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For painting crafts, the best paint palettes are cheap, stackable plastic trays with separate wells. They keep colors from running together, wash clean in the sink, and cost little enough that every child or guest at a craft table can have one. Wooden palettes with a thumb hole are a nice step up for adults and for painting parties, and a stay-wet palette is worth adding only if you work in acrylic for long sessions. Most crafters need a pack of well trays first.
Quick answer: For most craft tables, the LNAUJS 15-pack round palettes are the best all-round choice: 10 wells plus a central mixing area on each, at a low price tier. For big groups and parties, the HYL 40-piece tray set or the DLOnline 50-pack of 6-well palettes put a palette in every hand, and for adult paint nights the Cregugua 12-pack wooden oval palettes feel more like real artist palettes.
Types of Paint Palettes for Crafts
Plastic well trays
The workhorse of craft painting. Round trays usually have around ten wells around a central mixing reservoir; rectangular trays often have six wells in a row. Deep wells hold fluid craft acrylic and keep colors separate. They stack for storage and are light enough for small hands.
Wooden palettes
Flat oval or kidney-shaped boards with a thumb hole. They give a large mixing area and are the classic artist palette shape. Unfinished plywood palettes can be sealed with varnish or a coat of mineral oil to stop paint soaking in, or left raw for kids to decorate.
Disposable palette paper
Pads of coated paper that you tear off and throw away. Convenient for acrylic and oil, but less useful for runny craft paints, which pool and spread.
Stay-wet palettes
A sponge and membrane paper in a lidded box keep acrylic workable for hours or days. Excellent for miniatures and detailed work; usually unnecessary for quick kids’ crafts.
Improvised palettes
Muffin tins, ice cube trays, egg cartons and paper plates all work in a pinch. Plates are great for one-off messy projects like handprint art, where cleanup matters more than reusability.
Choosing the Right Palette for the Craft
| Craft or Situation | Best Palette Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kids’ crafts and classrooms | Round or rectangular plastic well trays | Cheap, stackable, keeps colors separate |
| Paint and sip or adult parties | Wooden oval palettes or round trays | Feels like a real artist palette |
| Rock painting and small decor | Small 6-well trays | Holds a few colors in little amounts |
| Canvas painting with acrylics | Large tray, wooden palette or stay-wet | More room to mix |
| Watercolor crafts | Round well trays | Deep wells for washes |
| Handprint and messy art | Paper plates or trays | Easy to clean or toss |
Setting Up Palettes for a Group Craft Session
A little preparation keeps a group session calm and cuts paint waste.
- Decide the palette in advance: pick five to seven colors that suit the project, such as three primaries, white, black and one accent.
- Pre-fill palettes: put a coin-sized amount of each color in the same well on every tray, so instructions like “use the blue in the top well” work for everyone.
- Add a water cup and a paper towel per person: fewer trips to the sink means fewer spills.
- Keep a refill station: one adult with the bottles tops up palettes as needed rather than passing bottles around.
- Stack and soak at the end: collect trays into a tub of warm soapy water as soon as painting stops.
For kids, a laminated color chart at each table that matches the well layout helps younger painters find colors without mixing everything into brown.
Palette Tips for Craft Painting
- Squeeze small amounts: craft paint dries quickly in shallow wells. Add more as needed.
- Keep a damp paper towel nearby: lay it over the palette during breaks to slow drying.
- Use the center well for mixing: keep pure colors in the outer wells.
- Clean while wet: acrylic rinses off easily before it dries; once dry it peels off plastic but takes longer.
- Label palettes for groups: a strip of masking tape with a name avoids mix-ups.
For full cleaning methods for plastic, wood and glass, see our guide on how to clean a painting palette. If paint keeps drying before you use it, our tips on keeping a paint palette from drying out will help, and our explainer on what a wet palette is covers when a stay-wet palette is worth it.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- LNAUJS 15-Pack Round Paint Tray Palettes — Best overall for craft tables
- HYL 40-Piece Art Paint Tray Palettes — Best for parties and large groups
- DLOnline 50-Pack 6-Well Rectangular Palettes — Best bulk pack for classrooms
- Cregugua 12-Pack Wooden Oval Palettes, 12 x 9 in — Best for adult paint nights
- Hulameda 12-Piece Paint Tray Palettes — Best mid-size pack for families
- Mr. Pen Round Paint Tray Palettes, 4 Pack — Best small pack for home crafters
- LNAUJS 8-Pack 6-Well Rectangular Palettes — Best small rectangular pack
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LNAUJS 15-Pack Round | Everyday craft table | 15 round, 10 wells + center, 6.69 in | Spec-rich, deep wells | $ |
| HYL 40-Piece Trays | Parties, large groups | 40 round, 10 wells + reservoir, 6.6 in | Most trays per pack | $$ |
| DLOnline 50-Pack | Classrooms | 50 rectangular, 6 wells, 5 x 3.5 in | Light, cheap enough to share | $ |
| Cregugua 12 Wooden Ovals | Adult paint nights | 12 oval plywood, 12 x 9 in, thumb hole | Real artist-palette feel | $$ |
| Hulameda 12-Piece | Families | 12 plastic trays, 6.7 in | Stackable, sturdy | $ |
| Mr. Pen 4-Pack Round | Home crafters | 4 round, 10 wells + center, 6.7 in | Small pack, trusted brand | $ |
| LNAUJS 8-Pack Rectangular | Small groups | 8 rectangular, 6 wells, 3.4 x 5 in | Compact one-hand palettes | $ |
How We Chose
These picks are based on Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026. We compared palette size, number and depth of wells, material, pack count and stackability against common craft scenarios, from a single child at home to a 30-person classroom, and considered how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not used these palettes; details come from the listings.
