Coloring is a wonderful opportunity to practice and hone developmental skills such as gross and fine motor skills, concentration, and coordination for early writing skills. As with most toddler activities, coloring can get tricky if you’re not paying attention. we’re talking crayon marks on walls, marker stains on clothing, and beyond. Whether you can’t stand the mess or accept it, we have the best coloring kits and tools you need to teach and play with your toddler.
the best coloring books for toddlers
Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons and Coloring Book is a set of 12 thick, natural beeswax crayons with a 40-page book made from recycled paper; however, it is a more expensive option; while the crayola baby shark art set is a less expensive option and includes 10 ultra-clean markers, 8 ultra-clean crayons, 30 coloring pages, and 2 sticker sheets that fit in a flipper-shaped carrying case.
You are reading: Best coloring books for toddlers
crayola coloring book for toddlers with activities
The Crayola Coloring Book for Toddlers with Activities is not your average coloring book. It’s packed with 40 pages of activities to set your little one up for success!
The coloring book is perfect for preschoolers, ages 3 and up, to practice letters, numbers, counting, matching, and more.
The Crayola Toddler Coloring Book with Activity is best combined with colored pencils or crayons. bookmarks can cross pages.
I am confident, brave and beautiful: a coloring book for girls
It’s never too early to teach girls important lessons, and I’m confident, brave and beautiful – a coloring book for girls is the perfect opportunity.
This coloring book includes 22 pages that empower girls to develop confidence, imagination and spirit. Each page of the book has a statement and images that reinforce each statement. toddlers will have fun coloring the vibrant pictures.
honey sticks 100% natural pure beeswax crayons with coloring book
Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons with Coloring Book are a great choice for your little one’s first coloring game. You can rest assured that it is safe to use with babies, toddlers, and children of all ages.
Let’s talk about what makes this set unique: the beeswax crayons. These crayons are handcrafted with 100% pure New Zealand beeswax and food-grade pigments for color. Honeysticks beeswax crayons contain no fillers or paraffin wax. Each crayon is approximately 2 inches long and 0.8 inches in diameter. They have a chubby design to make them easy for little hands to hold and hard for little hands to break.
The coloring book is made from 100% recycled paper. Features 40 pages of simple plant and animal pictures that are ready to be colored!
bendon sesame street 64 page jumbo coloring and activity book
The Bendon Sesame Street Jumbo Coloring and Activity Book has 64 pages of fun for your creative toddler.
The Coloring & Activity Book features illustrations of beloved Sesame Street characters for coloring, along with games, puzzles, and other activities. You can easily tear out the pages of the book to instantly hang your little one’s masterpieces on the refrigerator.
The Bendon Sesame Street Jumbo Coloring and Activity Book is best for toddlers ages 3 and up.
crayola baby shark art set
Calling all baby shark fans! The Crayola Baby Shark Art Set is a great addition to your child’s craft supplies.
This art set includes 10 ultra-clean markers, 8 ultra-clean crayons, 30 coloring pages and 2 sticker sheets, all in an adorable flipper-shaped carrying case.
Ultra Clean line of markers and crayons wipes clean from skin, clothes, and walls. The Crayola Baby Shark Art Set is perfect for traveling and will keep your little one entertained for hours!
wee creators washable dot markers
You may have noticed an ongoing theme with our coloring sets: no fuss! we’re interested in simple options to give your little one the space to explore, but also to give parents peace of mind. You get both with Wee Creators Washable Dot Markers.
This set features 10 dot markers that are designed to fit perfectly in your toddler’s hands. Unlike traditional markers that can be difficult for your toddler to remove the caps on their own, Wee Creators washable dot markers have large round caps that they can easily twist themselves. water-based ink washes out and is 100 percent non-toxic and won’t bleed through.
Activity books are educational too! Comes with an alphabet activity book that features 26 letter pages to teach your little one about letters, letter sounds, and objects. The dot by number activity book also allows toddlers to match the numbers on the scoreboard to the numbers on the page. the end result will reveal a finished scene. children will learn numbers and math at the same time.
wee creator washable dot markers and activity books encourage gross motor skills, creativity, and color, number, and letter recognition.
the best coloring books for 1 year olds
the 123 big things & Giant Coloring Book and Vehicle Coloring Book are coloring books that contain large pictures with thick lines for your little one to practice colouring. while alex discovers my first kids arts and crafts activity with doodles is a blank page book for your little one to create and doodle her own designs. also includes stickers to embellish your creations.
