15 Crayons, Markers, and Art Supplies You Forgot Existed
These quirky, colorful, and sometimes oddball art supplies once filled our pencil boxes — and then vanished.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Art class was never just about drawing. These supplies were wildly fun, occasionally frustrating, and quietly disappeared as we grew up. If any of these bring back a rush of school supply aisle memories, you are not alone.
1. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
Mr. Sketch on Wikimedia Commons
These fruity-scented markers were a classroom favorite and a total sensory experience. Every kid had a favorite scent, but everyone avoided the black one that smelled like licorice. Just one whiff could take you right back to third grade.
2. Crayola Color Switchers
Chris Metcalf on Wikimedia Commons
These dual-ended markers let you draw in one color, then flip to the white end to reveal a secret color change. It felt like magic the first time you saw it work. Unfortunately, they dried out quickly, which is probably why they vanished.
3. Gel Pens That Skipped Constantly
TylerDignam on Wikimedia Commons
These pens were gorgeous when they worked, especially the metallic and glittery ones. However, they skipped constantly and sometimes just gave up mid-sentence. Every notebook had at least one half-written note in faded silver.
4. Magic Rub Erasers
Kaviyadharshini Selvakumar on Wikimedia Commons
These white erasers were a go-to for art students and perfectionists. They promised clean lines and smudge-free fixes. However, they wore down fast and left behind a mess of white crumbs.
5. Crayola Metallic Crayons
Crayonsman on Wikimedia Commons
The metallic set made every drawing feel a little more futuristic. They looked amazing on dark paper, even if they were tough to sharpen. Not every kid had them, but the ones who did were instantly cool.
6. Blow Pens
Eliazar Parra Cardenas from Guadalajara, Mexico on Wikimedia Commons
You placed the pen in a plastic tube and blew air through it to spray color. It sounded fun until you accidentally inhaled instead. Still, they made wild airbrush effects that no other marker could pull off.
7. Crayola Stamp Markers
Frans van Heerden on Wikimedia Commons
Each marker had a fun stamp on the end — stars, hearts, or smiley faces. The idea was cooler than the result, since the stamps rarely worked well. However, when they did, your notes were instantly adorable.
8. Glitter Glue Bottles
Personal Creations on Wikimedia Commons
These tiny bottles made every project look festive. The only problem was that the glue never fully dried or ended up warping the paper. Still, it was hard to resist squeezing out just a little sparkle.
9. Erasable Colored Pencils
ThoBel-0043 on Wikimedia Commons
The promise was great — draw in color and erase your mistakes. But the erasers usually just smudged the page or tore it. You kept using them anyway, holding out hope they would finally work.
10. Crayola Mini Twistables
Crayonsman on Wikimedia Commons
No sharpening needed, just twist and keep coloring. These minis were great for on-the-go creativity. However, they were so tiny that you could never find them when you actually needed them.
11. Puffy Paint Bottles
~delta on Wikimedia Commons
This paint dried raised and squishy, giving your T-shirts and posters some serious texture. It also had a way of getting everywhere. One wrong squeeze and your masterpiece turned into a mess.
12. Poster Markers That Bled Through Everything
SilmaraBeijo on Wikimedia Commons
Big, bold, and practically neon, these were made for school projects. They also bled through paper faster than you could say “science fair.” Every page underneath ended up a rainbow mess.
13. Crayola Triangular Crayons
JD Hancock from Austin, TX, United States on Wikimedia Commons
Shaped so they would not roll off the table, they were also supposed to be easier to grip. They felt weird compared to classic crayons, but teachers loved them. Most kids still stuck to the round ones.
14. Invisible Ink Pens
Charles Barilleaux from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America on Wikimedia Commons
Write secret messages that only show under UV light. These pens were peak spy gear for school-age kids. Until you lost the light, and your masterpiece was gone forever.
15. Watercolor Pencils
Shiftchange on Wikimedia Commons
They looked like regular colored pencils, but a dab of water turned them into paint. You always felt like a real artist when the colors bled together just right. Most of the time, though, the paper got too soggy and warped before you could finish.