The holidays are exciting, busy and sometimes overwhelming for kids. Coloring gives them a calm, creative way to join in, and colored pages can become decorations and gifts.
12 Christmas coloring ideas
- Homemade cards. Color a character, fold cardstock and write a message.
- Ornaments. Color, cut out, glue onto cardboard and add a ribbon.
- Gift tags. Small colored characters make one-of-a-kind tags.
- Place mats. Color pages and laminate them for the holiday table.
- Garland. Cut out characters and string them across a window.
- Countdown pages. Color one page a day. See coloring advent calendar.
- Wrapping paper. Color on a long roll of brown paper.
- Letters to Santa. Decorate the border with colored characters.
- Thank-you notes. Color a picture to say thanks for gifts.
- Window art. Color on thin paper and tape it to a window to let light through.
- Holiday story. Color characters and write a holiday story.
- Calm corner. Keep pages ready for overexcited moments.
Pages to try
- Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters has Santa, reindeer, elves, snowmen and more to trace and color
- The Mermaids, Unicorns and Other Cute Stuff Coloring and Activity Book adds mazes and puzzles for long winter days
Calm in a busy season
Holiday parties, travel and sugar can overwhelm kids. A quiet coloring break can help. See coloring for anxious kids and winter break coloring.
Gifts kids can give
Kids love giving something they made. A colored, framed page is a great gift for grandparents. See coloring gift basket and coloring stocking stuffers.
Save one Christmas page each year with your child’s name and age. Over time it becomes a lovely keepsake.
Questions parents ask
What age suits Christmas coloring?
All ages. Simple characters for toddlers, crafts and cards for older kids.
How do I make ornaments last?
Glue colored pages onto cardboard and cover with clear tape or laminate.
Are there coloring activities for big family gatherings?
Yes. Set up a coloring table for kids and adults. See family coloring games.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
