These are real oil pastels that are affordable, colorful and well made. Each of the 28 color sticks feel solid when held in hand and spreads well on paper and canvas surfaces. These are rich and chunky, therefore if you use paper, it should be heavier weight than thin ones. The pastels are easy to mix and at the typical prices this is sold, they are a great value and offer lots of hours of enjoyment. This could be used equally by kids and adults, but for kids I recommend at least to be four or five years old as the colors are not easy to erase if they use these on places you prefer not to be permanent.