123 big things & giant coloring book
the 123 big things & The jumbo coloring book will last your little one a long time.
Contains 124 pages of large, recognizable images your toddler and even a big kid will love, including farm animals, flowers, ice cream, and more.
the 123 big things & The jumbo coloring book is perfect for young children who are learning and practicing to color within the lines, as the large images make coloring easy and fun!
alex discovers my first arts and crafts activity for kids with doodles
Alex’s Discover My First Doodle Art & Craft Activity for Kids is a great option for older kids who want a blank canvas to create their masterpieces on.
If your little one is more into scribbling than coloring pictures, then this book is for you! It has over 50 blank pages and almost 70 stickers to decorate your little one’s creations.
Pages feature easy-to-follow activities that encourage scribbling, ultimately leading to drawing, painting, and writing skills. Watch your child develop before your eyes as you interact with Alex Discover my first arts and crafts activity book for kids!
vehicle coloring book for toddlers
Kwabu’s Toddler Vehicles Coloring Book is a must have for little ones who love planes, trains and cars!
the coloring book contains 25 images of large vehicles, such as a tractor, a spaceship, a locomotive, a submarine, a fire truck and more. The illustrations are large and have extra thick lines that make it easy for young children to explore and be creative.
The paper is thick and made with quality printing, so you don’t have to worry about the colors fading. kwabu vehicles coloring book for toddlers is best suited for children ages 1-3.
the best coloring books for 2 year olds
the big fun coloring book by bendon crayola is a set of 4 different animal books with large, thick-lined coloring pages for your little one to work on their hand-eye coordination while the animal coloring book It also has animal-focused coloring pages, but the images are more detailed for older toddlers who are up for a bigger challenge when coloring.
my best coloring book for toddlers
my best coloring book for toddlers is another educational coloring book that will teach your toddler many valuable lessons. This is ideal for children ages 1-5.
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introduces early counting, simple words, shapes, letters, and animals. The coloring book features over 100 large images with bold lines that help young children stay within the lines.
You’ll be amazed at how much your child absorbs while just doodling in my best little boy coloring book.
bendon crayola great fun coloring book
bendon crayola’s big fun coloring book markets itself as a sugar-free treat or party favor that’s perfect for birthday parties, road trips, or quiet times at home, and we couldn’t be happier! more agree!
This pack includes 4 different coloring books, each containing 96 coloring pages. they feature farm animals, sea creatures, and even some activity pages.
bendon crayola’s fun coloring books are affordable options your busy child won’t get bored with.
my first coloring book for toddlers
Have fun coloring together as you teach your little one with the My First Toddler Coloring Book.
These coloring pages introduce important skills like reading, counting, shapes, animals, and more. The book has over 100 bold and simple illustrations that reinforce recognition and gross motor skills.
Your kids will have so much fun coloring with you or on their own!
coloring books for kids: animal coloring book
For older kids who are mastering coloring more detailed pictures, Kids Coloring Books – Animals Coloring Book is sure to become a favorite.
This is perfect for little ones who love animals. The pages are filled with photos of pets, baby animals, woodland creatures, birds, ocean friends, and scenes from nature.
and your little or big kid can let their creativity shine! All images are printed on one side only, making them easier to color. there is a special black page behind each design to minimize marker bleed and help display the finished artwork around the house.
As a bonus feature for parents, these coloring pages are published by education experts and coloring book specialists.
coloring books for children: the animal coloring book is ideal for children from 3 to 8 years old.
the best coloring books without the mess
Crayola Baby Shark Wonder Pages is a set of 18 coloring pages with 5 wonder color markers that color only on the coloring pages. If your child decides to draw on anything else, the markers are clear and mess-free. lemon balm & Doug Water Wow has 3 books with 4 pages each that comes with a refillable water pen. As your child colors, the hidden images appear but disappear once the pages dry. The Aqua Magic Doodle Mat is a large water mat that comes with 5 water markers that color only on the mat and disappear after a short time so your child can draw something new.
crayola baby shark wonder pages no mess coloring gift
Imagine letting your toddler color and play with markers quietly while you toss in a quick load of laundry. seems impossible without making a big mess, right? Well, not with the mess-free coloring gift of wonderful Crayola Baby Shark Pages.