- Well layout: number of wells and a mixing area.
- Well depth: deep enough for fluid craft paint.
- Pack size: matched to household, party or classroom.
- Material: plastic for durability and washing; wood for feel.
- Storage: stackable designs save space.
Best Paint Palettes for Painting Crafts Reviewed
1. LNAUJS 15-Pack Round Paint Tray Palettes — Best for Everyday Craft Tables
LNAUJS gives unusually clear specs: 15 round white plastic palettes, each 6.69 inches across, with a central mixing area of 3.07 inches and 0.34 inch deep, plus ten wells of 1.25 inches and about 0.41 inch deep.
That combination of ten deep wells and a generous central reservoir handles a full craft palette per person, and fifteen trays suits a big family or small group.
Best suited for: Families, small classes and craft clubs.
Key features:
- 15 round palettes, 6.69 in
- 10 wells about 0.41 in deep
- Central mixing area 3.07 in
- White plastic, stackable
Pros:
- Detailed specs make planning easy
- Deep wells for fluid paint
- Good pack size at a low tier
Cons and limitations:
- Plastic can stain with some pigments
- No lids
- Round shape is less ergonomic to hold than a thumb-hole palette
Buying consideration: Rinse before acrylic dries, or let it dry fully and peel it off in one sheet.
2. HYL 40-Piece Art Paint Tray Palettes — Best for Parties and Large Groups
This 40-piece set provides round 6.6 inch trays with ten wells and a central reservoir, made of molded plastic described as sturdy, non-toxic and reusable. The listing says the deep wells keep colors separate for watercolor, oil, gouache and acrylic.
Forty trays covers a birthday party, a scout troop or an entire class with spares.
Best suited for: Party hosts, camps and teachers with big groups.
Key features:
- 40 round trays, 6.6 in
- 10 wells and 1 central reservoir
- Stackable molded plastic
- Multiple paint types
Pros:
- Highest count of the round trays
- Deep wells
- Reusable and stackable
Cons and limitations:
- Takes storage space
- More than a household needs
- No lids
Buying consideration: Pre-fill trays with the same colors before guests arrive to speed up a party.
3. DLOnline 50-Pack 6-Well Rectangular Palettes — Best for Classrooms
DLOnline’s pack includes 50 rectangular palettes of 5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches, each weighing about 10 g with six separate wells. The listing notes they are durable enough for repeated use yet cheap enough to treat as disposable.
Six wells are enough for a primary palette plus black and white, which is all most classroom projects need.
Best suited for: Teachers, after-school programs and big events.
Key features:
- 50 rectangular palettes
- 6 wells each
- 5 x 3.5 x 0.5 in, about 10 g
- White plastic
Pros:
- Lowest cost per palette
- Light enough for small hands
- White surface shows true color
Cons and limitations:
- No central mixing area
- Smaller wells than round trays
- Thin plastic is less rigid
Buying consideration: Use a separate paper plate for mixing if students need more space than the wells provide.
4. Cregugua 12-Pack Wooden Oval Palettes, 12 x 9 in — Best for Adult Paint Nights
Cregugua’s pack includes 12 unfinished plywood oval palettes, each 12 x 9 inches and 0.1 inch thick, with a thumb hole. The listing describes smooth edges and surfaces and suitability for watercolor, oil, acrylic and gouache.
For a paint-and-sip night or an adult class, a wooden palette with a thumb hole feels like the real thing and gives a bigger mixing area than plastic trays.
Best suited for: Paint party hosts, adult classes and gift sets.
Key features:
- 12 plywood oval palettes
- 12 x 9 in, thumb hole
- Unfinished surface
- Multi-media use
Pros:
- Classic artist palette shape
- Large mixing area
- Can be decorated as a craft itself
Cons and limitations:
- Unfinished wood absorbs paint unless sealed
- No wells
- Thin plywood can warp if soaked
Buying consideration: Seal both sides with varnish or rub with mineral oil before first use to make cleanup easier.
