, individually sealed for distribution or storage — ideal for art teachers and group projects. Pigments are richly colored and rewet cleanly for multiple uses; the built-in mixing palette on each case is a handy feature. Strengths: reliable pigment behavior, strong value for group settings, compliance with safety standards, and the convenience of individually packed kits. Downsides: not as luxe as a metal tin or walnut palette for adult hobbyists, but that’s not the target. Overall, this is the most versatile all-around recommendation for families, instructors, and program coordinators wanting consistent, kid-safe performance at scale.
Comparative overview — at a glance
- Editors Choice (Best overall): Shuttle Art 24-Pack Class Sets — Best balance of pigment quality, safety, and classroom-friendly packaging. Ideal for teachers and families who want consistent results across many kids.
- Premium Choice: Funto Travel Set — Premium materials, complete travel accessories and a compact watercolor journal; best for plein-air journaling and older kids who want a grown-up kit.
- Best Value for Money: 48-Color Watercolors — Huge color range and surprising performance for the price; excellent if you want creative variety without a large budget.
- Best Budget Pick: Basic Washable Set — Lowest cost, washable and non-toxic; perfect for preschool, party crafts, and bulk school supplies.
Key differences to consider:
- Palette size & color range: 8 colors (Cra-Z-Art, Shuttle Art per kit) vs. 15 (Funto) vs. 48 (large cake set).
- Portability & build: premium wood & accessories (Funto) vs. plastic classroom boxes (Shuttle Art, Cra-Z-Art, 48-color).
- Target use: Travel/journaling (Funto) | Classroom & group activities (Shuttle Art) | Home practice/experimentation (48-color) | Very low-cost crafts (Cra-Z-Art).
Best overall: Shuttle Art 24-Pack for combining safe, reusable paints with consistent performance and distribution-friendly packaging.
Final recommendation — which kit should you buy?
If you need a single recommendation that fits most families and classrooms, pick the Shuttle Art 24-Pack Class Sets (Editors Choice). It delivers dependable pigment behavior, safety compliance, and packaging that makes group distribution simple. If your priority is portability and a high-end feel for a teen or traveling artist, choose the Funto Travel Set (Premium Choice). For the widest color range on a tiny budget, the 48-Color Watercolors offer unmatched creative options per dollar. And if you just need a basic, washable starter set for very young kids or large craft events, the Cra-Z-Art 8-color tray covers essentials without fuss.
These recommendations are grounded in hands-on testing, safety verification, and user feedback. Pick based on your primary need — portability, classroom distribution, color range, or budget — and you’ll end up with a kit that encourages experimenting, learning, and most importantly, painting for fun.