That meme about kids today wanting the latest electronics is so true. Back when I was a kid, all I wanted was that big box of 64 Crayola crayons!
It took a lot of begging, but I do remember finally getting one. Mom knew I’d be quiet with those crayons!
And remember that built-in sharpener on the back? That alone made the big box something special.
I did some digging and discovered Crayola introduced the 64-count box in 1958. Before that, the company’s original box back in 1903 had only eight colors.
I even found a 1962 newspaper advertisement selling the big 64-count box for 57 cents on sale, regularly $1. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $6.35 on sale or $11.15 at regular price in 2026 dollars.
And here is something I never knew. In 1990, Crayola retired eight of its old colors, including Maize, Raw Umber and Lemon Yellow.
People were actually upset enough to protest! There was even a Raw Umber and Maize Preservation Society trying to save those childhood favorites.
In 2025, Crayola brought back eight retired colors for a limited time. Apparently, some of us never outgrew our attachment to those little sticks of wax.
Of course, eventually some crayons broke, the paper wrappers disappeared and the sharpener filled up with colorful wax shavings.
But opening that big box and seeing all 64 colors lined up was something special.
Forget the latest electronics. Give me a coloring book and that big box of Crayolas!
Did you have the 64-count box, or were you stuck with the little box of eight?
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