Best Glitter Markers for Kids: Washable, Non-Toxic Picks
The best glitter markers for kids promise a lot of sparkle, but the craft aisle is full of sets that look dazzling on the box and dull on the page. Some are washable and non-toxic and built for little hands, while others are craft pens that skew older and stain if you look at them wrong. We wanted to know which sets actually earn a spot in a kid's supply bin, so we spread eight of them across our kitchen table and drew with our two kids, ages five and eight, running each one through the same drawings on white and black paper.
The first thing that surprised us was how faint most of the sparkle looked on white paper, closer to colored ink with a shimmer than the bold glitter on the box, and how the metallics only came alive on black construction paper. A few sets smudged when a hand dragged across a stroke before it dried, one gold Crayola line stained a shirt sleeve, and the fine tips dried out fast whenever a cap went missing. One set won both kids over on the very first try. Sparkle, safety, and washability rarely live in the same marker, and the right pick depends a lot on your child's age. Below are the eight sets we tested, ranked by how they held up in real use.
Our Top Glitter Marker Picks at a Glance
Every set below is non-toxic, but only two are genuinely washable, and the best pick depends on your child's age and what they draw.
| Product | Best for | Tip type | # Colors | Washable / Non-toxic | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crayola Glitter Markers | Best overall | Felt tip | 8 | No / Yes | Buy |
| Ooly Rainbow Sparkle (Set of 15) | Best color variety | Rounded felt | 15 | Yes / Yes | Buy |
| Cra-Z-Art Glitter Markers | Best for younger kids | Medium felt | 6 | Yes / Yes | Buy |
| Self-Outline Metallic Shimmer Markers | Best for dark paper | 2–3mm self-outline | 12 | No / Yes | Buy |
| Sargent Art Glitter Gel Pens | Best for bold coverage | Gel, fine | 10 | No / Yes | Buy |
| Ohuhu Glitter Markers | Best value | Fine, 0.7–2mm | 12 | No / Yes | Buy |
| Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust | Best for fine detail | Gel, 0.5–1.0mm | 6 | No / Yes | Buy |
| JusArt Glitter Paint Markers | Best all-rounder | Acrylic, fine | 16 | No / Yes | Buy |
The Best Glitter Markers for Kids, Reviewed
We put every set through the same drawings on white and black paper, scoring sparkle, safety, washability, color range, and feel in a child's hand.
NoteThe biggest surprise across all eight sets was how differently glitter ink behaves on white versus black paper. On white it reads as a soft, tinted shimmer; on black construction paper the metallics finally look the way the box promises. If your kids mostly draw on white, buy for color and washability first and treat sparkle as a bonus.
Crayola Glitter Markers - Best Overall
The Crayola Glitter Markers set is the one we hand a kid first, because it does the ordinary things well: eight felt-tip colors, a smooth glide, and a non-toxic formula that conforms to the ASTM D-4236 labeling standard. On white paper the sparkle read as subtle, closer to colored ink with a shimmer than the bold glitter the box promises, but the colors came alive on black construction paper. The catch is cleanup. Crayola does not sell these as washable, and one gold stroke down a shirt sleeve needed a real stain-removal routine before it faded.
Pros
- Easy to find and genuinely kid-simple
- Non-toxic, conforms to ASTM D-4236
- Colors pop on dark paper
Cons
- Not washable and can stain fabric
- Sparkle looks faint on white paper
Ooly Rainbow Sparkle Glitter Markers (Set of 15) - Best Color Variety
Where Crayola keeps things simple with eight colors, the Ooly Rainbow Sparkle set hands your kids fifteen, ten classic shades plus five pastels. These became our house favorite fast, because the rounded tips are easy for little hands still learning to steer a marker and the ink glides without dragging. They are also one of the few sets here that are genuinely washable as well as non-toxic, which is why they earn the color-variety crown. Ooly suggests ages six and up, which fits the steady hand its fine control rewards.
