Paint by Numbers vs. Marker by Numbers: Which iHeartArt Kit Is Right for You?

Quick Answer

Choose iHeartArt Squeegee Art if your child wants a paint-by-numbers style project with guided techniques, bold neon color, and peel-away resist effects. Choose iHeartArt 12 Glitter Gel Pens if you need a low-mess, portable marker-by-numbers alternative for quick drawing sessions. Both kits suit beginners, but Squeegee Art requires more setup and drying space.

Paint by numbers and marker by numbers kits both promise a finished project without the pressure of a blank page, but they ask different things of your child. One trades control for bold, blendable color. The other trades texture for speed and tidiness.

This comparison uses two real iHeartArt kits from our catalog to show where each format shines and where it falls short. You will see how the Squeegee Art kit and the 12 Glitter Gel Pens differ in mess, skill level, and finished result so you can match one to your child's patience and your tolerance for cleanup.

How the Two iHeartArt Kits Differ

iHeartArt Squeegee Art is a guided paint kit. Kids use hi-flow neon paints that glide, blend, and pop off the page, then add peel-away stickers to mask off areas for resist effects. Punch-out shapes make it easy to build bold, unique artwork. The kit is designed for kids of all skill levels, but it still involves wet paint, drying time, and a surface you can wipe clean.

iHeartArt 12 Glitter Gel Pens is a drawing tool set. Each pen has a rubber comfort grip, an easy-flow nib, and a long-lasting ink supply. The ink lays down long continuous smooth lines loaded with sparkling glitter. A Techniques Guide inside shows how to use the pens and create fine line effects. There is no water, no drying rack, and no paint mixing.

• If your child dislikes waiting for paint to dry, the gel pens win on instant gratification.
• If your child loves the social-media squeegee trend, the Squeegee Art kit delivers that specific experience.

Mess, Setup, and Cleanup Trade-offs

Squeegee Art uses wet neon paint, so you need a protected table, a place for wet artwork to dry, and a willingness to wipe tools and hands. The peel-away stickers and punch-out shapes add steps, which can be a plus for kids who like process or a frustration for kids who want to finish in one sitting.

Glitter Gel Pens are dry from the moment they touch paper. You can use them at a kitchen table, in a car, or on a couch cushion without a drop cloth. The trade-off is that glitter gel ink is best for line work and detail, not for large blended color fields. If your child wants to fill a whole page with color, pens take longer than paint.

• Set up Squeegee Art on a washable surface and keep a damp cloth nearby for quick wipe-ups.
• Keep gel pens capped when not in use so the easy-flow nibs stay smooth.

Skill Level and Finished Result

Squeegee Art is built for kids of all skill levels, and the guided projects reduce the fear of a blank page. The finished piece tends to look bold and abstract because the hi-flow neon paints blend and pop. That makes it a strong choice for a child who wants a display-worthy result without needing fine motor precision.

Glitter Gel Pens reward control. The rubber comfort grip and easy-flow nib help kids draw long continuous lines, and the Techniques Guide supports fine line pen effects. A child who already likes drawing details, lettering, or doodling will get more repeat use from the pens than from a one-project paint kit.

• For a first paint-style project, Squeegee Art lowers the risk because the guided format does the planning.
• For a child who already draws daily, the gel pens become a reusable tool rather than a single activity.

Trade-offs to Weigh Before You Buy

• Wet paint vs. dry ink: Squeegee Art requires a protected work surface and drying time. Glitter Gel Pens are dry immediately and need no cleanup. Choose paint for a project day; choose pens for everyday drawing.
• Guided project vs. open-ended tool: Squeegee Art includes guided projects and punch-out shapes. Glitter Gel Pens are a drawing set you can use on any paper. Pick the kit that matches whether your child wants a finished project or a reusable supply.
• Bold blended color vs. fine glitter lines: Hi-flow neon paints blend and pop for large areas. Glitter gel ink lays down smooth continuous lines with sparkle. Match the medium to the look your child wants on the page.

Product Facts at a Glance

• iHeartArt Squeegee Art: Guided projects use hi-flow neon paints that glide, blend, and pop off the page, with peel-away stickers for resist effects and punch-out shapes for easy artwork. This is the paint-by-numbers-style option: it delivers a bold finished look and guided discovery, but it needs wet-paint setup and drying space.
• iHeartArt 12 Glitter Gel Pens: Rubber comfort grip, easy-flow nib, long-lasting ink supply, and a Techniques Guide for fine line pen effects. This is the marker-by-numbers-style option: it is dry, portable, and reusable, but it is better for line work and detail than for large blended color fields.

Which Kit Fits Your Child?

Best for

• A child who wants a guided paint project with bold neon color and resist effects
• A family activity day where you can set up a protected table and let artwork dry
• A beginner who feels stuck in front of a blank page and wants step-by-step discovery

Not for

• A child who dislikes waiting for paint to dry or cleaning up wet tools
• A parent who needs a mess-free activity for car rides, restaurants, or waiting rooms
• A child who mainly wants to draw fine details and lettering rather than paint large areas

If you want a paint-by-numbers style experience with guided projects and dramatic color, iHeartArt Squeegee Art is the better fit. If you want a marker-by-numbers style tool that is dry, portable, and reusable, iHeartArt 12 Glitter Gel Pens is the smarter pick. Both are beginner-friendly, so let cleanup tolerance and drawing style decide.