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National Crayon Day
March 31
National Crayon Day is celebrated annually on 31 March, marking the anniversary of the first box of Crayola crayons, which was produced on this date in 1903. The day celebrates the creative joy of colouring and drawing with crayons, encouraging children and adults alike to pick up a crayon and create something.
How to Celebrate National Crayon Day
National Crayon Day is for everyone — from toddlers to artists to nostalgia-loving adults. Here is how to make the most of it:
- Organise a colouring session — Set out crayons and colouring books for the family. Adult colouring books have become hugely popular for stress relief, so this activity works for all ages.
- Create original crayon artwork — Move beyond colouring books and create freehand drawings, melted crayon art, or crayon resist paintings (draw with crayons, then paint over with watercolours for a striking effect).
- Make melted crayon art — Line up old crayons on a canvas and use a hairdryer to melt them, creating colourful drip patterns. This craft project has become a favourite on social media and produces vibrant wall art.
- Donate crayons to a school or charity — The National Crayon Collection initiative collects and redistributes used crayons to schools in need. Gather unused or gently used crayons from around your home and donate them.
- Visit a children’s art museum — Many museums offer hands-on art activities using crayons. Check whether your local museum is running National Crayon Day events.
- Teach a child to draw — Sit down with a child and draw together. Crayons are often a child’s first introduction to art, and the experience of creating something together is invaluable.
- Try Crayola’s retired colours — Over the years, Crayola has retired more than 50 crayon colours. Research the retired colours and see if you can find vintage boxes that include them — some have become collector’s items.
- Share your creations online — Post your crayon artwork using the event hashtags. Whether it is a child’s first drawing or an adult’s masterpiece, every creation deserves to be shared.
What is National Crayon Day?
National Crayon Day is an annual celebration of the humble crayon and its role in childhood creativity, art education, and self-expression. The day has been celebrated since 2006 and is closely associated with Crayola, the world’s best-known crayon brand. Crayola often uses National Crayon Day to make announcements — including retiring old colours and introducing new ones — turning the day into a major cultural event for art lovers and collectors.
When is National Crayon Day?
National Crayon Day is on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. The date is fixed and commemorates the anniversary of the first box of Crayola crayons in 1903.
The History of National Crayon Day
The history of National Crayon Day is inseparable from the history of Crayola. In 1903, the Binney & Smith Company — based in Easton, Pennsylvania — introduced the first box of Crayola crayons on 31 March. The initial box contained eight colours: black, brown, blue, red, violet, orange, yellow, and green. It sold for five cents. Alice Binney, the wife of company co-founder Edwin Binney, coined the name “Crayola” by combining the French word craie (chalk) with oleaginous (oily).
Crayons as a concept predate Crayola by centuries. The word “crayon” comes from the French word craie, meaning chalk, and the Latin creta, referring to earth. Early crayons were made from mixtures of charcoal and oil, and later from wax and pigments. What Binney & Smith achieved was creating a crayon that was safe, non-toxic, affordable, and durable enough for children’s use — a combination that had not previously been available. If you enjoy celebrating creativity and education, National Stationery Week in May is another excellent opportunity to appreciate the tools that inspire learning.
Since 1903, Crayola has produced more than 200 billion crayons. The company’s colour palette has expanded from the original 8 to over 120 standard colours, with specialty ranges pushing that number even higher. Crayola has also developed a tradition of retiring colours on National Crayon Day — the company has retired over 50 shades since 1990, including “Dandelion” in 2017, which was replaced by the crowd-sourced “Bluetiful.” The crayon was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999 as one of the original honourees, alongside the teddy bear and Barbie.
Fun Facts About National Crayon Day
- Crayola has produced more than 200 billion crayons since 1903 — enough to circle the globe over 200 times if laid end to end.
- The average American child will have used 730 crayons by their tenth birthday.
- The first Crayola box contained just 8 colours and sold for five cents in 1903.
- The crayon was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in November 1999 as one of the original honourees.
- Crayola has retired over 50 crayon colours since 1990, with some retired shades becoming valuable collector’s items.
- The most popular Crayola crayon colour is blue, according to multiple consumer surveys over the years.
Why National Crayon Day Matters
Crayons represent the beginning of creative expression for millions of children. They are often the first art tool a child uses, sparking imagination and developing fine motor skills. National Crayon Day celebrates this role and reminds us that creativity does not require expensive materials — a simple box of crayons and a sheet of paper is all it takes. The day also supports art education, with many schools and organisations using the occasion to promote drawing, colouring, and creative play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Crayon Day?
National Crayon Day is an annual celebration on 31 March honouring the crayon and its role in childhood creativity. It commemorates the anniversary of the first Crayola crayons, produced on this date in 1903.
When is National Crayon Day in 2026?
National Crayon Day is on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
Why is National Crayon Day on 31 March?
The date marks the anniversary of the first box of Crayola crayons, which was introduced by Binney & Smith on 31 March 1903. The day has been celebrated in its current form since 2006.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your crayon creations on social media with #NationalCrayonDay and #CrayonDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to draw something using only crayons!
Related Awareness Days
- National Stationery Week — Running in mid-May, this celebration of pens, paper, and creative tools is perfect for stationery lovers and artists.
- International Children’s Book Day — Celebrated on 2 April, this day promotes reading and creativity among young people.
- 404 Day — A quirky celebration on 4 April that celebrates creative thinking and internet culture.
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