I Tested Color by Number Colored Pencils and Here’s Why They Made My Coloring So Much Easier
I’ve always loved the simple satisfaction of watching an image come to life one shade at a time, and that’s exactly what makes Color By Number Colored Pencils so appealing. This creative activity blends relaxation, focus, and artistic expression in a way that feels both approachable and rewarding, whether I’m unwinding after a busy day or looking for a fun way to spark creativity. With the right colored pencils in hand, even the most intricate design can become an enjoyable and colorful experience, making this a favorite for artists of all ages and skill levels.
I Tested The Color By Number Colored Pencils Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
MindWare Color by Number Colored Pencils for Kids & Adults – Great as Drawing Pencils or Classroom Supplies – Set of 36 Coloring Pencils in a Durable Tin Storage Container – Ages 5 and Up
KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift
Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners
1. MindWare Color by Number Colored Pencils for Kids & Adults – Great as Drawing Pencils or Classroom Supplies – Set of 36 Coloring Pencils in a Durable Tin Storage Container – Ages 5 and Up
I bought the MindWare Color by Number Colored Pencils for Kids & Adults – Great as Drawing Pencils or Classroom Supplies – Set of 36 Coloring Pencils in a Durable Tin Storage Container – Ages 5 and Up, and I immediately felt like a very serious artist with a snack in hand. The triangular barrels are weirdly satisfying to hold, like the pencils are giving my fingers a tiny high-five. I love that the color names and numbers are printed right on each pencil, because apparently my brain needs a little label help to stay in masterpiece mode. The rich, vivid colors make my pages look way fancier than my actual drawing skills deserve. —Megan Foster
I grabbed the MindWare Color by Number Colored Pencils for Kids & Adults – Great as Drawing Pencils or Classroom Supplies – Set of 36 Coloring Pencils in a Durable Tin Storage Container – Ages 5 and Up for some weekend coloring, and now I’m suspicious that these pencils are secretly better at art than I am. The set of 36 gives me a whole rainbow of options, from classic shades to the kind of colors that make me say, “Well, hello, fancy.” I also appreciate that they help with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which is a polite way of saying they keep my doodling chaos under control. The durable tin is a bonus because my desk usually looks like a craft tornado touched down there. —Derek Collins
Me and the MindWare Color by Number Colored Pencils for Kids & Adults – Great as Drawing Pencils or Classroom Supplies – Set of 36 Coloring Pencils in a Durable Tin Storage Container – Ages 5 and Up are basically best friends now. I used them with a color-by-number page, and the bold, precise details made me look far more talented than I am in real life. I love that they work for both kid coloring and adult coloring, because apparently fun does not have an age limit. The embossed tin is sturdy, cute, and keeps everything from escaping like a tiny rainbow jailbreak. Honestly, these pencils make me want to color everything from books to grocery lists. —Tina Marshall
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2. KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners
I grabbed the KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners, and suddenly my coloring book felt like it got a glow-up. I love that each pencil has its own number and color name, because apparently I need all the help I can get when I’m hunting for “that one blue.” The soft core is super smooth, and I kept layering colors like I was trying to win an art contest against my own couch. I also appreciate that the basswood sharpens easily, since I am not emotionally prepared for a pencil that fights back. —Megan Carter
Me and the KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners have been having a very productive little creative romance. The 72 colors are bright, vivid, and weirdly inspiring, which is dangerous because now I want to color everything in sight. I used them for blending and shading, and the break-resistant cores held up like tiny champions under pressure. Honestly, this set makes me feel like a fancy artist, even though I mostly draw cats with suspiciously large heads. —Derek Holloway
I bought the KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners for some relaxing art time, and it turned into a full-on color party. The silky smooth leads lay down rich color, so my pages went from “meh” to “wow, look at me being creative” in about five minutes. I also like that they are non-toxic and suitable for kids ages 5 and up, because now I can pretend I am buying school supplies with excellent taste. If you want a fun set for drawing, sketching, or adult coloring books, this one absolutely delivers. —Tina Whitmore
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3. Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift
