It is tempting to hand over the crayons and use coloring time to catch up on chores. Sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed. But when you can, sitting down and coloring alongside your child turns a simple activity into something special.
Why it matters
Connection
Side-by-side activities are a low-pressure way to spend time together. No eye contact needed, no agenda. Many kids open up while their hands are busy.
Modeling
Kids learn by watching. When they see you slow down near edges, try a pattern or calmly fix a mistake, they pick up those habits.
Longer focus
Children often color longer when an adult is beside them.
Conversation
Talking while coloring builds vocabulary and gives kids a chance to share their day. See talk while you color.
Calm for you
Many adults find coloring relaxing. It’s a good break for you too.
How to color with your child
- Color your own page. Don’t take over theirs.
- Follow their lead. If they want to chat, chat. If they want quiet, color quietly.
- Be playful. Use silly colors, add a mustache, laugh at mistakes.
- Don’t compete. Keep your page simple so theirs isn’t overshadowed.
- Admire each other’s work. "I love your purple dog." "Your green sky is cool."
Fun shared activities
- Swap halfway. Each color half a page, then swap.
- Matching characters. Both color the same character and compare.
- Grumpy face off. Each color a grumpy face, then tell why they’re grumpy. Trace Then Color: Grumpy Faces is perfect for this.
- Family portrait. Each person colors a cartoon person to look like a family member. Trace Then Color: Cartoon People makes this easy.
Finding the time
You don’t need an hour. Ten minutes after dinner, a weekend morning or before bed adds up. Even sitting down for the first five minutes of a coloring session makes a difference.
Questions parents ask
I’m not artistic. Does it matter?
Not at all. Kids don’t care how well you color; they care that you’re there.
Should I correct my child’s coloring while we color together?
No. Model gently by coloring your own page.
My child wants me to color their page. Should I?
Occasionally helping is fine, but encourage them to do most of it. Offer to color your own copy.
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.
