We are so proud that we have been able to introduce you to so many fun and exciting brands and toys this year. And one brand that we are super excited about is Kitpas. Our Kitpas range not only includes Kitpas Dustless Chalk but also the popular Kitpas Art Crayons, a new innovative material with several special attributes.
In this blog post we would like to give you a few ideas what you can do with Kitpas Art Crayons, how you can make use of their special attributes during fun art and craft sessions and answer your most frequently asked questions. But first we'd like to give you a little overview about how Kitpas products are manufactured because at Oskar's Wooden Ark, we don't only stock great products that are open-ended and beneficial for your children, we also take a close look at the company behind the products and how they treat the environment and their employees.
Kitpas Art Crayons and Dustless Chalk are manufactured by Nihon Rikagaku Industry Co, a family business that was founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1937 by Yozo Oyama and is now led (in its fourth generation) by President Takahisa Oyama, Yozo’s great-grandchild. Nihon Rikagaku Industry Co focuses on manufacturing high quality products for their customers while running a business that not only supports and treats their employees well but also the environment. In 1960 Nihon Rikagaku Industry Co started the “Intellectual Disability Employment Program” by employing two young adults with intellectual impairments. This program has been growing over the years and by changing and adapting their manufacturing methods and work environment, the Oyama family business is proud to have established a safe workplace for over 50 employees with mental and physical and/or intellectual impairments.
30 years after Nihon Rikagaku Industry Co had started trading, the company expanded and built a second factory in Bibai-shi, Hokkaido. Bibai-shi, which translates to “beautiful shell city,” had severe problems with the disposal of huge amounts of scallop shells from the seafood industry which were causing a threat to the environment. Nihon Rikagaku Industry Co created a patented chalk production technique that recycles scallop shells by pounding them and mixing them with traditionally used limestone-based calcium carbonate. This process not only ensures that the primary ingredient of the chalk production comes from a renewable, recycled material but it also makes Kitpas chalk stronger, smoother and longer lasting!
In 2005 Nihon Rikagaku Industry Co introduced Kitpas Art Crayons, a new innovative material with several special attributes. Unlike regular crayons, Kitpas Art crayons can adhere to multiple surfaces including paper, glass, mirrors and whiteboards. They are buttery smooth, vividly coloured, water soluble as well as completely non-toxic (meeting EN71 safety regulations) and easy to clean up. Kitpas Crayons are a hit with both parents and children and won Japan’s prestigious “Stationary of the Year Award” in 2009.
Kitpas Art Crayons come in different sizes and shapes which allows children of different ages to explore and handle them without any difficulties. Kitpas Art Crayons are recommended for children 3 years and older and are not suitable for children under 36 months (choking hazard due to small parts). If you want to use Kitpas Art Crayons together with younger children, it has to be done under adult supervision.
Children enjoy their vibrant colours and buttery smooth texture and love creating with them as well as using them for different art projects. Their innovative characteristics also make them a great tool for play and learn activities.
One of the attributes that makes Kitpas Art Crayons so special is that they are water soluble and can be used as water colours. You can scribble and mix the colours inside the compartments of the larger sets or any other container and then use the Kitpas Water Brush to add some water and turn them into water colours. If you like, you can also create a drawing first and then use the Kitpas water brush to turn the drawing into a water colour painting.
📸 by Allie @woodentoyplay
Kitpas Art Crayons' ability to adhere to multiple surfaces such as glass, mirrors and whiteboards allows children and adults to create beautiful window art. Drawing on a vertical surface has many benefits. It improves shoulder and elbow stability and it allows children to make bigger arm movements which provide strength and flexibility to arm and shoulder muscles and joints. While being upright children have to engage their core and back muscles to stay balanced while moving their arms in different directions which facilitates good posture.
All Kitpas Art Crayons are suitable for drawing on windows. Kitpas Medium Stick Crayons 16 colours, Kitpas Large Stick Crayons 12 colours and Kitpas Medium Stick Crayons 12 colours were used to create these beautiful window drawings below.
📸 by Kelly @mumz.world 📸 by Allie @woodentoyplay 📸 by Ruth @a.day.for.play
Even though Kitpas Art Crayons adhere well to different surfaces, they can also be removed easily with a damp soft cloth from non-porous surfaces such as glass, mirrors, certain plastics and whiteboards. Use Kitpas Art Crayons to create sorting activities by drawing onto containers, magnetic tiles or plastic bottles and ask your children to sort items according to their colour or shape. If you're finished with the activity or want to mix it up, simply wipe off your drawings.
Kitpas Medium Stick Crayons 12 Colours were used for this activity.
📸 by Jana @playroomstories
Kitpas Art Crayons can easily be utilised in learning activities. Whether you want to keep the kids happy and engaged at home or in the car, our Kitpas Art Crayons add a whole lot of fun to your everyday activities.
1. Eye Spy Game
Cover a printout that shows different items with clear contact paper or laminate the printout to create a wipeable surface. Pop the covered printout into a frame and let your children colour out each item they spy during a roadtrip or on the way to the shops. Once you've arrived at the location, wipe the crayons off and the frames are ready to be used again.