This coloring kit is truly magical! The markers only show their vibrant colors when used on the included coloring pages. That means if your toddler strays off the page and decides to bring his artistic skills to your white walls, he doesn’t need to worry. the markers are clear on any other surface!
This wonderful coloring set includes 18 popular baby shark coloring pages and 5 wonderful colored markers. It’s contained in a binder-style package that doubles as storage for your coloring pages and bookmarks. the folder also doubles as a sturdy backing for your child to color on long car rides.
crayola color wonder no mess coloring kit
If you love the mess-free markers in the Crayola Baby Shark Mess-Free Coloring Set, then there’s more to love with the Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Coloring Kit.
Let your toddler’s imagination run wild and go beyond coloring pages with these wonderful blank color pads. Just like Color Wonder coloring books, these markers will only work on Color Wonder paper. keep your little one’s creativity off their clothes, skin, and your rug.
This set includes two 30 blank page colored notepads, 10 classic colored mini markers and 10 pastel colored mini markers. Your little one will be entertained for hours creating his own masterpieces!
color wonder markers never dry out. They are safe and non-toxic and ideal for children ages 3 and up. We introduced them to my daughter around 18 months with supervision, and she was blown away!
melissa & doug water wow package: farm, safari & under the sea
We continue with the theme of not messing with the melissa & doug water wow package: farm, safari & under the sea.
This kit is a spiral bound coloring and activity book for painting with water. you may be wondering how this works. Each set comes with a mess-free refillable water pen. each stroke of the water pen will reveal hidden images. once the pages dry, the images magically disappear. Kids can do this over and over again because the coloring pages are reusable!
The water pen is thick and easy for young children to hold. They are stored in the cover of the activity books, so you don’t have to worry about losing the magic pen. These books are also compact and hardcover, making them perfect for travel.
melissa & The Doug Water Wow pack contains three coloring books on a farm, safari, and under the sea theme, so your little one will learn fun facts about animals while they color. Each spiral bound notebook has 4 reusable pages.
These water paint books help promote fine motor skills and early writing skills, as well as stimulate imaginative play.
aqua jasonwell magic doodle mat
now to a truly interactive coloring “book” experience: the jasonwell aqua magic doodle mat.
This product is not your traditional coloring book, but your toddler can be just as creative and hands-on while playing with it. The Jasonwell Aqua Magic Drawing Mat features a large 39.5-inch by 31.5-inch drawing mat that can entertain multiple children at the same time.
This is how the doodle mat works. The set includes 5 magic pens, which need to be filled with water and only work on the mat. After 3 to 10 minutes, the pictures magically disappear, so kids can create new pictures over and over again.
this is perfect for use on the floor or you can attach it to a smooth wall or window using the 4 suction cups, included. This set also comes with a design booklet, 6 stamps, 6 drawing templates, and 6 drawing molds. When your child is done playing, simply fold up the mat and materials and store everything compactly in the attached storage box.
The edge of the doodle mat features letters of the alphabet with corresponding pictures and animal names for added learning fun.
The Jasonwell Aqua Magic Scribble Mat is a unique, reusable coloring option that’s safe for kids, doesn’t make a lot of mess, and saves scribbling paper.
the best crayons for toddlers
The Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection is a set of 152 crayons made from paraffin wax, a pencil sharpener, and a carrying cart. Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons are a count of 12 thick beeswax crayons; JoyousJays 3-in-1 Jumbo Colored Pencils have 12 different colors in this pencil set that can be used as crayons, watercolors, or colored pencils; And the Crayola Washable Marker Set includes 32 different colors, including 8 washable window markers and 8 FX gel markers. They are part of the ultra clean line that cleans clothing, body and household surfaces.
coloring set from crayola’s latest collection of crayons
every budding artist needs the right tools, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with the crayola ultimate crayon collection coloring set.
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This crayon set will last you a long time with 152 crayons, a sharpener and a portable cart. All classic colors are included, as well as specialty colors like metallic and glitter crayons.
You won’t have to worry about your little one breaking multiple crayons at each art session. just pop out a few at a time for little ones to express their creativity. These crayons are also double wrapped for durability and strength.
the portable caddy doubles as a convenient carrying and storage case. These crayons included in the crayola ultimate crayon collection coloring set are non-toxic and safe for children ages 3 and up.