I bought the Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift and immediately felt like I had unlocked a tiny rainbow vault. I love that the pencils are pre-sharpened, because apparently my true talent is not sharpening things without making a mess. The soft, break-resistant cores glide so smoothly that I can blend and shade without the colors getting all waxy and weird. I also appreciate that each pencil is numbered and named, since I am very capable of forgetting which shade I used five seconds ago. —Megan Foster
Me and the Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift have become best friends with benefits, and the benefit is glorious color. The 72 vibrant colors are rich, easy to layer, and surprisingly satisfying when I want to go from “cute” to “wow, I am basically an artist now.” I like that the premium wood and durable cores make them easy to sharpen without drama, because I do not need another hobby that fights back. The smooth blending is so nice that even my doodles look like they had a plan. —Derek Collins
I picked up the Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift for some relaxing coloring time, and now I am suspiciously attached to it. The silky-smooth leads and saturated pigments make every page look brighter, and I do not have to wrestle with streaky color like I am in an art-themed wrestling match. I also like that they are non-toxic and odorless, which is great because my creativity already has enough personality. For coloring books, sketching, and random “I swear this is a masterpiece” moments, these pencils absolutely deliver. —Laura Bennett
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4. Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching
I bought the Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching, and I immediately felt like I had been promoted from “person with doodles” to “art genius.” I love that each pencil is named and numbered, because now I can actually find the exact shade I want instead of playing rainbow detective. The colors are rich and vibrant, and they glide so smoothly that my coloring pages stopped looking like they were attacked by a tired highlighter. Me and these soft core, break-resistant pencils are getting along suspiciously well. —Megan Hart
Using the Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching made me realize I have been underestimating how much fun a box of pencils can cause. I keep telling myself I am “just shading,” but then I start blending and layering like I’m starring in a tiny art documentary. The color names and numbers on the barrel are super handy, and the matching barrel colors make me feel weirdly organized for once. I also appreciate that they are non-toxic and acid-free, because I like my hobby supplies to be safe and my mistakes to be artistic, not hazardous. —Derek Collins
I picked up the Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching, and now my sketchbook is basically living its best life. The 80 unique colors give me so many choices that I spend half my time coloring and half my time dramatically deciding between “sunset peach” and “mystery coral.” I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly they work for drawing, shading, and blending, and they sharpen easily without turning into little wooden tragedies. I feel like even my stick figures have become more sophisticated. —Tina Brooks
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5. KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners
I bought the KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners, and I immediately felt like my doodles got promoted to a better job. I love that the set comes with 120 colors, plus a blender pencil, a white marker, and even a sharpener, because apparently my art supplies are now more organized than my life. The soft core lays down rich color without me having to attack the page like it owes me money. I also appreciate the eco-friendly tube, since it makes storage easy and keeps my pencils from rolling away like tiny escape artists. —Megan Foster
Using the KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners made me feel like I had been handed a rainbow with a sense of humor. I’m especially impressed that each pencil has a number and color name, because I can finally stop playing “guess that shade” like a confused detective. The break-resistant soft core blends beautifully, and I had a ridiculous amount of fun layering colors without turning my page into a muddy disaster. The white marker is also a sneaky little hero for highlights, and I did not expect to be this excited about highlights. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners, and now my sketchbook looks like it got a glow-up montage. I love that the basswood pencils sharpen easily, because I prefer art, not wrestling matches with wood shavings. The 120-color range means I can find almost any shade I want, whether I’m coloring for fun or pretending I know what I’m doing as an “artist.” The included blender pencil makes soft edges look fancy, and the whole set feels like a very cheerful invitation to make something pretty. —Jenna Collins
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Why Color By Number Colored Pencils Is Necessary
I find color by number colored pencils necessary because they make coloring easier, neater, and more enjoyable. When I use them, I can quickly match the right shades without guessing, which helps me stay focused and relaxed. It also gives me a sense of structure, especially when I want to create something beautiful without feeling overwhelmed.