2. Mirror painting
Practise observational skills by drawing self-portraits straight onto a mirror. Ask your children to trace their reflections and colour in the details. Children can check out different hair colours and styles without touching their actual hair 😉
Please be extra cautious when using mirrors and use child-safe/acrylic mirrors if possible.
Simple and easy craft projects that can be created within a short period of time but are lovely to look or can be used for other activities are always a hit. Here are two craft projects that are fun, stylish and can be used over and over again. And if you use Kitpas Art Crayons for them, they'll turn out extra bright and beautiful.
1. Colour Wheel for Rainbow Nature Hunt
Cut out a cardboard ring and divide the ring into multiple sections. Use Kitpas Art Crayons to colour in the sections in different colours. Cover the the ring with contact paper and take the colour wheel on a rainbow nature hunt. Ask your children to collect natural treasure that match or closely match the colours on the ring. Use pegs to secure the treasures. Creating the colour wheel and going on a nature hunt are a lot of fun. Engage your kids in conversations about the different finds and ask questions about their treasures. This is a fantastic learning activity and of course, a fun way to get the kids moving outside.
2. Dreamcatchers, garlands and mobiles
Simply draw some feather shapes onto paper, cut them out and colour them in using Kitpas Art Crayons and then place them inside laminating pouches and run them through the laminator. Cut around the feather shapes, poke a hole into the end of the shaft and string them onto a piece of cord to make a garland or hang them onto a wooden ring to create a mobile or dreamcatcher. Hang the dreamcatcher near your bed to get rid of bad dreams or hang the garland on the wall to brighten up your room.
Kitpas Large Stick Crayons 12 Colours were used to create these craft projects.
📸 by Jana @playroomstories 📸 by Kate @exploringlifetogether_
I hope this blog post inspired you and your children to get your craft on and start creating with Kitpas Art Crayons. Make sure to check out our large Kitpas art and craft range, it includes so many fun items. And if you have any questions, please read the FAQs below or leave us a comment.
Happy crafting,
Jana
Q: What's the recommended age is for Kitpas Art Crayons?
A: Kitpas products are recommended for ages 3+. They are, however, completely non-toxic and hypoallergenic making them safe for little ones.
Q: Do the crayons wipe off that easily? Even after they've been left on glass for many days?
A: In most instances, you should still be able to clean Kitpas crayon markings off a flat smooth glass surface with relative ease. Please have a look at the video below. Kitpas doesn't recommend drawings to be left on for prolonged periods. For further information, please refer to the official Kitpas FAQs.
Q: What happens if it’s used on the wall? Is it also easy to be removed?
A: We do not recommend usage on walls. However, we understand that it is sometimes unavoidable. We would recommend testing it out on an inconspicuous patch first as walls and paint generally defer in their ability to resist stains. If your children have drawn on the walls, please wipe off any drawings immediately.
Q: We’re loving these crayons but have ended up with quite a bit on the carpet. What’s the best approach for getting it out of carpet and clothes?
A: Kitpas Art Crayons are water soluble and therefore, stains on clothes should disappear after clothes have been washed. For more detailed cleaning advice, please refer to the official Kitpas FAQs.
Q: How do Kitpas Art Crayons compare to Stockmar Crayons in size?
A: Kitpas Art Crayons Large are slightly bigger in size compared to Stockmar Crayons and the medium Kitpas Crayon is slightly smaller. Left to right: Kitpas medium with holder, Kitpas large, Stockmar stick, Kitpas medium, Kitpas block, Stockmar block.
📸 by Kim @two.little.kids
Q: Do the Kitpas fit in the Treasures from Jennifer holder?
A: Kitpas Art Crayons come in two different sizes and the medium Kitpas sticks are slightly thinner than the Stockmar Crayons and the large Kitpas Crayons are bigger and don't fit into the holder. The Kitpas blocks fit into the Treasures from Jennifer holder. However, Treasures from Jennifer are currently designing a Kitpas Crayon and Block holder for us and we will add the link to it here once it's available.
Q: Is the Kitpas holder reusable? Will I be able to insert a regular medium after?
A: Yes, refills for the Kitpas Crayon holders will be available soon. We will add the link to them here once they have arrived.
Q: Can Kitpas Art Crayons be used in the bath too?
A: Kitpas Art Crayons are not designed to be used for the bath, as such we cannot recommend it. Kitpas has specifically designed Kitpas Crayons for Bath.
The classic set of 12 Kitpas Large Stick Crayons is the perfect starter set for young children due to their large size. This increases durability, is easier to grip and withstands large amounts of colouring. They are buttery smooth, vividly coloured as well as water soluble too - just add water and it instantly turns into watercolour paint. The case in which the crayons come in has 2 small compartments to mix colours and water paints as well.
The Kitpas Water Brushes are designed to be used in conjunction with the Kitpas Art Crayons to turn any Kitpas Crayon into watercolour paint. As all Kitpas Crayons are water soluble, a simple squeeze of the pen enables water to trickle down into the brush tip to allow the mixing of the Crayon and the water to create a watercolour effect. It makes painting a less messy experience as there is no possible spillage with the absence of cups of water and paintbrushes.