100% pure natural beeswax honey sticks
If your toddler isn’t quite ready for traditional thin crayons, but loves to color or follow along with their big brother or sister, try Honeysticks 100% Pure Natural Beeswax Crayons.
They’re short and thick, making these crayons the perfect size for little hands. this set includes 12 different colors.
honey sticks are made from pure new zealand beeswax so they are safe if they inadvertently get into the mouths of young children. (which can happen because they have a sweet honey smell!)
honeystick beeswax crayons are perfect for ages 1 and up.
joyousjays 3 in 1 jumbo colored pencils for kids
We love investing in products that serve more than one purpose, and that’s exactly why joyousjays 3-in-1 Jumbo Colored Pencils for Kids make our list!
These large colored pencils also work as crayons and watercolor paints. They have an 8-millimeter lead diameter and are thick enough for little hands to help improve their grip. Unlike traditional crayons, these jumbo crayons won’t break easily.
To paint with joyousjays pencils, simply use the small brush included in the set, dip it in water and draw over the colored image to create a watercolor effect. Colored pencils can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, whiteboard, plastic, metal, and mirrors. they are easily erased from smooth surfaces, such as glass or plastic.
joyousjays 3-in-1 jumbo colored pencil set is non-toxic and completely safe for children to use. It also includes a sharpener, so these colored pencils will last your family a long time.
crayola washable marker set
Handing markers to a young child can be a recipe for disaster, but it doesn’t have to be with the Crayola Washable Marker Set.
This variety pack includes 48 “ultra clean” markers. It’s Crayola’s line of washable markers that wipe clean from skin, clothing, and common household surfaces, including painted walls.
the set has 32 different colors with duplicates of the 16 most popular colors, 8 washable window markers and 8 fx gel markers. Gel markers are great for use on dark colored paper, plastic, foil, and glass to create special effects. window markers work on home and car windows, glass frames, mirrors and more. the possibilities are endless and your toddler will love experimenting on different surfaces!
school smart washable tempera
If giving your toddler markers makes him nervous, painting may not be a good start. The good news is that we have tips to share on how to remove paint from children’s clothing and the right paint to use when doing art projects for toddlers. enter the smart school washable tempera paint!
This paint is used in many classrooms because it washes easily from skin and most machine washable clothing without leaving stains. the paint is also non-toxic, making it safe for children.
The school smart washable paint set includes 12 assorted colors in pint containers.
Painting, especially finger painting, is a wonderful sensory activity for young children to explore and learn about colors.
To read our tips on removing paint from children’s clothing, check out our article here for step-by-step instructions.
comparing the best coloring books for toddlers
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faqs – coloring books for toddlers
what is the appropriate age to introduce coloring books?
There is no magic age when children are ready to color. each will show signs of readiness at different times. a good rule of thumb to see if your child might be ready is to assess when he stops putting everything in his mouth. While many of the products included here are safe and non-toxic, chewing crayons is not fun for anyone!
And to further explain, the national nonprofit zero to three, which focuses on the development of infants and toddlers, establishes the stages and estimated ages at which children can begin to doodle, color and write.
- random scribbles (15 months to 2.5 years): For some children, this may be the first time they hold a crayon or paint with their own hands. the scribbles they make are likely the result of large arm movements.
- controlled scribbles (ages 2-3): As children gain more control, their works Art can take more form, such as drawing repeating circles or vertical lines. around this time, you may notice young children holding crayons between their thumb and forefinger.
- lines and patterns (ages 2.5-3.5): According to Zero to Three, young children can understand that writing is made up of lines and curves and that their drawings have meaning. Although their letters and images may not seem very important to us, young children can write something and explain what it is about.
- images of objects or people (between 3 and 5 years): this stage occurs over a period of years. you will notice that your child’s drawings are becoming clearer and more detailed.
- practice of letters and words (between 3 and 5 years): according to zero to three, the Children begin to realize that some words are made up of symbols during this time period. as a result, his doodles begin to change.
again, these are approximate times when these exciting milestones may occur. every child is different and develops on their own timeline.
what skills do young children learn when they are colouring?
