My Toddler Ate a Crayon: Are Crayons Toxic, and What Should I Do?

This page repeats what poison centers have published. It is not medical advice, and we add none of our own. A poison center can talk about your child and the exact product. We cannot.

Are crayons toxic?

Poison centers say no, or only minimally. The Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) rates the toxicity of crayons as "minimal to none." It explains that crayons are generally made from wax and coloring, that the ingredients are considered non-toxic, and that most cases will not need medical attention (CHOP).

The Illinois Poison Center uses the words "minimally toxic" and says crayons can have a mild laxative effect if eaten (Illinois Poison Center).

Poison Control, the US National Capital Poison Center, lists crayons among common non-toxic items, next to chalk, pencils and ink pens. It defines a non-toxic substance as one that is not expected to cause symptoms or be dangerous (Poison Control).

All three add the same warning. A crayon can still choke a child.

What should I do right now?

First check breathing. If your child is choking or has trouble breathing, call your emergency number now. In the US that is 911.

If your child is breathing normally, here is what two US poison centers say to do:

• CHOP: give water and small snacks to help with the taste and an upset stomach.
• Illinois Poison Center: if your child has no symptoms, give a few sips of water and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or coughing.
• Both: call the poison center if symptoms develop, or if you have any question or concern.

In the US, the poison center number is 1-800-222-1222. The call is free and confidential, and CHOP notes its line is staffed by pharmacists and nurses. Poison Control also runs an online tool, webPOISONCONTROL, and says help by phone or online is available 24 hours a day (Poison Control).

Outside the US, use your own country's poison information line or emergency number. The numbers on this page are US numbers.

Other kinds of contact, as the same two centers describe them:

What happened	What the poison centers say
Crayon eaten or chewed	Water, and small snacks if wanted. Watch for an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea
Crayon wax in the eyes	Rinse the eyes with water for 15 minutes. Call the poison center if irritation stays
Skin irritation	Wash with soap and water. Call the poison center if it does not settle
Choking or trouble breathing	Call emergency services at once (911 in the US)

When is it an emergency?

When breathing is affected. CHOP and the Illinois Poison Center both say to call 911 for choking or difficulty breathing. The Illinois center also says to call 911 if someone is unconscious.

Poison Control describes a real case that shows why. A mother called because her daughter had swallowed a blue crayon and her lips had turned blue. The crayon was not poisonous. The child had inhaled it, and it was partly blocking her airway. Her lips were blue from lack of oxygen. She was taken to the emergency room by ambulance, treated, and recovered (Poison Control).

So the question to ask first is "Is my child breathing normally?" and only then "Is it poisonous?"

Call the poison center, not emergency services, when your child is breathing normally but:

• vomiting, diarrhea or coughing does not stop (Illinois Poison Center)
• eye or skin irritation does not go away (CHOP)
• you are not sure what the product was, or you are simply worried

Poison Control's own advice is that you sometimes cannot tell whether something is poisonous, and that this is the reason to ask.

What do the AP and CL seals on art supplies mean?

They are certification marks from the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), a US-based body. The AP seal is the one to look for on children's supplies.

• AP (Approved Product). ACMI says a board-certified toxicologist has evaluated the product and found no materials in amounts that would be toxic or injurious to humans, including children. ACMI says to check for this seal on creative products for children in sixth grade or younger (ACMI).
• CL (Cautionary Labeling). ACMI says the product is properly labeled for known health risks, with instructions for safe use. It is meant for adults and older children. ACMI says never to give a CL product to a child in sixth grade or younger, and that the seal appears on no children's materials.

CHOP gives the same tip: buy art materials certified as non-toxic and look for the AP seal. Poison Control says products with the AP seal are the ones to use with young children.

Two more things worth knowing. ACMI says that AP products are generally not a cause for concern if swallowed by accident, but that a person can still be allergic or sensitive to an ingredient. And in the US, federal rules require art materials to have a toxicological assessment at least every five years, with a statement such as "Conforms to ASTM D-4236" on the product where practicable (US Consumer Product Safety Commission). Other countries have their own rules and marks.

