Whether one is free-form drawing or filling in coloring book pages, the actual act of coloring helps to relax the amygdala. This is the fear center of the brain, and by relaxing it, you are essentially reducing stress. In fact, coloring can have the same benefits as meditating. This is true for both young children as well as adults, so it stands to reason that art is an essential part of our well-being. Encouraging art play is important, and while it's best to provide a wide range of opportunities to explore different mediums, it can also be really fun to include coloring books in our toolbox of art supplies. Here we've rounded up some of our very favorite coloring books for kids. From toddlerhood through the teen years, our list includes everyone. Ganit Levy’s Super Girl Mindset Coloring Book The mega-popular book What Should Darla Do? offers a confidence-boosting experience that encourages creativity, bravery, kindness, and big dreams. Whether your kid’s a Darla fan or not, this coloring book is a fantastic choice for the quiet time corner. Featuring over 70 pages for coloring, over 100 add-on stickers, and mindful phrases sprinkled throughout, this is a delightful, interactive coloring book that’ll provide hours of endless fine motor practice and creative-boosting fun. With thick, quality pages, adorable illustrations both large and small, and tiny details that spark creativity, this book is a must-have for elementary-aged kiddos. Pros: Includes confidence-boosting affirmations Thick, quality paper withstands heavy marker use Includes sticker sheets Cons: The pages aren’t perforated Some of the smaller details are best for older children or more advanced fine motor skills Silly Bear Unicorn Coloring Book Chock-full of unicorn illustrations, this coloring book is just waiting for the right vibrant, colorful touch. With over 50 single-sided pages, your child will delight in this magical world of rainbows, stars, castles, and more. And while there are plenty of smaller details for older kiddos, there are plenty of larger designs to delight the just-learning crowd, too. Sharp lines and creative, fantasy-filled illustrations help to engage your little one, which is a definite aid in working on those fine motor skills. Pros: Over 50 fantasy-themed pages One-sided sheets for hanging favorites when completed Nice mix of both detailed and simple illustrations Cons: There are repeat coloring pages It’s best to use colored pencils and crayons JD Evers’ The Ultimate Colouring Book for Boys & Girls With over 100 pages, this book is filled to the brim with nearly every shape, character, and animal imaginable. Designed for ages 4+, there’s a nice variety of complexity, making this book totally appropriate up until around age 10. Excellent for practicing fine motor skills, this book will also boost creativity and imagination, and it’ll provide a source of calm, quiet activity for those indoor days. Pros: Huge variety of characters for a wide range of skill levels Helps to improve fine motor skills Includes both realistic and fantastical characters Cons: Heavier-duty markers will bleed through The book doesn’t lay totally flat when coloring Happy Toddlerz My Best Toddler Coloring Book Coloring books aren’t just for the big kids. This eye-catching book is filled with over 100 illustrations of a variety of shapes, letters, numbers, and more, and it’s specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. And for tots interested in learning numbers or letters, there are a number of simpler pages sprinkled throughout containing just a number or letter. With thick, concise lines, cute characters corresponding to a letter, and plenty of silly illustrations to hold your child’s interest, this is an excellent book for introducing coloring-book fun. Pros: Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers Helps to reinforce numbers and letters Aids in fine motor skill development Cons: We wish the pages had perforated edges Pages are not single-sided Back to School Essentials Playful Patterns Coloring Book It’s no secret that spending time coloring in a coloring book helps to reduce stress and increase relaxation, and on top of that, it’s a wonderful outlet for creative energy. While there are plenty of coloring books for elementary-age children and oodles of coloring books made for adults, this one is specifically designed for pre-teens and teenagers. Filled with single-sided thick pages that won’t bleed through, this book offers plenty of unique patterns throughout each thoughtfully-designed page. Travel size, it’s ideal for taking on longer trips, too. The only problem? It’ll be hard not to steal a page or two for yourself. Pros: Fun, fresh designs for older kids May help to reduce anxiety and stress Includes detailed mandalas and whimsical illustrations galore Cons: The paper quality isn’t the best, so be sure to put a sheet of paper underneath to reduce transfer if using markers The book is a bit small, which is ideal for traveling but maybe not for use at home Frequently Asked Questions Are coloring books okay for creativity? If you’re trying to encourage creative, free-form drawing, a coloring book might not be the best way to go. However, they are wonderful for stress-release, and sadly, even youngsters can get quite stressed out. Plus, they’re ideal for boosting fine motor skills, and they can help your children strengthen their understanding of color, pattern, shapes, and more. They’re a delightful item to keep on hand for inside days or quiet time, and they can be a wonderful addition for road trips or travel. If you’re concerned with creativity, provide a wide range of art activities. How can you prevent markers bleeding through? First, you’ll need to make sure that you purchase a coloring book that has only one-sided sheets. You can put thicker pieces of paper underneath the sheet you’re working on, or even rip each individual page out and color in the lines outside of the book. However, if the quality is lacking, you might just need to go with crayons and pencils; sometimes, markers are just too much. Related posts: The Best Robot Dogs For Kids The Best Puppy Playpens The Best Shag Rugs