Kids love to color with pencils or any other implement they can grab, so they will be most likely satisfied with any set that is economical and has plenty of hues. For adults, the most expensive sets such as Prismacolor may be the better choice. The leads are softer and creamier to give a better coloring experience in shading, layering, and blending the various shades. It might be best to see if the adult really likes coloring as a pastime before investing in the sets with the hefty prices. Start small and go from there. You can never have enough colored pencils once you are well into the craft.