Choosing Safer Products: Art and Craft Supplies

PRODUCT TYPE:	CHOOSE	AVOID
Glues and adhesives	Glue stick White “library” paste White wood glue, such as Elmer’s^TM School Glues Adhesive tape	Rubber cement Model glues Spray adhesives Contact cement “Super glue” Epoxy
Drawing materials	Water-based markers, preferably unscented Crayons Colored pencils	Permanent markers Dry-erase markers
Paint	Water-based children’s paints in solid or liquid form, such as tempera, poster paints, and paint pans Acrylic paints are also water-based but should be avoided (they can contain ammonia and formaldehyde)	Oil-based paints Paint thinners Spray paints Artists’ paints Acrylic paints Powdered paints
Modeling clays	Making your own is best (recipe available here). Otherwise, choose from these alternatives to polymer clays: Flour-based clays, such as Play-Doh Earth-based clays, such as Crayola Air-Dry Clay Oil-based clays, such as Plasticine	Polymer clays (such as Fimo^TM), which are made of vinyl/PVC
Ceramics and pottery	Glazes with an AP (Approved Product) logo from the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) Contact manufacturers to make sure glazes do not contain lead	Glazes for professional artists Glazes that are not lead-free
Craft pieces	Metal-free pieces such as popsicle sticks, cotton balls, fabric pieces, yarn, beads, and buttons	Pieces made of metal, such as costume jewelry and charms, which may contain lead
Aprons and smocks	Aprons and smocks made of PVC-free materials such as cotton, nylon, and polyester	Aprons and smocks made of vinyl/PVC or coated with vinyl/PVC

Healthy Tips:

To learn more about toxic chemicals in art and craft supplies, read our Art and Hobby Supplies fact sheet.
Avoid children’s products that do not have Non-Toxic seals from the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI). Products with the seal are not necessarily non-toxic but are a better choice than products without the seal.
Avoid products for professional artists and products for adults labeled with the ‘CL’ or ‘HL: Cautions Required’ marks from the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI).
Check at home for any products that have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission [www.cpsc.gov]

A Sample Healthy Craft Kit for Kids:

Children’s crayons
Colored pencils
Glue stick and/or white glue
Water-based markers
Water-based children’s paints
Colored paper
Fabric pieces
Yarn
Stamps and water-based ink pads
Scissors (age-appropriate)
Adhesive tape