Best Washable Paint for Kids: Non-Toxic & Easy to Clean
If you have ever peeled a dried blob of paint off the kitchen floor while a proud four-year-old holds up their masterpiece, you already know why washable paint for kids matters so much. In our home, art happens at the kitchen table almost daily, and our two kids, ages 5 and 8, treat every surface as fair game. We wanted paints that let them go big while keeping things closer to mess-free, not paints that turn cleanup into a second job. So we gathered eight of the most talked-about washable sets and put them through real kid use. Here is what washed off, what stayed vibrant, and which earned a spot in our craft bin.
The Best Washable Paints for Kids at a Glance
Here is how all eight sets stack up at a glance.
| Product | Brand | Type | Colors / Size | Best for | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washable Kids Paint, 6 ct | Crayola | Washable tempera | 6 colors, 2 oz | Best Overall | 9.4/10 |
| 18-Color Large Washable Set | Nicpro | Washable tempera | 18 colors, large bottles | Color variety | 8.7/10 |
| 42-Color Washable Set | TMOL | Tempera + tools | 42 colors, with brushes | Big-value set | 8.6/10 |
| Washable Finger Paint | ABEIER | Finger paint | 12 colors, 1.21 fl oz | Toddlers (1+) | 8.8/10 |
| 42-Color Washable Tempera | JOYIN | Tempera, 5 textures | 42 colors, 2 oz | Tempera set | 8.5/10 |
| Washable Kids Paint Set, 12 ct | Crayola | Washable, classic + glitter | 12 colors, 2 oz | Starter set | 9.0/10 |
| 14-Color Bulk Washable | Nicpro | Washable tempera, pumps | 14 colors, 33.8 oz | Classrooms | 8.4/10 |
| Washable Tempera Bulk Pack, 10 ct | Cra-Z-Art | Tempera | 10 colors, 8 oz | Budget / bulk | 8.3/10 |
How We Chose These Paints
NoteEvery set here got used the way paint actually gets used in our house: dumped a little too generously, smeared on hands, and rinsed off in a hurry before dinner. We bought these sets ourselves, with no free samples steering the picks. We scored each on how cleanly it washed off skin, tables, and clothes, how bold the colors stayed, how well the caps held up, and whether the price matches what you get.
We did not judge any set on a single afternoon. Each one earned its place over several weeks at our kitchen table, one painting session after another, so we could see how it behaved once the novelty wore off and the caps had been opened and closed a dozen times. Washability especially only tells the truth after a run of real painting days, not one careful swipe, so we waited until skin, clothes, and the table had all taken a few hits before we made up our minds.
Reviews: The Best Washable Paints for Kids
Not all washable paints are created equal, and eight sets in, the differences were obvious.
1. Crayola Washable Kids Paint (6 ct) — Best Overall
Why We Love It
The Crayola Washable Kids Paint, 6 ct earned Best Overall because it washes off almost everything. When our 5-year-old painted her forearms as much as the paper, a warm-water rinse lifted it all with no scrubbing. The 6 classic colors stay bold in easy-grip 2 oz bottles, and it carries the ACMI AP seal, conforms to ASTM D-4236, and is rated for ages 3+.
Keep in Mind
The catch is size: those 2 oz bottles empty fast with daily use, and six colors means your budding artist will be mixing.
Bottom Line
We score it 9.4 out of 10, the easiest cleanup here.
Pros
- Washes off skin and clothing with no scrubbing
- Carries the ACMI AP seal and conforms to ASTM D-4236
Cons
- Small 2 oz bottles run out quickly
- Only six colors, so mixing is required
2. Nicpro 18-Color Large Washable Paint Set — Best for Color Variety
Why We Love It
Where Crayola keeps it simple, the Nicpro 18-Color Large Washable Paint Set goes wide. Eighteen colors in big squeeze bottles let our 8-year-old paint a full sunset without mixing, and the pigments are genuinely opaque. It meets ASTM D-4236 and adds a color wheel that became its own rainy-morning lesson.
Keep in Mind
The formula runs thin, so early coats looked watery until we learned to layer them. Washability is good but not flawless.
Bottom Line
We score it 8.7 out of 10, the palette to beat.
Pros
- 18 opaque, vibrant colors, no mixing needed
- Meets ASTM D-4236 and includes a color wheel
Cons
- Formula runs thin and may need a second coat
- Washability is good but not flawless
3. TMOL 42-Color Washable Paint Set — Best Big-Value Set
Why We Love It
If eighteen colors sounds generous, the TMOL 42-Color Washable Paint Set doubles down. You get 42 washable tempera bottles plus brushes, palettes, and a rinse bucket, so we opened the box and painted the same afternoon. The clear, labeled bottles helped our kids find and name each color, and the sealed caps kept the paint from drying out. It is marketed for finger painting from ages 6+.
Keep in Mind
The brushes are hit-or-miss and the light palettes tip if a child leans on them. TMOL lists the paint as non-toxic, but we found no confirmed ASTM D-4236 or AP seal claim.
