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National Crayon Day

A fun observance on March 31 celebrating crayons, coloring, childhood creativity, and the history of this beloved art tool.

Wednesday
31
March 2027
Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team
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YEARLY DATEMarch 31
OBSERVED INUnited States
CATEGORYHobbies
SUBCATEGORYArts & Crafts
ORIGIN

Community Origin

FOUNDING ENTITY
Not documented
FIRST OBSERVED
2006
HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

The creator of this observance is unknown, though it has been celebrated since at least 2006. Crayola has participated by retiring colors on March 31 and promoting activities, but did not establish the holiday. No official proclamation or legislative record has been found.

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INTRO

Introduction

Celebrate National Crayon Day on March 31 by getting out your crayons and creating some colorful works of art! This special day has been around since the early 20th century, when it was first created to recognize the invention of wax crayons. It's a great opportunity for both children and adults alike to express themselves creatively with this timeless medium.

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TIMELINE

National Crayon Day Timeline

Crayola Crayons Launch

Binney & Smith create the first box of Crayola crayons, introducing a safe and versatile coloring tool for children.

Crayola Expands Color Range

Crayola expands its range to 30 different colors, giving children a diverse palette for their artistic expressions.

64 Colors Introduced

Crayola unveils a box of 64 crayons, including a built-in sharpener, revolutionizing the artistic possibilities for kids.

Crayola Factory Opens

The Crayola Factory opens in Easton, Pennsylvania, where children can see how crayons are made and participate in interactive exhibits.

Crayola's Centennial Year

Crayola celebrates its 100th anniversary with a crayon named "Centennial Blue" and special edition crayon boxes.

National Crayon Day Recognition

Crayola celebrates National Crayon Day by announcing plans to retire one of their colors and introducing a new color to the 24-count box.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Crayon Day

EDITOR'S PICK

Draw with crayons

Get out your crayons and draw something creative. Whether it's a still life, a landscape, or a self portrait, let your imagination run wild.

MAKE

Make a crayon sculpture

Take some of those unused broken crayons and make a sculpture or an art piece. You can search online for ideas, or get creative and make something completely original.

HOST

Host a coloring party

Gather up some friends and have a coloring party. Provide the crayons and paper, buy some snacks, put on some music, and have fun.

MAKE

Make a crayon craft

Take advantage of National Crayon Day to make something special with those colorful sticks of wax. Search Pinterest or Google for ideas, or just go with whatever comes to mind.

DO

Do a crayon drive

There are probably many children in your area who don't have access to the same kind of art supplies you do. Consider donating some of your extra crayons to schools or charities that help kids in need.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Crayon Day

Crayons help build relationships

Coloring together is a great way to connect with others and build relationships. Whether it's spending time coloring with your kids or enjoying some adult coloring time with friends, this enjoyable activity can foster happiness, understanding, and good memories for years to come.

Crayons bring out our creativity

We all have an inner artist inside of us, and crayons are the perfect tool for expressing that creativity. With the wide variety of colors available in the store, you can draw whatever your heart desires! Plus, it doesn't matter if you're 3 or 103 - crayons are fun for everyone!

It's a learned skill that makes us proud

There's something so rewarding about mastering a new skill like drawing with crayons. As we learn to properly hold them and color within the lines or create intricate shading techniques, we gain confidence in ourselves and feel proud of our accomplishments. So let those creative juices flow on National Crayon Day!

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