By 9 and 10, many kids have outgrown "kids’ activities" in their own minds. But coloring, done their way, can still be a favorite pastime: part art practice, part relaxation. Many adults color for the same reasons.
What this age enjoys
- Real art techniques and quality supplies
- Detailed, quirky or cool characters
- Design and customization
- Relaxation and stress relief
- Coloring with friends
Pages that work
Older kids want detail and personality. Good options include Trace Then Color: Alien Cyborgs and Trace Then Color: Weird Creatures, which have lots of parts and textures to work with.
Techniques to master
- Smooth blending with colored pencils
- Shading to create a 3D look
- Highlights with white gel pens
- Texture for fur, scales, slime and metal
- Color theory: complementary, analogous and monochrome schemes
See blending colors and picking colors that go together.
Supplies worth getting
- A good set of colored pencils
- Fine liners for inking
- A white gel pen for highlights
- Watercolor pencils for something new. See watercolor pencils for kids.
- A sketchbook for adding their own drawings
Projects
- Character sheets: color one character in three different color schemes.
- Comics: make a short comic with traced characters.
- Design challenges: redesign a character as a superhero, a villain or a pet.
- Gifts: colored cards and bookmarks for friends and family.
Coloring for stress relief
As school gets more demanding, many older kids feel stress. Coloring is a simple way to unwind. Studies with adults and teens suggest coloring can reduce short-term anxiety. See mindful coloring.
Respect their space
Older kids may prefer coloring alone or with friends rather than with parents. That’s normal. Make supplies available and let them choose.
Questions parents ask
Is my 10-year-old too old for coloring books?
Not at all. Adults color too. Choose books that feel age-appropriate.
Should I get adult coloring books for my 10-year-old?
Some adult coloring books are very detailed and fine for older kids, but check content. Detailed kids’ characters can be a great middle ground.
Can coloring help my child with drawing?
Yes. Coloring builds control and color sense, and studying characters teaches how drawings are built.
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.
