The Honeysticks Story
Every great idea begins with a simple observation.
For Honeysticks, that moment came in a preschool in Aotearoa, New Zealand, where the founder noticed something familiar to every parent and educator – young children naturally exploring the world by putting their crayons in their mouths. Looking more closely at the ingredients used in many conventional crayons raised an important question: why were children's first art materials made with petroleum-based paraffin wax and synthetic pigments?
The answer was to create something better.
Honeysticks was founded with the belief that children's creative tools should be as natural and thoughtfully made as the childhood they are designed to support. Using pure New Zealand beeswax and food-grade pigments, Honeysticks creates art materials that are safe for little hands, kind to the planet, and a joy to use.
Today, Honeysticks remains a family-run business with the same values at its heart: nurturing creativity, supporting children's development, and making products that parents can feel confident bringing into their homes. Every crayon is a reminder that the simplest materials are often the very best, allowing children to create freely while giving families peace of mind.
Thoughtfully Made, Naturally Better
At Little Acorns to Mighty Oaks, we believe that the materials children create with matter just as much as the toys they play with. That's one of the many reasons we love Honeysticks.
Every Honeysticks crayon is handcrafted in New Zealand using pure, sustainably sourced beeswax from local independent beekeepers. Beeswax is a remarkable natural material – produced by honeybees as part of their normal lifecycle and carefully collected after the honey harvest. Rather than being discarded, it is gently purified and transformed into beautiful crayons that are safe for little hands and a joy to use.
Unlike many conventional crayons, which are made using petroleum-derived paraffin wax, Honeysticks chooses a renewable, natural alternative. Combined with food-grade colour pigments, each crayon offers rich, vibrant colour without the chemical smell or unnecessary additives often found in traditional art materials.
That same thoughtful approach extends beyond the crayons themselves. Honeysticks is committed to reducing its environmental footprint by using recyclable and reusable packaging, while working towards eliminating virgin plastics from its products and packaging wherever possible.
Why We Love Honeysticks
- Crafted by hand in New Zealand using sustainably sourced natural beeswax.
- Coloured with food-grade pigments for bright, vibrant creativity.
- Naturally scented with the gentle aroma of pure beeswax — no artificial fragrances or chemical odours.
- Free from petroleum-based paraffin wax and unnecessary additives.
- Produced in partnership with local independent beekeepers.
- Packaged with sustainability in mind using recyclable and reusable materials.
To us, Honeysticks is a wonderful example of how children's products can be beautifully simple. By choosing natural, renewable materials and thoughtful manufacturing, they've created crayons that are kinder to children, kinder to the environment, and every bit as inspiring as the imaginations that use them.
From First Scribbles to Confident Writing: Choosing the Right Honeysticks Crayons
Every child follows their own creative journey, and the right crayon can make those early artistic experiences even more enjoyable. Honeysticks crayons have been thoughtfully designed to support children as their hand strength, coordination and pencil grip naturally develop – from those very first joyful scribbles through to confident drawing and early writing.
Whether you're choosing a child's very first crayon or looking for the next step as their skills grow, each Honeysticks range has been created with a particular stage of grip development in mind. From chunky, easy-to-hold Originals to the more refined Jumbos, there's a crayon to nurture creativity, build confidence and encourage a lifelong love of making and creating.
Stage 1: Scribble 🖍️
Every child's creative journey begins with a simple scribble. In the earliest stages, little hands naturally use a fisted grip, making chunky, easy-to-hold crayons the perfect choice. Honeysticks Originals are an ideal first crayon, while Honeysticks Triangles gently encourage the development of a more mature pencil grip as confidence grows. Thoughtfully designed for small hands, they make those first colourful marks both comfortable and joyful.
As children's hand control and confidence develop, they're ready to move beyond simple scribbles and begin creating more intentional drawings. At this stage, many children have developed a tripod grip, allowing them greater precision and control. Honeysticks Super Jumbos are the perfect next step, with their extra-long, chunky design offering comfort, stability and plenty of room for little hands to create, explore and express their growing imagination.
As children's fine motor skills continue to mature, they become ready for more detailed drawing, early writing and greater creative precision. Honeysticks Jumbos are thoughtfully sized for children who have developed a more controlled pencil grip. Slightly larger than a standard crayon, they provide comfort while allowing greater accuracy, making them an ideal companion as children progress from drawing into writing throughout their early school years.
Find the Stage 3 collection here
The Honeysticks Bath Collection
At Honeysticks, creativity isn't limited to the playroom. Their natural bath collection brings the same thoughtful approach to everyday routines, transforming bath time into an opportunity for imaginative play, sensory exploration and joyful creativity.
Made in New Zealand using natural beeswax, soy wax and food-grade ingredients, Honeysticks Bath Crayons have been designed with little ones in mind. Free from paraffin wax and unnecessary additives, they offer a more natural alternative for children who love to draw, colour and experiment.
We love that Honeysticks understands that children learn through exploration. A bath can become a canvas, a place to mix colours, create pictures and let imaginations run free — all while using materials that are gentle on young skin and kinder to the planet.
And when the fun is finished, the creativity doesn't leave behind a lasting mess. Honeysticks Bath Crayons are designed to wipe away easily with warm water and a soft cloth, allowing children the freedom to create while keeping clean-up simple for parents.
Beautifully made, naturally inspired and full of possibilities, the Honeysticks Bath Collection brings creativity into one of the most treasured parts of the day, encouraging children to play, explore and express themselves in a wonderfully simple way.
Find the Honeysticks Bath Collection here
Honeysticks FAQ
WHAT ARE HONEYSTICKS MADE FROM?
All our Honeysticks products are made from natural and food grade ingredients. Although we do not make food products, by using food grade ingredients our products are safer and better for children if they happen to put them into their mouths.
ARE THERE ANY CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR HONEYSTICKS PRODUCTS?
Your Honeysticks must be kept out of direct sunlight, stored in a safe dry place away from children when not in use.
WHAT PIGMENTS ARE USED TO CREATE YOUR COLOURS?
We blend and create all our colours from food grade pigments. Although we do not make food products, by using food grade ingredients our product is safer and better for children if they happen to put them into their mouths. We use only food grade approved pigments in all of our products.
DOES HONEYSTICKS CONTAIN ANY ALLERGENS?
Our beeswax crayons are non-toxic and free of the top 8 allergens (Milk, Eggs, Fish ,Crustacean Shellfish, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat and Soybeans) Our bath crayons contain soy which is used to soften the crayon. These are made on the same machines as our beeswax crayons so there could be a chance of cross contamination.
DO YOU USE PARRAFIN WAX IN YOUR CRAYONS?
NO! Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil. We don't want any of that near kids!
WHAT IS THE WHITE POWDER ON MY CRAYONS?
You may see a light powdery appearance on your Honeysticks crayons. This is called Blooming. This blooming naturally forms on the surface of most beeswax after a period of time. The bloom is harmless it's actually a sign of pure beeswax and can be removed by simply wiping the crayon with a soft cloth.