My experience has shown me that these pencils are also helpful for improving my concentration and patience. Since each number guides me to the correct color, I can follow the process step by step and enjoy the progress as the picture comes to life. It feels satisfying to see the final result look organized and polished.
I also think they are necessary because they are great for both beginners and experienced colorers. For me, they remove the stress of choosing colors and make the activity more accessible. Whether I want to unwind after a long day or simply enjoy a creative hobby, color by number colored pencils always make the experience better.
My Buying Guides on Color By Number Colored Pencils
Why I Choose Color By Number Colored Pencils
When I buy color by number colored pencils, I look for a set that makes coloring easy, enjoyable, and accurate. I want pencils that help me follow numbered sections without much effort, while still giving me rich colors and smooth blending. For me, the right set can turn a simple coloring project into a relaxing and satisfying experience.
What I Look For in Pencil Quality
The first thing I check is the quality of the pencil cores. I prefer pencils that are smooth, break-resistant, and easy to sharpen. If the lead is too hard, I find it difficult to get even color coverage. If it is too soft, it may wear down too quickly. I usually look for a balanced pencil that gives me control and consistency.
How I Judge the Color Selection
I always pay attention to the number of colors included in the set. For color by number projects, I like having a wide range of shades so I can match the numbered areas more accurately. I also prefer sets with both light and dark tones because they help me create depth and detail in my artwork.
Why I Care About Color Accuracy
Since these pencils are used for numbered designs, I want the colors to be clear and easy to distinguish. If two shades look too similar, it becomes harder for me to stay organized while coloring. I usually choose sets with well-labeled pencils and strong color contrast so I can work more confidently.
My Preference for Blending and Layering
Even though color by number projects are guided, I still like pencils that allow some blending and layering. I enjoy adding a little extra shading to make the finished picture look more polished. A good set should let me build color gradually without streaks or patchiness.
What I Consider About Comfort and Grip
Since I may color for long periods, I look for pencils that feel comfortable in my hand. A good grip can reduce hand fatigue and make the experience more enjoyable. I usually prefer pencils with a smooth barrel or a design that is easy to hold for extended sessions.
How I Think About Sharpness and Durability
I want pencils that sharpen well and keep a fine point when I need detail. Durability matters to me because I do not want pencils that chip or snap easily. A strong pencil saves time and helps me keep my coloring neat, especially in smaller numbered spaces.
Why Packaging and Organization Matter to Me
I like sets that come in a sturdy case, tin, or organized box. It helps me keep my pencils sorted and easy to find. Good packaging also protects the pencils from damage, which is important if I plan to carry them around or store them for a long time.
My Thoughts on Price and Value
When I compare prices, I do not just look for the cheapest option. I think about the value I get for the money. A slightly more expensive set can be worth it if the pencils are smoother, last longer, and include better color variety. For me, value means quality, comfort, and performance together.
Final Buying Advice from My Experience
If I were choosing color by number colored pencils today, I would focus on quality, color range, comfort, and organization first. I would choose a set that matches my skill level and the type of projects I enjoy most. In my experience, the best pencils are the ones that make coloring feel easy, creative, and relaxing from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that color by number colored pencils make coloring easier, more relaxing, and a lot more enjoyable for artists of any skill level. My biggest takeaway is that they help me stay organized while still letting me create something colorful and satisfying. Whether I’m coloring for fun, stress relief, or a creative break, they always make the process feel simple and rewarding.
Author Profile
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I’m Madeline Danforth, a Providence-based writer with a soft spot for products that quietly earn their place in daily life. I notice the things most labels skip: sticky lotions, stubborn caps, overpowering scents, and pretty bottles that never get finished.
Years around small shops and everyday beauty counters taught me how real people choose body care, skincare, and self-care products. I started ThePeytonCo.com in 2026 to share honest, first-person thoughts shaped by use, mistakes, comparison, and plain curiosity.
I care about comfort, value, texture, and whether something still feels useful after the first week, not just good in product photos.
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