Bottom Line
We score it 8.6 out of 10 for paint and gear per dollar.
Pros
- 42 colors plus brushes, palettes, and a rinse bucket
- Sealed flip-top caps and clear labeled bottles
Cons
- Bundled brushes and palettes feel cheap
- Non-toxic, but no confirmed ASTM D-4236 or AP seal
4. ABEIER Washable Finger Paint — Best for Toddlers
Why We Love It
Every set so far assumes a brush. The ABEIER Washable Finger Paint hands the tools to your toddler instead. Its 12 colors have a thick, creamy texture, and our 5-year-old skipped the brushes, pressing handprints and swirling two colors into a third. It is one of the few sets rated for ages 1+, conforms to ASTM D-4236, and is made for skin contact. Each pot holds 1.21 fl oz.
Keep in Mind
Finger paint soaks in, which cuts both ways. It washed off paper and skin easily, but the porous fabric and bare wood in our craft corner drank it up. Keep it on a wipeable surface and supervise the youngest painters.
Bottom Line
We score it 8.8 out of 10, our pick for first-timers.
Pros
- Thick, creamy texture built for sensory play
- Rated for ages 1+ and conforms to ASTM D-4236
Cons
- Soaks into porous fabric and bare wood
- Small 1.21 fl oz pots
5. JOYIN 42-Color Washable Tempera Set — Best Tempera Set
Why We Love It
The JOYIN 42-Color Washable Tempera Set matches TMOL's count but leans into texture. Its colors span five finishes, from classic and neon to pastel, metallic, and glitter, and that range kept both kids busy for a long stretch one slow Sunday. Every 2 oz bottle has an easy-squeeze cap, with brushes, palettes, and a rinse bucket included.
Keep in Mind
The glitter and metallic colors go on thin and see-through, reading far softer than the classic shades. JOYIN lists the set as non-toxic, with no specific ASTM D-4236 or AP seal claim.
Bottom Line
We score it 8.5 out of 10 as a pure tempera play set.
Pros
- 42 colors across five different finishes
- Easy-squeeze bottles plus brushes and palettes
Cons
- Glitter and metallic colors look faint
- Non-toxic, but no confirmed safety standard
6. Crayola Washable Kids Paint Set (12 ct) — Best Starter Set
Why We Love It
For Crayola's easy cleanup with more color, the Crayola Washable Kids Paint Set, 12 ct is the natural step up. It pairs 6 classic colors with 6 glitter shades in the same 2 oz bottles and rinses off with the same no-scrub ease as the 6-count. Rated for ages 3+, it makes a tidy first "real" paint set.
The glitter earned its keep on paper. Those six shimmer shades caught the light in a way the matte classics never do, and our 5-year-old reached for them first every time. The trade-off showed up at cleanup: the sparkle is the messier half of the box, and stray flecks of glitter lingered on hands and the table even after a rinse that carried the classic colors away without a trace. If washability is what you care about most, the classic six are the more reliable half.
Keep in Mind
Twelve 2 oz bottles still do not last forever, and the glitter shades are more novelty than everyday. If your child wants solid coverage, the sparkle may sit unused.
Bottom Line
We score it 9.0 out of 10, a confident starter set.
Pros
- 6 classic plus 6 glitter colors
- Same no-scrub Crayola washability, rated for ages 3+
Cons
- 2 oz bottles empty quickly
- Glitter shades are more novelty than everyday
7. Nicpro 14-Color Bulk Washable Paint (pump bottles) — Best for Classrooms
Why We Love It
Everything above suits a kitchen table. The Nicpro 14-Color Bulk Washable Paint is built for a room full of kids. Its 14 colors come in big 33.8 oz pump bottles that dispense a controlled dollop instead of a flood, ideal when many small hands help themselves. It shares the 18-color set's formula, is paraben-free, and meets ASTM D-4236.
The pumps are what set this one apart once we put a few kids to work at once. A press gives a small, controlled squirt instead of the flood a squeeze bottle turns loose, which cut the waste and kept eager hands from dumping half a bottle onto one page. The safety cap felt secure between sessions, and the big 1000 ml bottles stretched a long way, nowhere near empty after a stretch of busy painting afternoons, which is exactly what you want when the paint has to go around a whole table.
Keep in Mind
The bottles are heavy for a small child, so they work best on a low table with an adult pouring, and the thinner formula wants a second coat.
Bottom Line
We score it 8.4 out of 10, a high-volume workhorse.
Pros
- Large 33.8 oz pump bottles reduce spills
- 14 colors, paraben-free, and meets ASTM D-4236
Cons
- Bottles are heavy for small hands
- Thinner formula needs a second coat
8. Cra-Z-Art Washable Tempera Paint Bulk Pack (10 ct) — Best Budget/Bulk
Why We Love It
If the Nicpro bulk set is the premium option, the Cra-Z-Art Washable Tempera Paint Bulk Pack is the budget one. Ten 8 oz bottles of water-based, non-toxic tempera, made in the USA, gave us a mountain of paint for little. The bottles stack neatly and the nozzle helps kids dispense without flooding the page. It is rated for ages 3+ and rinsed off skin and clothing with warm water.
