An art set’s piece count can combine coloring tools, paper and storage. Before choosing the biggest number on the box, separate the supplies your child will use from the extras that help organize them. A smaller set with the right materials can be a better fit than a large case full of supplies you already own.
Sort the contents into four useful groups
| Group | What to count | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Coloring tools | Crayons, markers, pencils and chalk, separately. | Which drawing methods the kit supports and how many individual tools are included. |
| Consumable project materials | Paper sheets, sticker sheets, glue tubes or other supplies used up while making projects. | What you may need to replenish first. |
| Reusable equipment | Rubbing plates, stencils, handles, cases or trays. | What remains useful after the included paper or glue runs out. |
| Instructions and accessories | Guides, labels and other extras. | What helps start or organize a project without becoming another coloring tool. |
Twenty markers do not necessarily mean twenty distinct colors. Broad and fine tips, washable and specialty markers, or repeated shades can be separate pieces. Match the actual contents list to the activity instead of treating every component as equivalent.
Example one: a mixed coloring case
The Crayola Imagination Art Set, item 041053, is advertised as a 115-piece set. Its named coloring supplies are 56 crayons, 14 Washable Super Tips markers, 14 Washable Pip Squeaks Skinnies markers and 15 short colored pencils. Those four groups add up to 99 individual coloring tools.
The contents also name 15 large paper sheets, three rubbing plates built into the carrying case, and a guide. Do not turn “115 pieces” into “115 crayons and markers,” or force every accessory into an invented counting formula. The useful comparison is what the set lets its owner do: use crayons, two marker formats and short pencils, with paper and texture plates included.
Example two: a specialty effects case
The All That Glitters Art Case, item 046887, focuses on glitter and metallic effects. Its listed contents differ:
- Eight glitter crayons and eight metallic crayons.
- Three glitter markers and five glitter chalk sticks.
- Five glitter-glue tubes.
- Thirty construction-paper pieces and a color-your-own sticker sheet.
- A reusable carrying case with a handle.
This is a different mix, rather than a smaller substitute for the same 99-tool case. It suits projects where glitter glue, metallic crayons or chalk are specifically wanted. The Imagination case gives more conventional coloring tools; the glitter case supplies more paper and specialty materials. Neither list establishes a current discount.
Compare the next project and the first refill
For drawing on blank paper, count the crayons, markers or pencils your child prefers and check the paper size. For cards or decorations, construction paper and glue may matter more. If you already have a large crayon collection, another box of crayons adds less practical value than a material you are missing.
Ask what happens when the included supplies are used. Ordinary paper can be a straightforward refill when it fits the intended activity. A specialized project may need the exact refill format, adhesive or surface described in its instructions. Do not assume every marker, chalk or glue works on every material.
Check storage and age guidance on the exact kit
A carrying handle helps move a case, but useful storage also depends on whether the tools have places to return to. Check the closed dimensions against the shelf or travel bag where it will live. A case pictured open does not show how much space the entire opened setup needs on a table.
Use the current age guidance and instructions on the exact package you are buying. Similar names or earlier editions can have different contents. When buying for several children, look at the number and type of tools that can be used at once; a high piece count does not guarantee duplicate supplies for every person.
Record the exact kit number, tools wanted, paper needs and refill plan in your shopping list. Our other shopping guides help compare package contents before buying.
Product contents reviewed October 22, 2026. This is a buying guide, not a live offer roundup.