From fan petitions to nostalgic memories, here's everything you need to know about the colorful comeback
Crayola Is Bringing Back 8 Retired Colors—See If Your Old Fave Is on the List
Published on Feb. 10, 2025
The smell of my childhood is a combination of cut grass, pancakes and … crayons. Like many kids, I loved opening a fresh pack, and yes, I may have munched on a yummy-sounding Wild Strawberry crayon or two. Chances are you had some favorite colors as well. (And maybe you even tried eating them too?) But are your favorites still in the crayon box? Over its 122-year history, Crayola has changed its colors a few times, retiring older ones and introducing vibrant new hues—but not everyone has been excited about these changes.
Finally, Crayola has heard the outcry and is responding by bringing back several beloved retired shades—for a limited time. In this era of sad beige fashion and monochromatic white home decor, I, for one, could not be more thrilled about this!
Keep reading to discover the eight retired Crayola colors making a comeback, as well as where you can get your hands on these nostalgic hues.
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Which retired colors is Crayola bringing back?
Crayola has introduced a new Limited Edition Retired Colors 8-Count Crayon Pack, which will include—drumroll, please!—Dandelion. You likely remember that bright, cheerful yellow with just a tinge of orange and gold that was perfect for drawing sunflowers and summer skies. When Crayola retired Dandelion in 2017 to make way for Bluetiful, fans across the globe mourned the loss—and now they can celebrate its return.
The other retired colors making a comeback in the limited-editionpack are:
- Blizzard Blue (retired in 2003)
- Magic Mint (retired in 2003)
- Mulberry (retired in 2003)
- Orange Red (retired in 1990)
- Violet Blue (retired in 1990)
- Lemon Yellow (retired in 1990)
- Raw Umber (retired in 1990)
These rare colors have long been favorites, and their retirement sparked both nostalgia and outcry from fans who had grown attached to them.
For the curious, the original Crayola crayon colors were red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown and black. None of those have ever been retired and—given their ubiquity—likely never will.
Why is Crayola bringing back these colors?
The decision to bring back these colors was influenced by years of fan requests and overwhelming nostalgia. In fact, fans have kept the legacy of these retired crayons alive through various online communities. You can find old crayon packs featuring Dandelion selling for surprising prices on eBay—for example, a 30-year-old used box of crayons containing Dandelion is selling for $14 (Considering that a brand-new box of 64-pack of crayons costs around $4, that’s a serious markup.) Similarly, there are whole threads on Reddit dedicated to Dandelion and other retired colors, with fans both sharing memories and petitions to bring the color back. It just shows what a powerful effect color can have on people and how connected they feel to particular hues.
This is the first time in Crayola’s history that the brand is bringing back a color, according to Crayola’s chief marketing officer, Victoria Lozano. “Color has such a personal connection for kids of all ages. It plays a pivotal role in inspiring creativity, which is an integral catalyst for educational, emotional and cognitive growth,” she added in a press release. “At Crayola, we celebrate the enduring value of childhood creativity to help kids reach their full potential, and we look forward to seeing the Limited Edition colors inspire even more creative moments for our fans.”
When will the retired Crayola colors be available?
Crayola’s retired-colors pack will hit shelves just in time to brighten up the spring season. While an exact date or price hasn’t been announced yet, per Crayola’s website, you can text “LIMITED” to 40663 to receive updates. Since this is a limited-edition release, it’s a good idea to grab a pack early if you are hoping to relive your artistic childhood days—or introduce these iconic colors to a new generation of crayon lovers.
Whether you were a fan of Dandelion’s sunny warmth, the deep, earthy vibe of Raw Umber or the icy coolness of Blizzard Blue (that at least one kid—definitely not me—tasted because it sounded like a Gatorade flavor), these colors are back to spark creativity and some serious nostalgia. So grab your favorite adult coloring book and prepare to celebrate the return of these classic shades!
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Sources:
- PR Newswire: “CRAYOLA BRINGS BACK RETIRED CRAYON COLOR COLLECTION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN COMPANY’S HISTORY”
- Crayola.com: “Limited Edition Retired Crayons, 8 Count”
