Animals

Fun things to do with these coloring pages

Once you’ve picked a sheet, the fun is just starting. Here are some of our favourite ways families, teachers and grown-ups put free printable coloring pages to use.

Coloring tips for every age

A few small choices make any coloring page look better and feel more relaxing. These work whether you’re four years old or forty.

1. 1

   Pick the right tool

   Crayons are forgiving and great for little hands. Colored pencils give you precise edges and gentle shading. Markers are bold and dramatic — slip a backing sheet underneath so they don’t bleed through.

2. 2

   Start light, then layer

   It’s much easier to add color than to take it away. Lay down a soft base layer first, then push harder on the spots you want to make richer or darker.

3. 3

   Use a backing sheet

   Slip a piece of cardboard or a second printout under your page. It protects your table, gives you a firmer surface to press against, and stops marker bleed onto the page underneath.

4. 4

   Hang it, gift it, scan it

   A finished page makes a perfect fridge magnet, classroom display, handmade greeting card, or scanned keepsake to send to grandparents far away.

Frequently asked questions