12 Best DIY Coloring Projects for Little Artists

12 Best DIY Coloring Projects for Little Artists

Coloring is one of the most popular activities for playtime--kids love using their creativity and making their own works of art. Still, even the most dedicated little artists can get tired of the same old sketchbook and crayons. When you start hearing the rainy-day refrain of "I'm bored," just suggest one of the following activities and watch your kid fall in love with coloring all over again!

1. Coloring Pages

This is a classic coloring activity for a reason--coloring pages are beloved by kids, readily available, and mess-free. Better yet, they can even be customized to a child's own interests by selecting coloring pages with their favorite cartoon characters, superheroes, or animals. This old standby is also perfect for siblings of different ages because younger siblings can color simpler pictures with thick outlines, and older children can tackle more intricate designs. Parents can purchase full coloring books for road trips or simply print a single page for a quick (and free!) rainy day activity.

2. Fuzzy Velvet Coloring Pages

These are a great choice for kids who love tactile play. Fuzzy velvet coloring pages are exactly like regular coloring pages, except that the lines in the drawing are replaced with raised lines of velvet, making the finished project soft and fun to touch. While slightly more expensive than regular coloring pages, the addition of fuzzy velvet makes this project more memorable and exciting for kids. Bonus: the raised velvet makes it easier for young kids to color inside the lines.

3. Watercolors

Watercolors are a great choice for kids who tend to be on the messier side. Not only are most watercolor paints formulated to wash right out of clothing, but there are no lines to color inside. If they need some ideas, just challenge them to paint a family portrait or their favorite family memories and see what they come up with. Kids can exercise their creativity to the fullest extent with this project.

4. Fingerpainting

Also a great choice for tactile play, fingerpainting is a fun way for kids to develop gross motor skills and self-expression. Although it is critical that the paint is both washable and non-toxic because of the messy nature of this activity, the need for special supplies ends there--no brushes necessary. Just make sure to lay down some newspaper first!

5. Scratch and Sketch Paper

Think of this activity as "reverse coloring." Instead of applying color to paper, kids use a stylus to scratch designs into the black coating on the sheets, revealing rainbow, holographic, or patterned foil underneath. This is a great choice for kids who would enjoy the element of surprise in this activity, and perfect for situations where carting around a full pack of markers or crayons would be difficult. Depending on a kid's preference, scratch and sketch paper comes in plain packs and in themed activity books with outlines, which makes creating great art even easier.

6. Shrinky-Dinks

Shrinky-Dinks are a great choice for kids who want coloring and a craft in one. First, choose between pre-printed design sheets or plain ones where kids can draw or trace their own designs. Next, when the designs are fully colored, use scissors to trim around the edge of the design and bake! The sheets will shrink and harden in the oven into colorful charms, perfect for creating jewelry, keychains, or anything your kid can imagine out of their original artwork.

7. DIY Window Decals

Just like DIY stained glass! Using peelable paint (fabric paint and puffy paint are both great choices), kids can outline and fill in their designs on a hard plastic surface. Make sure to use thick layers of paint and to let dry overnight. Once dry, the decals can be peeled away from the plastic and stuck to any glass surface--windows, car windows, mirrors, etc. 

8. Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalking is a fantastic way for kids to engage in creative play without being stuck inside. Not only are packs of sidewalk chalk extremely inexpensive compared to other art supplies, chalking eliminates the need to purchase art paper or save and store your child's art. In addition, kids can be as messy as they like while creating their masterpieces--everything will be washed away the next time it rains.

9. Face- and Body-painting

This is a fun partner activity--kids can use their fingers or small brushes to create small designs or full-face artwork on each other. As with fingerpainting, it's important to choose paints that are both non-toxic and washable. Still, this activity will be memorable for kids and great for pictures--perfect to add a special memory during birthday parties and other celebrations.

10. Bath Paints

For kids who dread bathtime, using bath paints can not only reduce complaints but even make baths something to look forward to. These paints are easy to find in stores or DIY in a variety of bright colors, and they are formulated to avoid staining the tub and the walls. Kids will love the freedom of painting on the walls and themselves.

11. Potato Stamps

Potato stamps can be a craft project on their own, or they can add visual interest to other art projects. To make them, cut a potato (or other firm root vegetables) in half, then use a knife to carve a shape into the potato to make a stamp. This project is a kid favorite--they get to customize the "stamps" and experiment with a new medium. Better yet, potatoes are cheaper and more readily accessible than store-bought stamps, and much more engaging.

12. Pottery Painting

Businesses like Color Me Mine charge exorbitant rates for this experience, but it's just as easy to buy pottery and paint at a craft store and have the DIY experience at home. Kids will love being able to customize their own mugs, piggy banks, or figurines, and they'll be able to treasure their creations for years to come.

 These 12 coloring activity ideas are as kid-friendly as they come, and many of them produce lasting crafts that can be played with or used around the home. The next time your little artist is looking for a new kind of masterpiece, suggest one of the ideas above. They're all guaranteed to minimize cost and mess, but maximize creativity and fun.