eeBoo 32 Oil Pastels
(eeBoo $10.95 Score:)

Rich colors to choose from I this set of non-toxic oil pastels. They come in a slide out box with sturdy tray that will keep them well stored between uses. Although pastels can be blended, these come with a rich variety of hues making it possible to achieve real variety by switching from one pastel to another. There are six shades of green alone and a wonderful collection of reds, blues and more. The set ranges from pastels to jewel tones. Of course, pastels are messier than crayons, so protect the table surface they work on and their clothes. 5 and up, up, up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2013.

Shake It up, America Etch-A-Sketch
(Hasbro $17.99 Score:)

Picking up on this year's political banter, the folks at Etch-A-Sketch have provided both blue and red versions of their classic product.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

eeBoo Double-sided Pencils
(eeBoo $7.50 Score:)

There are 12 pencils with 24 colors, since each pencil has two colors. High math! These are standard size pencils. Choose a set of pastel colors or a different set with primary colors. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2012.

Faber-Castell Drawing and Sketching
(Faber-Castell $11 Score:)

A beginner's drawing kit with four graphite pencils, hard and soft, a sharpener, eraser, one medium and one fine tip black marker, one black brush tip pen, a pouch for these items. The kit also includes a 24-pg spiral sketchbook, six sheets of drawing paper, eight sheets of vellum paper, and a copy grid. A well-done 24 page instruction booklet also introduces various techniques for exploring drawing. 9 & up.

Age: Later School Years, Tweens, Teens. Award Year: 2012.

Dot to Dot Markers To Go
(Alex $19 Score:) An updated version of Markers to Go with a new see through red polka dotted vinyl finish. Both boys and girls will enjoy using this container with 50 assorted colorful markers that unfolds like a make-up case with a velcro closure. (Don't let the make-up case reference throw you off- this will appeal to boys as well. It has blue trim and a green handle). There are four zippered compartments that hold 28 fine tip markers, 14 brush tip markers and 8 broad markers. Great for homework assignments and traveling with an young artist. Makes a terrific birthday present.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2002.

Alex's Markers to Go
(Alex $14 Score:) Fifty assorted markers now come in a new see-through fold-up case-a doodler's delight! Great for posters, school projects or other artful moments. (800) 666-2539.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Alex Chubby Colored Pencils
(Alex $10 Score:) These pencils have thicker "lead" and an easier-to-grasp hexagonal shape, and are especially wonderful for beginners. SNAP These fat colored pencils are ideal for kids who cannot grasp traditional pencils. ACTIVITY: Rainbow Writing: write a letter in one color, have child trace with another color.Now add a third color and have your child trace in a fourth color. A playful way to give your child a feel for letters.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: .

Jumbo GRIP Colour Pencils
(Creativity for Kids $10 Score:) 12 color pencils have built-in finger grips. Color and then apply water with brush for watercolor effects. Comes with its own sharpener. (800) 311-8684. SNAP: These are thinner than the Alex colored pencils and lend themselves to older kids who would still benefit from finger grips built-in to the pencils. These are very special since after they draw they can turn lines into paint with a bit of water on a brush.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: .

Crayon Sticks
(Elmer's $2.99 Score:) These oversized crayons are softer than most and will be easier to grasp. These are fine for encouraging big sweeping arm motion and tracing or free-form drawing. (888) 435-6377. SNAP AWARD: ACTIVITY: Use these on big shhets of paper on the floor, a table or easel. For developing eye hand these give juicy results- something like thick colored markers, but greasy. They may smudge some so, a shirt to cover up clothes may save some trouble.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Paint Ice Jewelry
(3M $13.99 Score:) Make a whole wardrobe of rings and bracelets with the five funky rings and four bracelets. Jewelry is made of clear plastic that you paint on the underside. Kids can use decals as well as paints to make stripes, spots and other designs. A fine brush and bright paint do the task with ease. But kids do need to wait between colors so the colors dry one at a time. Also a good choice for a play date with enough pieces to go around. 8 & up. (800) 666-2539.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2005.