Keep in Mind
The black and brown caps look almost alike, so our kids grabbed the wrong one, and colors dry a shade lighter than they look wet. Red and purple can tint light clothes if a spill sits.
Bottom Line
We score it 8.3 out of 10, a genuine bargain.
Pros
- Ten 8 oz bottles for very little money
- Sturdy, stackable, made in the USA
Cons
- Black and brown caps look alike
- Red and purple can tint light fabric
How to Choose Washable Paint for Kids (Buyer's Guide)
A few things separate a set you reuse for years from one bound for the donate pile. Here is what we weigh before buying.
Paint Type: Tempera vs. Finger Paint vs. Acrylic
Kids' paint falls into three camps. Tempera is the classic roundup paint: opaque, matte, fast-drying, cheap, and mostly washable. Finger paint is thicker and creamier, made for direct skin play, so it suits toddlers. Acrylic is water-resistant and permanent once dry, harder to wash out, and best for supervised older kids. For something gentler, our guide to the best watercolors for kids covers that.
What "Washable" Really Means
"Washable" has a limited meaning. The paint is water-based and rinses from skin and most washable clothing with soap and water. It does not promise that every pigment vanishes from every surface.
Watch outWashable does not mean permanently stain-proof. On skin and sealed surfaces these paints rinse clean, but absorbent fabric, bare wood, and bold pigments like red and purple can still leave a faint tint if a spill is not treated promptly.
Safety & Non-Toxic Certifications (ASTM D-4236 / ACMI AP Seal)
The labels do the heavy lifting once you know what to read. The ACMI AP seal comes first, because it means a board-certified toxicologist found nothing in amounts that could harm a child. A "Conforms to ASTM D-4236" line means the formula passed a chronic-hazard review. Both trace back to the CPSC's art-materials labeling rule, which took effect in 1991, caps lead at 90 ppm in surface paint and 100 ppm in the substrate, and requires a fresh review every 5 years. Those labels give us real peace of mind, and our Crayola picks carry both.
Color Variety & Pigment Quality
More colors look exciting, but variety and quality differ. A big 42-color set keeps kids engaged and cuts mixing, yet specialty finishes like glitter, metallic, and neon go on thinner than the classic shades. A smaller set of bold, opaque colors, like the Crayola 6-count, is often more satisfying to paint with.
Age Appropriateness by Stage
Match the paint to the stage. For toddlers around ages 1+, a thick finger paint made for skin contact, like the ABEIER set, is safest. Preschoolers around ages 3+ are ready for washable tempera and a chunky brush, where the Crayola sets shine. Older kids handle bigger palettes, and sets like TMOL target ages 6+. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends water-based paints and skipping anything labeled to keep away from children.
Included Accessories & Value
A set with brushes, palettes, and a rinse cup lets you open the box and start, a perk on a rainy afternoon. But temper expectations: bundled brushes are usually average and light palettes tip easily.
Tips for Easy Cleanup & Fewer Stains
Skin, sealed counters, and brushes rinse clear with warm water alone. The real test is absorbent fabric, where prompt treatment matters and a few pigments still tint. Blot a fresh spill instead of rubbing it in, rinse from the back under cold water, and treat it before the dryer, since heat can set a mark. With a wipeable surface and a quick routine, cleanup really is close to a breeze. For the stubborn stuff, our walkthrough on how to get kids' paint out of clothes breaks it down by fabric and pigment.
Parent tipKeep a damp cloth and an old cover-up shirt within reach before the paint comes out. Wiping hands and the table as you go stops a small mess from becoming a big one, and keeps the session stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do washable kids' paints come off walls and carpet?
On sealed, wipeable walls they usually lift with a damp cloth and warm water. Carpet is absorbent, so blot quickly, avoid rubbing it deeper, and expect a bold pigment may leave a faint shadow.
Can I get dried, set-in paint out of clothes?
It is harder once the paint dries, and harder still after a hot dryer. Soaking and pre-treating help, but on very absorbent fabric some tint can stay, so treat spills while they are fresh.
Is it safe if my toddler tastes the finger paint?
Sets made for the youngest kids, like ABEIER, conform to ASTM D-4236 and are made for skin contact, so a mouthed finger is not an emergency. Non-toxic means safe in accidental amounts, but still discourage eating it.
Are "non-toxic" and "washable" the same thing?
No. Non-toxic is a safety claim, backed by the AP seal or an ASTM D-4236 statement. Washable is a cleanup claim about rinsing off with water. A paint can be one without the other.
Can these paints be used on canvas, wood, or a chalkboard?
Many washable tempera sets work on paper, cardboard, canvas, and even a chalkboard. Bare or porous wood is the exception, since it soaks paint in and may not wash clean.
Final Verdict
