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There are very few things in this world that can instantly transport you back to being seven years old. But the smell of a brand-new, freshly opened box of crayons? That is pure, unadulterated time travel.

This Tuesday, March 31, is National Crayon Day.

Invented in 1903 by cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith, the first box of Crayola crayons contained just eight colors and cost a nickel. Today, crayons are a universal symbol of childhood imagination. But coloring isn't just for kids trying to stay inside the lines at a restaurant. It is a highly tactile, deeply therapeutic activity for adults who spend way too much time staring at glowing screens.

Whether you are looking for an easy weekend craft for your toddlers or a mindful evening activity for yourself, here is how to celebrate the vibrant, waxy wonder of the crayon.

Why We Celebrate: The Tactile Rebellion

We live in a world of pixels, Apple Pencils, and digital tablets. A crayon is wonderfully, stubbornly physical. It breaks. It wears down to a blunt nub. It gets wax on your hands.

The Big Why: We celebrate because putting a physical color onto a physical piece of paper forces us to slow down. It is a low-stakes, high-reward creative outlet that requires absolutely no artistic talent to enjoy.

🌟 Editor's Pick 🌟

If you are going to celebrate National Crayon Day, do not settle for the standard box of 24. You deserve the ultimate childhood flex.

The Amazon Find:

Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection (152 Pieces)

Why we love it: When you were in first grade, the kid who had the massive box with the built-in sharpener was royalty. This is the grown-up version of that. It features 152 distinct colors—including metallics and glitters—all beautifully displayed in a multi-tiered, rotating desktop caddy. It is visually stunning, keeps the crayons perfectly organized, and guarantees you will always have the exact shade of "Cerulean" or "Fuzzy Wuzzy" you need.

Perfect for: The family craft table or the nostalgic adult who loves to color.

Get the Crayola Ultimate Collection on Amazon 

2 More Ways to Make Today Memorable (and Colorful)

1. The "Broken Nub" Solution (The Gadget)

Every parent has a Ziploc bag full of broken, wrapper-less crayon stubs that they refuse to throw away but no one wants to use.

• The Move: The Waxy Upcycle.

• The Amazon Find: Crayola Crayon Melter

• Why we love it: This brilliant tool turns those useless stubs into liquid art. You peel the paper off a broken crayon, drop it into the back of the heated pen, and it melts the wax so you can draw, doodle, and write with liquid crayon on canvas, wood, or cardboard. It completely reinvents how older kids and teens interact with their old art supplies.

• Shop the Crayola Crayon Melter on Amazon 

2. The "Mindful Minute" (The Book)

Coloring has been proven to relax the fear center of your brain (the amygdala) and induce the same state as meditating.

• The Move: The Digital Detox.

• The Amazon Find: "Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book" by Johanna Basford

• Why we love it: Johanna Basford practically invented the adult coloring book craze. Her intricate, hand-drawn ink illustrations of enchanted forests and hidden gardens are mesmerizing. Taking 20 minutes before bed to color these pages with a sharp colored pencil or a fine-tip crayon is the perfect way to wind down without scrolling through social media.

• Get the "Secret Garden" Coloring Book on Amazon

The "Zero Dollar" Hack: The Muffin Tin Makeover

You don't need to buy a special gadget to give old crayons a second life. You just need your oven.

• The Trick: The "Franken-Crayon."

• The Method: Gather all your broken, dull crayon pieces and peel off the paper wrappers. Break them into small chunks. Place a silicone baking mold (or an old muffin tin lined with foil) on a baking sheet.

• The Bake: Group complementary colors together in the molds and bake at 250°F (120°C) for 15-20 minutes until completely melted.

• The Result: Let them cool and pop them out. You now have massive, multi-colored, swirly "Franken-Crayons" that are incredibly fun for toddlers to use and look like pieces of modern art.

Join the Conversation

Crayola is famous for its highly specific, sometimes hilarious color names.

What is your all-time favorite crayon color?

(Are you a "Tickle Me Pink" fan, or do you strictly use "Macaroni and Cheese"?)

Drop your favorite shade in the comments on Instagram or TikTok and tag us @OnManyOccasions!