Pros
- Fifteen colors, including five pastels
- Genuinely washable and non-toxic
- Smooth tips suit little hands
Cons
- Around twenty dollars, pricier per pen
- Sparkle is still subtle on white paper
Cra-Z-Art Glitter Markers - Best for Younger Kids
If Ooly aims at school-age artists, the Cra-Z-Art Glitter Markers set is the one we reach for with the youngest hands. It is a smaller six-color pack with a medium tip, washable from skin, non-toxic, and rated for ages three and up. What our youngest liked best is that it makes no loose-glitter mess to sweep up. The sparkle is gentle, but for a preschooler who wants sparkle without a cleanup project, it is the cleanest fit here.
Pros
- Washable from skin, non-toxic
- No loose-glitter mess
- A true ages three and up pick
Cons
- Only six colors
- Gentle, low-key sparkle
Self-Outline Metallic Shimmer Markers (12) - Best for Dark Paper
Both Ooly and Cra-Z-Art wash off skin, but this set trades washability for a trick neither can do. These self-outline shimmer markers lay down a metallic center and a colored outline in one stroke, so a single pass draws a two-tone line. Sold under a rotating cast of near-identical brand names, the twelve-color set uses a two to three millimeter tip and a water-based, non-toxic, acid-free ink that is not washable. The effect is eye-catching on black paper, but there is a learning curve: you hold the pen at about a forty-five degree angle, and our younger one found the double line fiddly until her older sibling showed her the trick. Marketed for ages four to sixteen, it really skews tween and teen.
Pros
- One-stroke, two-tone metallic line
- Stunning on black paper
- Non-toxic and acid-free
Cons
- Not washable
- Fiddly for younger kids
Sargent Art Glitter Gel Pens - Best for Bold Coverage
Like the self-outline set, these Sargent Art glitter gel pens are built for dark paper. They are gel pens rather than felt markers, sold in a ten-pack, non-toxic and conforming to ASTM D-4236, and the sparkling gel writes boldly on dark and light poster board. That is where felt-tip glitter markers tend to vanish, so we kept these for black-paper projects and fine detailing on cards. At roughly six dollars they are the budget surprise of the group, though the fine tip suits older kids.
Pros
- Non-toxic, conforms to ASTM D-4236
- Shows up boldly on dark poster board
- Around six dollars
Cons
- Gel pens, not felt markers
- Fine tip suits older kids
Ohuhu Glitter Markers - Best Value
If Sargent covers bold detail, the Ohuhu Glitter Markers set covers the widest everyday color range for the lowest fuss. The twelve-color set uses a fine 0.7 to two millimeter tip and a water-based, quick-drying ink, with an anti-roll cap so a dropped marker stays put. That quick-dry ink helped in practice, because like most glitter markers these lay down a little streaky, so we let each stroke dry a few seconds before the next. At about eighteen dollars for twelve colors that also write on mugs, wood, and cards, it suits an older kid who wants versatility.
Pros
- Twelve versatile colors
- Quick-drying, so fewer smudges
- Anti-roll cap stays on the table
Cons
- Around eighteen dollars
- Not washable
- Sparkle can look faint on white
Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Glitter Pens - Best for Fine Detail
Where Ohuhu chases value, the Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust pens chase precision. These are fine gel pens with tips from 0.5 to 1.0 millimeters, using a cosmetic-grade, non-toxic glitter that meets ACMI standards and a pigment ink that is archival and waterproof once dry. Our older one sat down with a six-color set and drew a mermaid under the sea and a spaceship in about half an hour, then summed the pens up better than we could: more shimmery than sparkly. The effect is refined rather than chunky glitter, a fine-detail tool for older kids and a poor match for a toddler who wants big, bold sparkle.
