Coloring books for kids and adults

Coloring books for coloring and relaxing

A coloring book is the easiest way to get started with painting. The designs are already drawn, so you can focus entirely on colors and shapes. For many people, coloring is a calm activity after a busy day, and for children it's good practice for pencil grip and fine motor skills.

How to find the right coloring book

For children, large, clear areas with bold outlines suited to their age work best. Adults tend to choose fine details, mandalas, patterns and more elaborate scenes. The paper matters at least as much as the design, because it determines which pencils and markers you can use.

Colored pencils work in almost any coloring book and allow soft blends. Felt-tip pens and markers are more vibrant but can bleed through to the back of thin paper. Watercolor pencils or watercolors only work if the paper is made for them, otherwise it buckles.

• Coloring books for kids with large areas
• Adult coloring books with fine details
• Themes such as animals, nature, fantasy and mandalas
• Gift idea together with colored pencils or felt-tip pens

Tip: When coloring with felt-tip pens, place a sheet of paper or thin cardstock behind the page. That way the next design stays clean, even if the ink bleeds through.