Melissa & Doug Deluxe Watercolor Paint Set (21 colors)

by Melissa & Doug

Product Features

• Includes 21 Watercolor Paints
• Non-Toxic
• Sturdy Carrying Case Lid Doubles as a Mixing Tray!
• Deluxe Paintbrush Included!
• Safety Information: Recommended for Children Ages 4 and Up / Conforms to ASTM-4236

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 5.3 x 10 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000MRGWQW
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 4120
• Our recommended age: 4 years and up
• Manufacturer recommended age: 4 - 7 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,866 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #17 in Toys & Games > Arts & Crafts > Craft Kits > Waterpainting Kits
• Average Customer Review: 1.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Product Description

Paint every color of the rainbow with the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Watercolor Paint Set! Each set includes 21 vivid non-toxic watercolor paints. The sturdy carrying case features a durable plastic lid that doubles as a mixing tray. A deluxe paintbrush is included.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Melissa & Doug's Finest Attempt, March 25, 2008

By 

Shauna Cain (South Hadley, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Melissa & Doug Deluxe Watercolor Paint Set (21 colors) (Toy)

I have 3 young boys who love Melissa & Doug's wooden playsets and I have always been impressed with the quality of these products. We also do a *lot* of watercolor painting and so it seemed only natural to purchase these M&D's paints when they became available.

The case *is* nice and sturdy. That is truly the only positive thing I can say about these paints.

The colors are quite paradoxically pale AND fluorescent. They are utterly lacking in the richness and vibrancy that watercolors need to have to produce satisfying results.

The quality of the brush included with this set is equally atrocious. The bristles (embedded in the plastic handle, joint covered with a token silver plastic ferrule) consist of jagged, poorly trimmed toothbrush-type plastic and will not even bend to allow proper contact with the paper. They are easily hard/sharp enough to accidentally tear through wet watercolor paper.

Additionally, the quantity of paint in each cup is miniscule. I'd say 2-3 mm. of paint. One (very careful) child's painting session is enough to expose the plastic at the bottom of the cup....We hit the blue's bottom before completing one sky... Honestly, I was relieved we wouldn't have to waste any more paper on these paints. All 3 sets we purchased were relegated on day one to my 2 year-old to mix with water and watch it turn brown.

For dry-cup type watercolors, we have always been VERY happy with Colorifics paints. The colors are rich and vibrant, they last on average 10-12 paintings per set - And the brush included is an extremely SOFT, fully tapered natural bristle brush with a metal ferrule. One that you'll be happy to keep around long after the paints are gone. They are cheaper than M&D's too..

Really, I'd love to prevent any disappointment I can by recommending folks seek out better paints for your little ones--They deserve better.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DON"T waste your time and money, March 19, 2009

By 

AC "acw3" (Atlantic City, NJ) - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Melissa & Doug Deluxe Watercolor Paint Set (21 colors) (Toy)

I wish I had read the previous review on this product first. The paints colors are light hues at best. Yes, the case in which the paints come in is very sturdy. There is barely enough paint here for 1 paint session. My baby girl loves to paint so this product is not really worth the money.

We also tried: Melissa & Doug Finger Paint Set 4pc
Don't bother with this one either.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not sure why they still sell them!, September 10, 2010

By 

Silke Fernald (Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Melissa & Doug Deluxe Watercolor Paint Set (21 colors) (Toy)

The colors are so bad, it's unbelievable. The petty case is the only nice thing about them.
They are used up in one session, are watery and hard to use.
I wonder why Melissa and Doug hasn't come up with a different recipe to make their colors richer yet!
Maybe they haven't heard that there are watercolors out there that actually work!
I'm so disappointed...don't waste your money on this product.
I grew up in Germany and am used to watercolors from Pelikan ( they can be found at amazon). Those are by far the best colors I've ever used. They last long and are super rich. I used them even in art class all the way up to my teen years. Super great product! A bit more expensive I think $12.- for a set of 12 colors) but it comes with a tube of white, so you can mix pastels yourself which teaches about colors and shades etc. I highly recommend it!