Pros
- Precise 0.5 to 1.0mm gel tips
- ACMI non-toxic, archival ink
- Excellent for fine detail
Cons
- More shimmery than sparkly
- Too fine for young kids
JusArt Glitter Paint Markers - Best All-Rounder
Sakura keeps its sparkle refined, but JusArt goes the opposite direction, onto rocks, wood, and black paper. This sixteen-color set uses a water-based acrylic glitter ink that reactivates with warm water, and its whole appeal is range. It writes on paper, but also on stones, wood, glass, and canvas, which turned a rainy afternoon into a rock-painting session at our table. On black paper the shimmer popped the way metallic ink should, and on white it went faint, the same pattern we saw across every set here. Cap it tightly and store it flat, because the fine tip dries out if you leave it open, and give younger kids a hand, since acrylic does not wash out of clothes.
Pros
- Sixteen colors
- Works on paper, rock, wood, and glass
- Shimmers on black paper
Cons
- Acrylic, so not washable
- Fine tip dries out if left uncapped
What Makes Glitter Markers Great for Kids
Glitter markers earn their place for reasons beyond the shine. Gripping and steering a marker builds the same fine-motor control that later helps with handwriting, and choosing colors and planning a design gives kids decisions to make on their own. A line that catches the light also feels special in a way a plain marker does not, which often keeps a child at the table long enough to finish a drawing.
Glitter markers also shine for special occasions, turning a homemade birthday card, a name banner, or a school poster into something a kid is proud to hand over. They come out for celebrations rather than everyday scribbling, and pair naturally with a good set of the best markers for kids and the best dry erase markers for kids for reusable practice. A little sparkle, used now and then, makes art time feel like an event.
How to Choose the Best Glitter Markers for Kids
Not all glitter markers suit the same kid or project. A few quick checks save you from a set that looks great on the box and disappoints on the page.
Safety and Non-Toxic Certification (AP/ACMI Seal, ASTM D-4236)
Start with the label. Look for wording that the marker is non-toxic and conforms to the ASTM D-4236 labeling standard, which means a toxicologist has reviewed the ingredients and disclosed any chronic health hazards on the packaging. For the youngest kids, the strongest signal is the AP-certified non-toxic seal from ACMI, which certifies that a material is safe for children in grade six and younger. Every set we recommend is labeled non-toxic, and the felt-tip picks carry an ages three and up rating with a small-parts caution for the caps.
Washable Formula and Easy Cleanup
Washable is a word that gets overused on glitter markers, so read it carefully. In this guide only the Ooly and Cra-Z-Art sets genuinely wash off skin and out of most fabrics with warm water. Crayola's markers are non-toxic but not sold as washable, and the company publishes a stain-removal routine because some colors are harder to lift from cloth. The gel, metallic, and acrylic craft pens are not washable at all. If cleanup is your top worry, start with our guide to the best washable markers for kids.
Tip Type and Size (Fine vs. Broad)
NoteNot every product labeled a "glitter marker" is actually a felt-tip marker. Several popular sparkly pens are gel pens or acrylic paint pens, which give finer lines and richer color on dark paper but are not washable and suit older kids. Decide whether you want an everyday felt marker for a preschooler or a fine craft pen for detailed work before you buy.
Tip type decides what a set is good for. Broader felt tips lay down color fast and forgive a shaky hand, good for younger kids coloring larger shapes. Fine gel and outline tips reward older kids who want lettering, detail, and clean edges.
Color Variety and Glitter Quality
More colors are not automatically better, but variety helps kids match the picture in their head. Glitter quality matters more, and it varies a lot. On white paper most glitter inks read as a soft, tinted shimmer rather than bold sparkle, and a set often looks less dazzling than its packaging. The metallics only truly come alive on dark paper, so match your expectations to the surface your child uses.
Comfort and Grip for Little Hands
A marker a child cannot hold comfortably stays in the box. Rounded barrels and tips that glide without dragging matter for little hands still learning to steer, which is part of why the Ooly set won our kids over. For a preschooler, comfort and grip matter more than color count.
Set Size and Value
Set size ranges from six pens to sixteen, and price does not always track the count, from around six dollars for a small gel-pen pack to closer to twenty for a larger washable set. Glitter markers can feel pricey, so a smaller set of colors your child will use often beats a big box that sits unopened.
