First Scribbles With Chunky Crayons

Chunky non-toxic crayons — look for baby-safe ones with a large barrel shape

Large paper (butcher paper, newsprint, or the back of wrapping paper)

Tape to hold the paper down

Tape a large piece of paper to the high chair tray or a low table. Bigger paper means fewer marks on the furniture.

Offer your baby one chunky, non-toxic crayon to start. Choose a bold color that shows up clearly on white paper.

Show them how to press the crayon to paper and make a mark. Do a few strokes yourself while your baby watches.

Let your baby grip the crayon in their fist — palmar grasp is completely normal and expected at this age — and scribble freely.

Add a second color once they get comfortable with the first. Too many choices at once can be overwhelming.

Celebrate every mark. "You made a line! Look at those dots!" Point to their scribbles and describe what you see.

When your baby drops the crayon or loses interest, the session is done. It might only last two minutes, and that is fine.

Egg-shaped or triangular crayons are easier for babies to grip than round ones.

Look for crayons specifically labeled for babies — brands like Honeysticks make beeswax crayons that are non-toxic if mouthed.

Scribbling is a genuine developmental milestone. Those random marks are your baby learning that their hand movements create visible results.

Do not worry about the crayon going in the mouth. Baby-safe crayons are designed for exactly this situation.

Tape the paper down well. A baby's natural grip is so tight they will drag the paper off the table if it is not secured.