I love this new trend! It’s what moms have known for generations; coloring is fun! But it made international news when some adult coloring books made the Amazon top seller list.
Adult Coloring Book Pages
Kids love coloring, and it’s easy to see why. It’s calming and peaceful. And now, researchers are finding some therapeutic benefits as well.
Somehow “coloring inside the lines” gets a bad rap. If you color inside the lines or give a child a book to do just that, you are stifling creativity or not being creative.
While there is some truth, the value and benefits of coloring inside the lines should not be dismissed.
I have several coloring books, sets of crayons, colored pencils, and markers. I often have both boys sit down, and we do it together. Both kids enjoy it despite having very different skill levels.
I love the new trend of more mature or adult-themed books and printables. This way, tweens and teens (and even older) can work on fine motor skills without using a babyish or preschool-level coloring book.
Therapeutic Benefits of Coloring
- task completion
- fine motor
- storytelling (why did you color it that way?)
- language development
- peaceful, calming
- can be done independently or in a group
- hand-eye coordination
- helps to unlock creativity
- attention to detail
I’m sure the media and marketers will ruin this and overdo it, but you don’t have to overthink it. You likely already have crayons, markers, and pastels in your home if you have kids.
You don’t need new stuff, though you may wish to find pictures more appealing than the Curious George coloring book I see lying on my kids’ floor.
No disrespect to George, of course; we love him! But it’s ok if you want to color some more intricate or advanced pages; I hesitate to use the word “adult coloring pages” because who knows what type of internet searches will bring me.
I have a post about age-appropriate activities. Younger kids “color,” and older kids “do art.” But whatever you call it, coloring is great and can be used with any age group.
The assortment for adults is varied, like coloring pages and coloring books for kids. And just like with the kids, some coloring books and pages are free, and some cost money.
Here are some options for both. You may have to search a bit to color something other than mandalas.
What is it with all the mandalas? Just because coloring is a Zen activity doesn’t mean that all we want to color is Buddhist stuff!
Where to Buy Adult Coloring Books
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Dover Publications
- Joann
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
- Just about anywhere now (this is an older post, several years ago, they were harder to find then)
Free Coloring Pages for Adults and Teens
Here are some options for free coloring pages. I found that the Crayola website has some very simple options that are still educational.
For example, they have a world flags section, and some of the flags are simple designs. That way, if you work with disabled teens and adults, it’s not babyish if that’s a concern for you.
But first, here are some free coloring pages that I have to share. And I am certain that the links work!
- Learn Colors in ASL with these Free Sign Language Colors Printables
- 23 Free Easter Egg Coloring Pages | Mandala | Preschool to Older Kids
- Earth Day Color by Number Pages | Free | PDF
- Mardi Gras Coloring Pages | Mardi Gras Masks | PDF | Free
- 20 Free Bird Coloring Pages | Bird Word Search | Bird Watching for Kids
- Sign Language Animals | FREE 13-page Coloring Book
I am listing the website names but not the links. This is an older post; whenever I try to update it, the websites still exist, but the links change.
Then folks email me to tell me that the link doesn’t work.
- Color Pages for Moms
- Crayola
- Coloring Pages for Adults/Just Color
- Zen and anti-stress coloring pages
- Mandalas
- Super Coloring
Coloring Pages for Adults
Whenever you look for coloring pages or see an assortment of coloring books for sale, you see mandalas.
Mandala is a complex, symmetrical, or asymmetrical ornament representing a microcosm of the entire universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a circle depicted as symbolic gates of the cosmos.
Mandalas are commonly used as an aid to meditation and as an advanced anti-stress therapy. Each mandala is different and unique. It can be represented as a Tibetan oriental pattern for beginners or a complicated, intricate image for experts.
Work hard while coloring mandala, open your heart and fall into the depth of your own soul!
I love all the new options. So much fun. They make a perfect gift, and with winter coming, a real boredom beater!
Coloring for Adults and Teens
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- Publishing, Kytefox (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 106 Pages - 06/22/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- 【160 Gel Pens for Coloring】In Aen Art we offer 80 INDIVIDULE colors plus 80 matched refills. This Including 11 Glitter, 18 Metallic, 18 Pastel, 18 Neon, 6 Rainbow, 9 Classic. We believe our pens will meet all need when choosing gel pen
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- Whimsical Relaxing Coloring Books, YOURnotes (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 103 Pages - 09/10/2021 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
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- Chill, Color Me (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 102 Pages - 08/12/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
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- Goodridge, Teresa (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages - 07/19/2023 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)
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