There are now hi-tech printers that can deliver brilliantly-colored art, however, there’s something about coloring images by hand. If you are looking for the best coloring books for kids, we’ve compiled a list that will interest toddlers to teens and even kids at heart!
With coloring books, you don’t have to stick to crayons alone. These days, you can also opt for markers, pens, and even watercolor! Just make sure that the pages of the coloring books can actually handle which medium your child is planning to use!
1. Best Coloring Books for Toddlers: The Creative Toddler
A coloring book is more than just a tool to pass the time or even just to improve creativity among toddlers. Research shows that it can also help in developing motor skills, concentration, and also confidence plus a whole lot more.
Check out The Creative Toddler’s First Coloring Book. It is one of the best coloring books for toddlers as it has fun and child-friendly illustrations. Your toddler should have an easier time staying inside the lines as the images are printed with bold strokes. Images include everything from farm animals, fruits, vegetables, and everyday objects.
2. Best Coloring Books for Kids: Crayola x Disney Junior
As children get older, it’s normal for them to start recognizing characters and even getting favorites. To encourage your child to do something creative, why not get them the Crayola Disney Junior Coloring Book. It can help lessen screen time without your child parting from their favorite cartoon characters.
This coloring book is ideal for pre-schoolers and even comes with fun sticker sheets. Over 200 pages of colorable pages are available and feature Disney Junior characters, from classics like Mickey and Minnie Mouse to newer characters like Vampirina and Rolly from Puppy Dog Pals.
3. For Learning and Coloring: Faber-Castell
If your child is looking for something a little more than just coloring, as most grade-schoolers do, then take a look at Faber’Castell’s coloring and “artivity” books. The Ecology & Me coloring book is different from other coloring books as it offers activities too.
With high-quality paper, your child can use a wide range of media on this coloring book, not just crayons! This book also has a spiral binding, which makes it easier to use, even on smaller desks. Faber-Castell’s Creativity for Kids is ideal for increasing both knowledge and creativity.
4. Best Giant Coloring Pad: Unicorn Dreams
Does your little artist have a problem with the size of coloring books? If so, check out the Unicorn Dreams coloring book, which measures 11 x 14.75 inches. This giant pad comes with a handle so your child can bring it anywhere—to school, on vacations!
There are 32 single-sided pages on this coloring book. The pages can also be easily torn out so you can proudly showcase your child’s work on the fridge. This large coloring book has designs that include rainbows, tiaras, and of course, unicorns!
5. Best Coloring Book for School-Aged: Mermaid + Friends
If you have a child who seems to find regular coloring books boring, why not give the Mermaids + Friends a try? For starters, this coloring book has a black background and not the usual white. It also features amazing designs with great detail, such as mermaids, seashells, and sea creatures.
Your child can preserve all of their artworks as the Mermaids + Friends Coloring Book has single-sided pages. It can also prevent any bleed-through if your child decides to use coloring materials other than crayons. Since a black background can be a bit tricky, the coloring books come with two test pages so it’ll be easy to figure out what medium to use on the designs.
6. Best Coloring Book for Tweens: Creepy Kawaii
That age between a child and a teen can be quite tricky. The tween stage is all about trying to be all grown-up and yet still wanting to enjoy “childish” things. Coloring books may once have been seen as simply for kids, but now the market has expanded and has offered so much variety. There are now coloring books that are for adults, so there’s definitely a coloring book for a tween.
Creepy Kawaii’s coloring book title says it all. It’s cute and creepy, it might just be the balance between something totally fun that isn’t too child-like for a tween. This coloring book is pastel goth-inspired but that doesn’t mean pastels are the only colors your child can use on them.
7. For the Manga Lover: Pop Manga
The interests of tweens and teens are quite different and some might be into manga. These Japanese graphic novels or comics have a certain style to them and might be hard to draw by beginners. Luckily, there are now manga coloring books.
The Pop Manga Coloring Book is definitely an excellent option for manga lovers. It features amazing and original designs in Manga-style art. Your tween or teen will be free to color in images with whatever color palette they choose. There are even pages that can allow for “coloring outside the lines.”
8. Best Black Background: Zombie
Again, teenagers truly have unique interests. And sometimes, parents or adults are not able to understand the affinity to the gruesome or the weird. But if that is something that can help inspire creativity, then it’s worth a try. Check out the Zombie Coloring Book. This is not recommended for younger children.
The cartoon-style images in the Zombie Coloring Book may come off as scary or creepy to others but “cool” to some teens. The pages have a black background but the images you need to color in are white. Be sure to check with your child if this is something they might be interested in before getting it!
9. For the Kid at Heart: Secret Worlds
If you have an older child (or an inner child) you want to give a coloring book to, see the Secret Worlds. This coloring book has whimsical designs that will tickle the imagination. Since the images are printed on individual pages, you don’t have to worry about bleed throughs or having to pick which side to showcase.
One of the best coloring books for kids and the kids at heart, Secret Worlds has 38 illustrations for you to color. All of the illustrations in the coloring book are original designs from Karen Sue Studios.
Choosing the Best Coloring Books for Kids
How do you choose the best coloring books for kids? There are so many different types and styles out there that it can be a daunting task! If you’re looking to buy your first set of coloring books, or if you just want some new ideas, here are some tips on what to look for in children’s coloring books.
What kind of art style is inside? Is it realistic or abstract? What color palette does it use–bright colors or softer ones? These questions will help narrow down your search when buying a new book. Consider the following to help you choose the best coloring books for kids:
-Age of Child
Considering the age of the person who will use the coloring book is one of the best ways to narrow your search. The best coloring books for kids are those that have age-appropriate content. Make sure that the images are inline with what the child is currently studying or will be covered in the grade level or is appropriate for the age group they are in.
-Skill Level
Not all coloring books are created the same way, some have thicker lines, while others have tinier spaces to fill in. If the child is just starting out with coloring, opt for friendlier designs. Don’t go for advanced coloring books as this may overwhelm them. At the same time, don’t get coloring books below their skill level as it may leave them bored, too.
-Coloring Medium
What kind of coloring materials does your child prefer using? Is it the classic crayon? Or maybe watercolors? Whatever the case, the best coloring books for kids are those that will work with the proper medium. Those with thinner pages will not be able to hold up to paint. Likewise, regular markers might not show up on black coloring book pages.
-Interests
Finally, the best coloring books for kids are the ones that can spark interest or inspiration. If your child likes dinosaurs, then get a coloring book with that dinosaurs. If they have favorite book characters, why not get a coloring book that features them? Take note of the other interests of your child and try to incorporate that with the coloring book.
Ready to take coloring books to the next level? Check out challenging mandala coloring books to help destress—adult, teens, and kids mandala coloring books available!