Find Safe Art supplies for Kids-2

There is lot more to know about Art supplies, when we talk about the safety they offer. Here are some more of what we learnt in our earlier article on the same matter.

Crayons and Markers: Petroleum-based crayon sales might have slowed down but they are still available in the market. The word 'Non-Toxic' is quite popular with art supplies and kids toys but do you know what makes the others toxic? Oil pastels are usually petroleum-based, even ordinary crayons are so..these days, water-soluble or washable crayons have made life easier..they are more non-toxic than the others. Easy to use and can be washed off..just then they are more brittle than the traditional crayons. Unscented crayons are made more these days. Soy-based crayons are made from sustainable soybean oil. There might be an assumption among parents about the brightness of these friendly products...they are as brighter as the older versions.

In India, we are used to introducing letters and writing to children with the help of a Slate and Chalk, traditionally. Dustless chalk is better...even in a School or College environment, these dustless chalks can make breathing easier for the students and teachers. Colored Eco-Pencils, products of Sustainable Forestry Initiative and recycled wood are other options of coloring supplies. Just make sure to stay away from conventional dry-erase markers, they contain harmful neurotoxin Xylene, and Permanent markers emit fumes...Sketch pens come these days in Washable options, they are safer than the older versions with toxins and chemicals.

Paints: Water-based colors, Water-soluble and non-toxic Acrylic paints are beginning to be available in the market. Chroma Brand Tempera paints are safer as they remove some of the hazardous ingredients during the production process. Water-based Tempera paints are easy to use. Instead of using oil paints that emit fumes and require turpentine, a petroleum-based product to clean the brushes, it is better to follow the shine-less look with Acrylic and Tempera. Sametime, make sure the Acrylic paints you purchase donot have Formaldehyde or Ammonia. Even Aerosol paint sprays are harmful when inhaled, hence they should be applied in a well-ventilated space, using protective nose and eye masks.

Canvas: Fabric used to make canvas boards or canvas screens can be made from recycled, unbleached cotton. Afterall, you buy a white canvas board to paint on it, then why look for a bleached, whitest white board ?! The board used to stretch the fabric can be made from recycled wood instead of fresh wood.

Modelling Clay and such: Non-toxic clays are available in the market, these days. They are even Gluten-free, made from wheat-free to flour to avoid gluten allergies among children and adults. Even the colors used can be controlled when they are natural. Homemade modelling clay ideas can be found on the internet, they are more eco-friendly, safer and affordable versions. For school modelling projects, one can consider using paper mache, made from old newspapers, recycling used post envelopes, advertisement brochures etc. tutorials are numerous on the web. Store-bought paper mache might contain harmful chemicals and fibers. Polymer clays are available in the market but they contain PVC or Vinyl.

Arts and Crafts if nurtured and encouraged bring out the most creative of the creative people there in the world...it is wonderful to cherish their works, even wonderful to realise that they dont leave a bad footprint on the Earth, by using the 'safest, eco-friendliest' supplies.

..Prathyusha