Coloring and other art projects are not just methods of passing time with young children. they can really learn a lot from this hands-on activity. Little ones learn creativity when they make art, and creativity is key to learning!
Here are some other developmental skills kids master when they color:
- cause and effect: this may be one of the first markers of development. When toddlers hold a crayon in their hand and then watch the crayon make a mark on a piece of paper when they move it, they are learning that their actions have an impact.
- motor skills: coloring leads to refinement of both gross motor skills and fine motor skills. gross motor skills refer to large muscle movements, and fine motor skills refer to smaller muscle movements. For example, young children are developing gross motor skills when they drag a crayon across a piece of paper. as little ones grow, their fine motor skills come into play as they use their wrists and fingers to maneuver crayons and markers.
- hand-eye coordination: it may seem simple to us, But coloring within the lines of an image requires great hand-eye coordination. Your little ones won’t even realize they’re learning these important skills while coloring because they’ll be having so much fun!
how do you minimize the mess when young children are colouring?
Life with kids is messy, and sometimes there’s no way around it.
When it comes specifically to coloring, there are tools you can buy to make your life a little easier. Like we said earlier, Crayola’s line of Color Wonders is awesome for your toddler to color with markers without getting ink all over skin, clothes, and household surfaces. Color Wonder Markers only work on the Color Wonder Drawing Sheets included with the set. otherwise, the bookmarks are cleared.
another great option is melissa and doug on the go water wow! Coloring Books This game features a refillable water pen that only works in the accompanying coloring book. Images and colors come to life when young children use the pen. once the drawings dry, the colors disappear and they are ready to be filled in again!
how can you get young children to color the books and not the walls and other surfaces?
The best way to ensure young children are coloring inside their books is to supervise and color with them. While it may be tempting to tackle your to-do list while your little one colors independently, stopping them from coloring the page requires immediate correction. if you try to correct the behavior after the fact, chances are the time has passed.
When you color together, praise your child when he or she is coloring the page. Don’t just point out when your little one strays from coloring books. positive reinforcement is very helpful at this age! And remember, it’s not about disciplining, it’s about teaching.
For more tips on disciplining a one-year-old (and applicable to older toddlers as well), check out our article here.
how do you encourage young children to be interested in coloring and participate in artistic activities?
Your child may not show any interest in coloring or other artistic activities, and that’s okay. just try to introduce the activity often. As we explained earlier, experimenting with coloring books and coloring utensils are wonderful opportunities for growth and development.
Here are some ideas to encourage young children to participate in artistic activities.
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- Make coloring and art projects a regular part of playtime. For busy moms, this doesn’t have to be a big production. If your child is more comfortable playing on the floor, simply stick paper or coloring pages on the floor and let your child go to town with some crayons or markers (supervision recommended). Just as you set aside time to read books and eat at mealtimes, make art projects a part of the day.
- Let your child take the lead. This can be easy or difficult depending on her personality. When coloring or creating an art project, keep instructions to a minimum. let’s say you’re drawing a rainbow together. do not point or try to force your child to put the colors in the exact order of the roygbiv rainbow. part of the fun and learning is letting her creativity shine.
- accept the mess. Messy art projects can happen in your home as little or as often as you feel comfortable and have time to do it. but when you create the opportunity, let your toddler fully explore and go wild!
- do projects and activities together. Your toddler will love the attention and closeness. While you’re creating, get your little one talking about the process by asking questions, making observations, and praising him. simple statements like, “wow! you are drawing so many lines on the flower. it makes it look more beautiful!” or “I see you drawing many circles. what are you doing?” can be very effective in building confidence, self-esteem, not to mention language and social skills.
- Experiment with a variety of materials. this tip It comes from the national non-profit organization Zero to Three. The experts there say that kids should paint with cotton balls, swabs, sponges, and more as they approach the age of 3. And this shouldn’t be limited to just to paint have them color with crayons on a textured surface, like a coin or bubble wrap draw with chalk outside on the sidewalk the possibilities are endless!
- turn tantrums into a teachable art project.This is a surprising but effective tip.If your toddler is having a huge tantrum we’re talking about yelling, flailing, the plays, show them how they can let their anger and frustration out through of the art, place an easel or a pencil arra and ask them to express their feelings that way.
- Show your toddler’s masterpieces. Nothing will make your young child prouder than seeing his artwork hanging on the refrigerator or wall.