The Best Construction Paper for Arts & Crafts
When it comes to the arts and crafts of our childhood, construction paper always seemed to play a pivotal role. But we might also remember that certain papers were coveted, while others were left at the bottom of the pile. Some construction paper packs were just brighter, or sturdier, or had a better variety of colors. We certainly had our preferences when it came to construction paper. If you need some help deciding which colorful paper will be best-loved by your kids or students, then continue reading to find our top choices. You’ll be sure to find the perfect construction paper for you and your kids.
Tru-Ray Construction Paper, 10 Classic Colors
If you’re looking for an excellent standard construction paper pack with classic colors, this is the one for you. It has plenty of variety with ten colors, including black and white and all the primary colors. The pack comes with 50 sheets of high-quality, heavyweight, 100% vat-dyed sulphite paper that’s super durable and resistant to fading. It’s also acid-free and recyclable. If you’re looking for a solid set of construction paper in all the standard colors, then this pack by Tru-Ray will not disappoint.
Pros:
- Good variety of classic, bright colors
- Made in the U.S.
- Fade-resistant and durable
Cons:
- Brown shade is more of a gray taupe color
Faber-Castell Black Paper Pad
Black is the New Black
Drawing on black construction paper can present a fun twist and new challenge to young artists. It’s a great way to practice shading highlights, and light colors and metallic pigments will show up beautifully on a dark background. This high-quality, heavyweight black paper pad by Faber-Castell is acid-free and includes 25 sheets. This pack is made from 50% post-consumer recycled materials, so you can explore new ways to express your creativity while still making sustainable choices. If you’re looking for standard black construction paper, then this pack is the one for you.
Pros:
- Rich, true black color
- Made from 50% recycled materials
- Smooth texture
Cons:
- Lack of grit may not be ideal for some mediums
Tru-Ray P6576 Color Wheel Assortment, Pack of 144
Bang for Your Buck
If your kids are intense craft-lovers, or if you’re looking for a pack of construction paper for a class, this option will fit the bill. This pack by Tru-Ray comes with 144 sheets of construction paper in 12 different colors, so it’ll last a long time. The paper is heavyweight, 100% vat-dyed sulphite paper, suitable for any arts and crafts project. It’s also fade-resistant, keeping the colors vibrant for longer. Additionally, the paper is acid-free and recyclable. With 12 different colors, your kids will be able to mix-and-match colors and practice color theory.
Pros:
- Large quantity provided in one pack
- Heavyweight, quality paper stands up to folding and scoring
- 12 fade-resistant colors
Cons:
- No neutral colors (e.g., brown, black, white)
Tru-Ray Heavyweight Construction Paper, Hot Assorted Colors
Many construction paper packs come in standard primary and secondary colors, but sometimes we want that fun pop of color in our art projects. If that’s what you’re looking for, this assortment of hot colors by Tru-Ray is packed with five gorgeous, vivid colors. This pack comes with 50 sheets of heavyweight, 100% vat-dyed sulphite paper that’s fade-resistant, acid-free, and recyclable. Because the colors are so bright, these papers will work great when making paper decorations or adding pops of colors to arts and craft pieces. If you’re looking for a colored paper that is unique and fun, we recommend this set by Tru-Ray.
Pros:
- Five unique fade-resistant colors
- 50% recycled materials
Cons:
- Only five colors, so you might want a basic set to supplement them
Pacon SunWorks 9512 Multicultural Construction Paper
Around the World
This pack by Pacon reflects the diversity in skin tones long ignored by the kids’ arts and crafts industry. It provides five different skin-toned colors to help make sure every kid can find a skin-tone close to their own. This pack contains 50 sheets of recyclable, heavyweight construction paper. This set is an excellent choice for self-portraits or hand cut-outs. If you’re planning on doing projects like these, we definitely recommend this pack by Pacon.
Pros:
- Five different shades of skin color
- Large sheets of heavyweight paper
Cons:
- Skin colors might not be an exact match for everyone, but it’s a far better selection than what we grew up with
Frequently Asked Questions
What sets apart good quality construction paper?
These are a few characteristics to look out for when choosing construction paper: weight, texture, and color. Unless your specific project requires thinner sheets of paper, generally a heavyweight paper will preferable, as they are more durable against wrinkles and tears. Construction paper also tends to vary in terms of texture. Lower quality construction paper may feel rough and scratchy. Higher quality paper, while still having some texture, will likely be smoother and more pleasant to touch. Lastly, lower quality construction paper tends to have faded colors. You’ll want to make sure the paper you choose has bright colors that please the eye.
What are some projects I can do with construction paper?
Construction paper is super versatile, and you can do a million types of projects with them. For instance, you can cut out shapes from the paper and paste them onto a background sheet to create an illustration-like collage. You can also use construction paper for origami and to make other 3D objects. Another option is to use it to make self-portraits. You can also use construction paper for bright and colorful papier-mâché projects. The list can go on and on, but these are some of our favorite construction paper projects.
