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 pages 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. Not sure why it took adults so long to admit that coloring is cool, and a great activity for any age!
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.
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.
Free Coloring Pages for Adults and Teens
I have tried to sort these by subject area, but it’s always a work in progress.
Mindfulness and Mental Health Coloring Pages
- Kindness Coloring Pages
- Simple Coloring Worksheets
- 26 Free Coping Skills Coloring Pages
- Friendship Coloring Pages
- Mental Health Coloring Pages
- Mandala Coloring Pages
- Emotions Coloring Pages
- Free Mental Health Planner and Workbook
- 5 Ways to Advocate for Your Friends with Mental Health Issues (or yourself!)
- 10 Mental Health Tips for IEP Moms
- 12 Free Emotions Coloring Pages PDF
TV and Pop Culture Coloring Pages
- Taylor Swift Coloring Pages
- 22 Free Printable Pokemon Coloring Pages (PDFs)
- Free Super Mario Coloring Pages PDF
- Olympics Coloring pages
- (American) Football Coloring Pages, there are several that are not too babyish
Science and Social Studies Coloring Pages
- Summer Coloring Pages
- Free 50 States Coloring Book
- Solar System Coloring Pages
- 35 Free Winter Coloring Pages
- 10 Free Snowflake and Snowman Coloring Pages
- Free Bird Coloring Pages: PDF Download for Kids and Adults
- Dinosaur Coloring Pages
- Community Helpers Coloring Pages
Holiday Coloring Pages
- 15 Free Printable Leprechaun Coloring Pages (PDFs)
- 77 Free Coloring Pages for Easter (Printable PDF)
- Chinese Zodiac Coloring Pages
- 34 Free Easter Bunny Coloring Pages (Printable PDF)
- 31 Free Easter Egg Coloring Pages (Printable PDFs)
- Free 4th of July Coloring Pages
- 10 Free Mardi Gras Coloring Pages (including Mardi Gras Masks)
- 10 Free Shamrock Coloring Pages for St. Patrick’s Day
- Mothers Day Coloring Pages
- 25 Free Christmas Coloring Pages (printable PDF)
- 28 Free Halloween Coloring Pages
- 8 Free Groundhog Day Coloring Pages
- 12 Free Printable Chinese Zodiac Coloring Pages
- Pi Day Coloring Pages
- St. Patrick’s Day Color by Number
- St. Patrick’s Day Coloring Pages
Coloring Pages for Adults
I love all the new options. So much fun. They make a perfect gift, and with winter coming, a real boredom beater!
Therapeutic Benefits of Coloring
I love adding coloring pages or coloring to my clients’ IEPs. Coloring is so easy to individualize, and almost everyone loves to do it. And since coloring is being embraced by adults and teens alike, it’s perfect for any age.
- task initiation (coloring something is an easy task to start for many)
- task completion (make sure you choose a page that the person can complete)
- practice and develop fine motor skills
- storytelling (why did you color it that way?)
- language development
- peaceful, calming
- can be done independently or in a group
- hand-eye coordination or visual motor skills
- helps unlock creativity
- attention to detail