Review #1 — Top Pick

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils Soft Core, 12 Count

Bottom Line These are the real deal. If your child is serious about art — or you just want tools that don't fight them — Prismacolors are worth every penny.

The soft core on these is noticeably different from cheaper pencils — colors go down smoothly, layer beautifully, and blend without tearing paper. A 12-count feels small, but the quality of each pencil makes lessons genuinely enjoyable rather than frustrating.

Yes, the soft core breaks if dropped, and yes, they cost more. But for a homeschool student learning real color theory and blending, fighting with waxy, scratchy pencils that won't layer is a waste of lesson time. These remove that obstacle entirely.

Pros

  • Exceptional pigment and vibrancy
  • Blends and layers like a dream
  • Soft core feels natural to use
  • Great introduction to artist-grade tools
  • Works beautifully on mixed media paper

Cons

  • Only 12 colors in this set
  • Soft core breaks if dropped
  • Higher price per pencil
  • Requires gentle sharpening habits
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Review #2 — Best Value

Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils Soft Core Art Set

Bottom Line For the price, 72 colors with decent pigment is a genuinely good deal — especially for younger kids or art-heavy unit studies where variety matters more than depth.

Seventy-two colors means your kids will actually have the right shade of blue-green or dusty rose when they need it, which eliminates a lot of mid-lesson frustration. The soft core performs well for the price, though you'll notice the difference if you put them side-by-side with Prismacolors.

These are a solid everyday homeschool set — perfect for nature journaling, copywork illustrations, and geography projects where you want lots of color options without spending $80+. They hold up reasonably well with regular use, just keep them in the case.

Pros

  • 72 colors covers nearly every need
  • Genuinely affordable price point
  • Soft core lays down smoothly
  • Comes in a sturdy carry case
  • Great for younger students

Cons

  • Blending not as smooth as premium sets
  • Some colors lighter than they appear
  • Tips can break with heavy pressure
  • Case can feel bulky for small workspaces
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Review #3 — Best Mid-Range

finenolo 36 Pack Colored Pencils Soft Core Art Drawing

Bottom Line A strong middle-ground set — enough colors for serious projects, quality that outperforms its price, and a size that's genuinely manageable for everyday homeschool use.

Thirty-six colors hits a sweet spot that I genuinely appreciate — broad enough to work with, focused enough that kids aren't overwhelmed choosing between seventeen shades of blue. The soft core on these performs surprisingly well, with richer pigment than you'd expect at this price.

For older elementary and middle school students doing illustration-style projects, botanical drawing, or nature journaling, these land in a satisfying place. They're not Prismacolors, but they hold their own and won't disappoint a student who's starting to take art seriously.

Pros

  • 36 colors is a practical, usable range
  • Better pigment than the price suggests
  • Manageable set size for focused work
  • Good for intermediate students
  • Comfortable to hold and use

Cons

  • Newer brand, less established track record
  • Blending good but not exceptional
  • Fewer color options than 72-count sets
  • Limited availability compared to name brands
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Our Picks at a Glance

Which Set Should You Buy?

It really comes down to what stage your student is at and how seriously you're pursuing art in your homeschool. Here's the short version:

Top Pick
Prismacolor Premier 12 Count
For serious art students who want artist-grade quality
Best Value
Soucolor 72-Color Set
For everyday projects, younger kids, and color variety on a budget
Best Mid-Range
finenolo 36 Pack
For older beginners who want quality without overspending

If I could only tell you one thing: don't let the price of Prismacolors scare you off if you have an artistically motivated child. The right tools genuinely change the experience of learning. But if art is more of a regular subject than a passion right now, the Soucolor set is a completely respectable everyday choice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between soft core and hard core colored pencils for kids?
Soft core pencils have a thicker, creamier pigment core that applies color more easily with less pressure — which matters a lot for young hands that haven't built up fine motor strength yet. Hard core pencils are better for fine detail work and last longer if dropped, but beginners often find them scratchy and discouraging. For homeschool art, soft core is almost always the better starting point.
How many colored pencils does a homeschool student actually need?
For most K–6 homeschool use, 36 colors is genuinely plenty. Younger children can do beautiful work with 24 or even 12 high-quality pencils. The jump to 72 colors is worth it if your student is doing detailed nature journaling, portraits, or unit studies where specific colors come up often. More colors isn't automatically better — a focused set with good quality will produce better results than a 150-count set of waxy, low-pigment pencils.
Are Prismacolor pencils worth it for homeschool art, or are they overkill?
They're worth it if your child is engaged in art and old enough to use them with some care (generally 8 and up). The soft core breaks if pencils are dropped or sharpened aggressively, so they're not ideal for very young children or high-traffic shared supply situations. But for a student working through a structured art curriculum or doing regular nature journaling, the quality improvement is real — better pigment, easier blending, more satisfying results. That matters for keeping kids motivated. If art is just a checkmark subject right now, go with the Soucolor set instead.