Are markers, colored pencils and paint the same?

Mostly, according to Poison Control, but each product is a little different. Its article on art products says that in 2024 US poison centers took more than 15,000 calls about children who got into arts and crafts products, and that most of these cases lead to no effects or only minor symptoms (Poison Control).

Product	What Poison Control says
Pencils	Pencil "lead" is not really lead. It will not make a child sick if swallowed
Markers	Water-soluble markers are not usually harmful. Most other felt-tip markers do not cause poisoning if small amounts of ink are swallowed
Ballpoint pens	The very small amount of ink is not harmful
Chalk	Swallowing a piece does not cause poisoning, but a piece stuck in the throat can block the windpipe
Erasers	Not poisons, but they can get stuck in the throat
School glue	Most school glues are not poisons
Water-based paint	May mildly irritate the skin or mouth. Very large amounts may cause vomiting
Oil-based paint	May contain solvents and can cause poisoning

The Poison Control article does not have a separate entry for colored pencils, so we do not state one here. For any product not in this table, or any product made for adults, call the poison center and read them the label.

Why do toddlers eat crayons, and how do I stop it?

Because toddlers explore with their mouths. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that 2-year-olds still put objects in their mouths (AAP). CHOP says it is fairly common for curious children to chew on crayons, and Poison Control says many young children will swallow or chew colorful art products.

The poison centers we read do not give a method for stopping the habit. What they do give are these prevention tips:

• No food or drink at the art table. CHOP and Poison Control both say not to eat or drink while using art products.
• Choose certified supplies. Look for the AP seal.
• Read the label and follow its instructions (Poison Control).
• Wash up afterward. Hands, tools and the table (Poison Control).
• Mind the size. CHOP compares crayons to any toy that can fit into a child's mouth. Poison Control advises keeping small non-toxic items out of a little one's reach because they can choke.

If your child eats crayons or other non-food things often, that is a question for your child's doctor. We have no source to offer on it, so we say nothing more.

For help choosing what to put on the table at each age, see crayons, markers or pencils and coloring for 2-year-olds.

FAQ

What happens if a toddler eats a crayon?

Usually little or nothing, according to poison centers. CHOP says an upset stomach is the most common symptom. The Illinois Poison Center mentions a possible episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Both warn about choking.

Should I make my child vomit?

None of the poison center pages we read tells parents to do this. They say to give water and to call the poison center with any concern. Ask the poison center before doing anything else.

Is it safe if the box says "non-toxic"?

Poison Control explains that non-toxic means not expected to cause symptoms or be dangerous. It also stresses that young children can choke on non-toxic products. Non-toxic does not mean safe to eat.

What is the Poison Control number?

In the US it is 1-800-222-1222, free and confidential. In other countries, look up your national or regional poison information service, or call your local emergency number.

Are crayons OK for a 2-year-old?

The AAP suggests crayons or finger paints as creative activities for 2-year-olds, and also notes that children this age still put things in their mouths. Poison centers recommend supplies with the AP seal.

Sources

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Poison Control Center, "Crayons": https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/poison-control-center/crayons
• Illinois Poison Center, "My Child Ate: Crayons": https://www.illinoispoisoncenter.org/my-child-ate/crayons/
• Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center), "Non-toxic substances: Can they harm my children?": https://www.poison.org/articles/nontoxic-substances-can-cause-worry
• Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center), "Safe use of art products": https://www.poison.org/articles/safe-use-of-art-products
• Art and Creative Materials Institute, "Materials Safety": https://www.acmiart.org/materials-safety
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Art Materials Business Guidance": https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Art-Materials
• HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Hand and Finger Skills for 2 Year Olds": https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/Hand-and-Finger-Skills-2-Year-Olds.aspx