Rasmetak guides · For parents
Alcohol markers and children: what parents should know
The short answer
Alcohol markers use ink dissolved in alcohol and have a smell, so they aren't a toy for young children — especially little ones who still put things in their mouths. Older children can colour in a well-ventilated room with an adult around, capping each pen after use and following any age or safety warning printed on the box. We don't have a safety certificate from our supplier for children, so we make no health claims. For very young children, water-based colours are a better fit. As a gift for a child who loves drawing, the Touch 24-colour box (JD 4) or the Artist Starter Pack (JD 6) is a good start, with you nearby.
Last updated:
In this guide (6 sections)
What parents should know
- The ink is alcohol-based: that's why it dries fast and has a noticeable smell, especially with many pens open at once.
- Not a toy: it's made for colouring and drawing, not for play or for mouths. The caps are small, so keep them away from little ones.
- No safety certificate: we have no certificate from our supplier that sets a suitable age or confirms anything about safety, so we make no health claims. Follow any warning printed on the box.
- Away from flames and heat: like anything containing alcohol.
- It goes through paper: put paper or a mat under the work so it doesn't reach the table.
From what age?
We have no certified age, so here is our advice by stage — not a safety promise:
| Stage | Alcohol markers | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Little ones who still put things in their mouths | No | Children's water-based colours or crayons |
| Younger school children | Only with an adult beside them, in short sessions, in a ventilated room | A simple-line book with their usual water-based colours |
| Older children and teenagers | In a ventilated room with an adult nearby | The 24 or 60 box |
General advice from us. If your child has asthma or is sensitive to smells, ask your doctor first.
Simple rules for a calm colouring session
- A ventilated room: open a window, and take out only the pens in use, not the whole set.
- Short sessions: take breaks, especially for younger children.
- An adult nearby: especially the first few times.
- Cap each pen when done with it: it keeps the pen from drying and cuts the smell.
- Wash hands: after colouring and before eating.
- A mat under the work: a large sheet of paper or an old tablecloth.
Marker on clothes or hands?
- Hands: soap and water; the mark fades after a few washes.
- Clothes: act before it dries — put a tissue under the stain and dab it from the back with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol, testing a hidden spot first. The alcohol is for adults only, so keep it with you. Then wash as usual. Large or old stains may not come out completely, so an apron or an old shirt is a good idea.
- Tables and sofas: prevention is easier — a mat under the work from the start.
- Acrylic markers: dried acrylic paint is hard to get out of fabric, so take extra care.
Gifts for children who love drawing
- Touch 24-colour box: JD 4, a small size to start with.
- Artist Starter Pack: a 24 box, a Bobbie Goods-style colouring book and a fineliner, for JD 6.
- Bobbie Goods-style book: simple lines that suit younger children, for JD 2, and it works with their water-based colours too.
You pay cash on delivery and can open and check the order before paying. More ideas by budget in our gift guide, and the difference between alcohol and acrylic in our alcohol vs acrylic guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are alcohol markers harmful?
The ink is dissolved in alcohol and has a smell, so use them somewhere well ventilated, and they aren't for young children. We have no safety certificate from our supplier, so we make no health claims; follow any warning printed on the box.
From what age are alcohol markers suitable?
We have no certified age. Our advice: not for little ones who still put things in their mouths, only with an adult beside them for younger school children, and in a ventilated room for older ones.
Is the smell strong?
There's a noticeable alcohol smell, especially with many pens open at once. An open window and capping each pen after use make it milder.
How do I get marker out of clothes?
Quickly, before it dries: dab the stain from the back with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol after testing a hidden spot, then wash it. Old stains may not come out completely.
What should I get a 9-year-old who loves drawing?
The Artist Starter Pack (JD 6): a 24-colour box, a simple-line book and a fineliner. Colour together the first few times, somewhere well ventilated.
Are acrylic markers better for children?
Their paint is water-based according to the box, but it's hard to get out of clothes once dry, and we have no safety certificate for them either. The same rules apply: supervision and an apron.
Can I check the order before paying?
Yes — you pay on delivery and can open and check the order before paying the courier.