Creative Ways Kids Can Use Glitter Markers
Parent tipBefore a glitter project, tape a sheet of scrap paper under your child's work and put them in a smock or an old shirt. A few sets stain fabric, and a protected table turns cleanup from a chore into a five-second job.
Glitter markers are at their best when they have a job to do. Homemade greeting cards are the obvious one, where a sparkly border or a name in shimmer lifts a birthday or thank-you card. Posters and school projects fit too, since a glitter title stands out on a display board far better than a plain marker. Older kids who journal or scrapbook can add sparkle to headings and doodles with fine gel pens.
Name art is a favorite in our house, where kids draw their name in big bubble letters and fill each one with a different glitter color, which doubles as low-key handwriting practice. Beyond paper, the acrylic craft pens write on smooth stones and painted wood, turning a rainy afternoon into a rock-painting project. Treat glitter as an accent rather than the whole picture, so the sparkle lands where it counts.
Safety Tips for Using Glitter Markers
Watch outMost kids' glitter markers are rated for ages three and up and carry a small-parts caution for the caps. Keep uncapped markers away from children under three, and stay nearby while little ones draw. None of this needs to be fussy, and it is easy to build into a normal art session.
A few small habits keep glitter-marker time safe and low-stress. Because a few sets stain, protect the table with scrap paper and put younger kids in a smock. Have kids wash their hands afterward, since washable sets rinse off easily while acrylic and gel pens need more scrubbing. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's product-safety guidance is a useful overview, since it enforces the labeling law behind those non-toxic seals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are glitter markers for kids washable from skin and clothes?
It depends on the set. Only a few, like the Ooly Rainbow Sparkle and Cra-Z-Art markers, are made to wash off skin and out of most fabrics with warm water. Crayola glitter markers are non-toxic but not sold as washable, and the ink can stain clothing, so treat a spill on a shirt with a stain-removal routine before it sets. The gel, metallic, and acrylic craft pens here are not washable at all, so keep those to paper.
Are glitter markers safe and non-toxic for kids?
Every set we recommend is labeled non-toxic, and several conform to the ASTM D-4236 labeling standard, which means a toxicologist reviewed the ingredients for chronic health hazards. For the youngest artists, look for the ACMI AP seal, which certifies a material as safe for children in grade six and younger. Markers rated for ages three and up carry a small-parts caution, so keep caps away from children under three.
What age are glitter markers best for?
Felt-tip sets like Crayola and Cra-Z-Art are rated for ages three and up and suit preschoolers. Ooly suggests six and up, which matches the steadier hand its fine tips reward. The self-outline, gel, and acrylic pens skew tween and teen, a better fit for older kids even when the box lists a wider range.
What paper and surfaces work best with glitter markers?
Metallic and shimmer inks show up best on dark or black paper, where the sparkle pops, while the same colors look faint on white. Washable felt-tip sets work well on regular drawing and construction paper for everyday art. Acrylic craft pens like JusArt also write on stones, wood, glass, and canvas, handy for craft projects beyond the sketchbook.
How do I keep glitter markers from drying out?
Cap every marker tightly right after use and store the set flat rather than upright, which keeps the ink at the tip. Fine tips dry out fastest; if a pen skips, a gentle shake or a few seconds of warm water on a water-based tip usually restarts it. Glitter ink also lays down a little streaky, so let each stroke dry for a moment before a hand drags across it.
Final Thoughts
After eight sets and a lot of sparkly paper, the Crayola Glitter Markers remain the set we would hand most families first. They are easy to find, kid-simple, non-toxic, and look their best on the black paper kids love, as long as you accept they are not washable. If cleanup is your priority, the Ooly Rainbow Sparkle set is the washable pick with the widest color range, and the Cra-Z-Art markers are the cleanest choice for a preschooler. For older kids who want detail, the Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust pens are the fine-detail specialists, and the self-outline and acrylic sets open up dark paper and craft surfaces the felt-tip markers cannot touch. No single glitter marker does everything, so match the set to your child's age and the paper they use, and glitter markers become the small treat that makes ordinary art time feel like a celebration.
