Introduction
Back to School is around the corner! At Programit we are working to make this Back to School season easier for everyone. We aim to recommend quality products that teachers will be happy to have in class, make affordable products accessible to parents, and supply stationery that the children will love using! Finding a balance between quality and price can be tricky, which is why this Back to School review series was created. The goal is to help teachers and parents decide what products they want students to use in the classroom during the school year.
Retractable Crayons, also known as Wax Twisters or Wax Crayons, are a great supply for younger students, starting from Grade R, as the design helps prevent the crayon from breaking as easily, resulting in the product lasting longer. The Retractable Crayon is often considered a more practical, clean, and durable alternative to traditional crayons, allowing the same colouring experience while producing less classroom waste and lasting longer.
This review features some of the brands of Retractable Crayon we have in stock. All pricing is for Back to School, 2025.
Nexx Retractable Crayons
The Nexx Retractable Crayons set of 12 costs R 40.99, R 3.42 per crayon. It is the most affordable set in this review. These
crayons are easy to use and the colours are pigmented.
The crayons did not leave many crayon crumbs on the paper, which will aid in keeping the page clean. The crayon was easy to twist. The barrels are generally thinner, making it difficult for very young children to grip. One of the cons of the Nexx Retractable Crayons is that it is made from thinner plastic and the mechanism that holds the crayon in place could eventually wear out. I could easily dislodge the crayon from its barrel, and rehouse it within the mechanism. The affordable price and the pigmentation of these crayons are the biggest advantages of investing in this brand.
Amos Retractable Crayons
The Amos Retractable Crayons set of 12 costs R 58.85, averaging around R
4.90 per crayon. These crayons have a buttery texture and they are easy to use.
The pigmentation could be improved, and some of the colour choices are not standard. For example, the red has a pink or purple undertone, and the dark blue seems almost transparent. Some of the pigment also appeared patchy, the purple crayon left patches of darker pigment when colouring. The crayons left a few crumbs, but it did not cause any smudging or significant problems. The crayon was easy to twist, and the thicker plastic made the crayon feel sturdier and more durable. It took a lot of effort to pull the crayon from its housing, making these crayons a durable option.
Bostik Retractable Crayons
The Bostik Retractable Crayons set of 12 costs R 62.13 for the set
and works out to R 5.18 per crayon. The pigmentation is a bit transparent, but
the colours are still identifiable.
The crayons are easy to use, and the barrels are easy to grip and feel sturdy. I was able to pull some of the crayons from the barrel, and some of the crayons were not as easy to twist. Overall, the Bostik Retractable Crayons are easy to use, but the brand could be improved. The scanned swatch card unfortunately made the purple of this set seem much darker than it is in reality.
Faber-Castell Retractable Crayons
The Faber-Castell Retractable Crayon set of 12 costs R 62.33,
averaging R 5.20 per crayon. These crayons are very pigmented, bright, soft, easy
to use and comfortable to colour with.
The pigment is opaque. The crayon did not leave many crumbs. The barrels are thick and easy to hold, and the crayons are easy to twist. I could easily pull the crayon from its housing, which is the biggest drawback of this brand. With the midrange price, high quality and pigmentation, I recommend this retractable crayon brand.
Staedtler Noris Club Retractable Crayons
The Staedtler Noris Club Retractable Crayons set of 12 cost R 62.40,
with each crayon costing R 5.20. The colours are easy to identify on
paper, and they are smooth to draw with.
The crayon formulation makes them seem slightly transparent, but
overall, there aren’t any problems with the pigment. The barrels are somewhat
clouded, which makes it difficult to tell certain colours apart, such as the
red and the pink. This could be confusing to younger students. Overall, the
crayons seem durable and good quality, however, the higher price is a drawback.
Monami Retractable Crayons
The Monami Retractable Crayons set of 12 costs R 67.06 for the set and
works out to R 5.59 per crayon. The colours are easy to identify and easy to
colour with.
The blue colour that I used seemed to be more transparent, however, the pigmentation on the other colours that I tested was fine. An issue I came across while working with the Monami Crayons that I did not experience with the other brands was that the crayon would retract while I was colouring. This makes it very difficult to colour and would be very frustrating to younger students. Although it only happened with two of the testing crayons, it is a brand new pack and indicates that these are prone to do so.
Conclusion
Each classroom is unique, and the right stationery and supplies are an essential element of facilitating education. Quality and affordability are both important, and we would like to sell products that prioritize both. We value knowing what the teachers and students need in the classroom, making each day of education something the students can look forward to. Hopefully, this review helps summarize all the details and helps to make this Back to School the best yet!
If you have any ideas on what you’d love to see in the Back to School boxes this year, leave us a message on the website. We hope that you found this review helpful.