5. Hulameda 12-Piece Paint Tray Palettes — Best for Families
Hulameda’s 12-piece set of 6.7 inch plastic trays is described as sturdy, break-proof and easy to clean, stacking together for storage. The listing also suggests using them for decorating cupcakes at a party.
Twelve is a comfortable count for a family that crafts often and wants spares when friends visit.
Best suited for: Families and small groups.
Key features:
- 12 plastic trays, 6.7 in
- Break-proof, smooth surface
- Stackable
- Money-back period per the listing
Pros:
- Durable, reusable
- Mid-size pack
- Easy storage
Cons and limitations:
- Well count not specified in the listing
- No lids
- Plastic can stain
Buying consideration: Keep two trays aside for messy mediums like glitter paint so the rest stay clean.
6. Mr. Pen Round Paint Tray Palettes, 4 Pack — Best for Home Crafters
Mr. Pen’s four-pack offers 6.7 inch round plastic palettes with ten wells and a central reservoir, 0.4 inch deep. The listing notes they are light and comfortable to hold, even for children.
Four palettes are plenty for a single crafter or a parent and child, and they take almost no storage space.
Best suited for: Individual crafters and small households.
Key features:
- 4 round palettes, 6.7 in
- 10 wells and 1 central reservoir
- 0.4 in well depth
- White plastic
Pros:
- Lowest price tier
- Classic round well layout
- Small pack avoids clutter
Cons and limitations:
- Only four palettes
- No lids
- Basic plastic
Buying consideration: Use one palette per paint type, such as acrylic and watercolor, to avoid cross-contamination.
7. LNAUJS 8-Pack 6-Well Rectangular Palettes — Best for Small Groups
LNAUJS also offers an 8-pack of rectangular palettes, each 3.4 x 5 inches with six wells about 1.3 inches across. The listing highlights one-handed use and easy stacking.
It is a compact alternative to the 50-pack for households or small craft clubs that prefer rectangular trays.
Best suited for: Small groups and rock painters who need only a few colors at a time.
Key features:
- 8 rectangular palettes
- 6 wells, about 1.3 in diameter
- 3.4 x 5 in
- Stackable white plastic
Pros:
- Compact and one-hand friendly
- Wells sized for small amounts
- Lowest price tier
Cons and limitations:
- No mixing area
- Small capacity per well
- Only eight pieces
Buying consideration: Ideal for rock painting, where you need small amounts of several colors.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Paint Palettes for Painting Crafts
Well count and size
Six wells handle primaries plus black and white; ten wells allow a fuller palette. Deeper wells hold fluid craft paint without spilling.
Mixing area
A central reservoir or flat zone lets you blend without contaminating pure colors. Rectangular six-well trays usually lack this.
Pack size
Match the pack to your group: four to twelve for home, fifteen to twenty for small classes, forty or more for parties and full classrooms.
Plastic or wood
Plastic is cheap, durable and dishwasher-friendly. Wood looks and feels like an artist palette but needs sealing and gentle cleaning.
Stain resistance
Some pigments, especially phthalo blues and greens, stain white plastic. Staining does not affect performance; a quick soak in warm soapy water helps.
Lids and storage
Most craft trays have no lids. If you need to save paint between sessions, cover the tray with plastic wrap or choose a stay-wet palette.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Squeezing out too much paint, which dries before it is used.
- Using shallow trays for runny craft paint.
- Leaving unsealed wooden palettes to soak up acrylic.
- Letting acrylic dry in the wells for days, which makes cleanup harder.
- Giving a group too few palettes, so colors get mixed and muddy.
- Washing large amounts of acrylic down the drain; wipe excess onto paper towels first.
FAQs
What is the best palette for kids’ painting?
Round or rectangular plastic well trays are best. They are light, cheap, keep colors separate and wash clean easily.
Are wooden palettes good for acrylic paint?
They work if sealed with varnish or oil first; otherwise the wood absorbs paint. Many acrylic painters prefer plastic, glass or a stay-wet palette.
How do you clean dried acrylic from a plastic palette?
Soak it in warm soapy water for a while, then peel or scrape the softened paint. Fully dried acrylic often peels off plastic in sheets.
Can I use a paper plate as a paint palette?
Yes. Paper plates are handy for messy, one-time crafts. Coated plates hold paint better than uncoated ones.
How many wells should a craft palette have?
Six wells cover a basic palette; ten wells allow more colors. Look for a central mixing area if you blend often.
How do I stop paint drying on my palette?
Use small amounts, cover the palette with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap during breaks, and consider a stay-wet palette for long acrylic sessions.
Final Recommendation
The LNAUJS 15-pack round palettes are the best all-round choice for craft tables. For parties and large groups, choose the HYL 40-piece set, and for classrooms the DLOnline 50-pack. Adult paint nights call for the Cregugua wooden ovals. Families will be well served by the Hulameda 12-piece set, while the Mr. Pen 4-pack and LNAUJS 8-pack suit individual crafters and rock painters.
