Coloring is a wonderful opportunity to practice and perfect developmental skills, such as gross and fine motor skills, concentration, and coordination for early writing abilities. As with most toddler activities, coloring can get messy if you are not paying attention. We’re talking crayon marks on the walls, marker stains on their clothes, and beyond. Whether you can’t stand the mess or you embrace it, we have all the best coloring kits and tools you need to teach and play with your toddler.
Best Coloring Books for Toddlers
The Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons and Coloring Book is a set of 12 chunky, natural, beeswax crayons with a 40 page book made from recycled paper, however, it is a more pricey option; whereas the Crayola Baby Shark Art Set is a less expensive choice and includes 10 ultra-clean markers, 8 ultra-clean crayons, 30 coloring pages, and 2 sticker sheets which all fit in a fin-shaped carrying case.
Crayola Toddler Coloring Book with Activities
![Crayola Toddler Coloring Book with Activities, Educational Gifts for Toddlers, 40 Coloring Pages, Toddler Gifts [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51u6vQI0bhL._SL500_.jpg)
The Crayola Toddler Coloring Book with Activities is not your average coloring book. It is filled with 40 pages of activities to set your little one up for success!
The coloring book is perfect for preschool-aged kids, about 3 years old and up, to practice letters, numbers, counting, matching, and more.
The Crayola Toddler Coloring Book with Activities is best paired with colored pencils or crayons. Markers may bleed through the pages.
I Am Confident, Brave and Beautiful: A Coloring Book for Girls
It is never too early to teach important lessons to young girls, and the I Am Confident, Brave and Beautiful: A Coloring Book for Girls is the perfect opportunity.
This coloring book includes 22 pages that empower young girls to build confidence, imagination, and spirit. Each page of the book has an affirmation and images that reinforce each statement. Young toddlers will just have fun coloring on the vibrant pictures.
I Am Kind, Confident and Brave: A Coloring Book for Boys
A companion coloring set to the one above is the I Am Kind, Confident and Brave: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Boys.
This coloring book for boys helps build self-esteem and confidence. Each page has wonderful affirmations, such as “I am kind” and “I am brave.” Those positive statements are accompanied by special pictures.
The coloring pages are made on quality paper and hold up to markers.
Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons Natural with Coloring Book
The Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons with Coloring Book is a great option for your little one’s first coloring set. You can rest assured that it is safe to use with infants, toddlers and kids of all ages.
Let’s talk about what makes this set unique: the beeswax crayons. These crayons are handmade with 100 percent pure New Zealand beeswax and food-grade pigments for color. The Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons do not contain fillers or paraffin wax. Each crayon is about 2 inches long and 0.8 inches in diameter. They are chubby by design to make it easy for small hands to hold and tough for small hands to break.
The coloring book is made of 100 percent recycled paper. It features 40 pages of simple images of plants and animals that are ready to be colored!
Bendon Sesame Street 64-Page Jumbo Coloring and Activity Book
The Bendon Sesame Street Jumbo Coloring and Activity Book is 64 pages of fun for your creative toddler.
The coloring and activity book features the artwork of beloved Sesame Street characters to color, along with games, puzzles, and other activities. You can easily tear the pages out of the book to instantly hang your little one’s masterpieces on the fridge.
The Bendon Sesame Street Jumbo Coloring and Activity Book is best for toddlers ages 3 years old and up.
Crayola Baby Shark Art Set
Calling all Baby Shark fans! The Crayola Baby Shark Art Set is a great addition to your child’s craft supplies.
This art set features 10 Ultra-Clean Markers, 8 Ultra-Clean Crayons, 30 coloring pages, and 2 sticker sheets all in an adorable fin-shaped convenient carry case.
The Ultra Clean line of markers and crayons wash clean from skin, clothing, and walls. The Crayola Baby Shark Art Set is perfect for travel and will keep your little one entertained for hours!
Wee Creators Washable Dot Markers
You may have noticed a running theme with our coloring sets: mess-free! We are all about no-mess options to give your little one the space to explore but also provide parents with peace of mind. You get both with the Wee Creators Washable Dot Markers.
This set features 10 dot markers that are designed to fit perfectly in your toddler’s hands. Unlike traditional markers which may be difficult for your toddler to remove caps on his or her own, the Wee Creators Washable Dot Markers have large round lids that they themselves can easily twist off. The water-based ink washes off and is 100 percent non-toxic and does not leak.
The activity books are educational too! It comes with an alphabet activity book that features 26 pages with letters to teach your little one letters, letter sounds, and objects. The Dot by Numbers Activity Book also allows toddlers to match the numbers on the marker to the numbers on the page. The end result will reveal a finished scene. Kids will learn numbers and math at the same time.
The Wee Creators Washable Dot Markers and Activity Books encourage gross motor skills, creativity, and color, number, and letter recognition.
Best Coloring Books for 1-Year-Olds
The 123 things BIG & JUMBO Coloring Book and the Vehicles Coloring Book are both coloring books that contain large pictures with thick lines for your little one to practice coloring; whereas the Alex Discover My First Scribble Kids Art and Craft Activity is a book of blank pages for your little one to create and scribble their own designs. It also includes stickers to embellish their creations.
123 things BIG & JUMBO Coloring Book
The 123 things BIG & JUMBO Coloring Book will last your little one a long time.
It contains 124 pages of large, recognizable pictures that your toddler and even big kid will love, including farm animals, flowers, ice cream, and more!
The 123 things BIG & JUMBO Coloring Book is perfect for toddlers who are learning and practicing to color within the lines, as the large pictures make coloring easy and fun!
Alex Discover My First Scribble Kids Art and Craft Activity
The Alex Discover My First Scribble Kids Art and Craft Activity is a great option for older toddlers who want a blank canvas to create their masterpieces.
If your little one has more fun scribbling than coloring in pictures, then this book is for you! It has more than 50 blank pages and nearly 70 stickers to decorate your toddler’s creations.
The pages feature easy-to-follow activities that encourage scribbling, which ultimately leads to drawing, painting, and writing skills. Watch your child develop right before your eyes when interacting with the Alex Discover My First Scribble Kids Art and Craft Activity Book!
Coloring Book Vehicles For Toddlers
The Coloring Book Vehicles For Toddlers by kwabu is a must-have for little ones who are fascinated by planes, trains, and automobiles!
The coloring book contains 25 big vehicle pictures, such as a tractor, spaceship, locomotive, submarine, fire truck, and more. The illustrations are big and have extra thick lines that make it easy for young toddlers to explore and be creative.
The paper is thick and made of quality print, so you won’t need to worry about colors bleeding through. The kwabu Coloring Book Vehicles for Toddlers is best suited for children ages 1-year-old to 3-years-old.
Best Coloring Books for 2-Year-Olds
The Bendon Crayola Big Fun Book to Color is a set of 4 books of different animals with large, thick lined coloring pages for your little one to work on their eye-hand coordination, while the Animal Coloring Book also has coloring pages focused on animals but the pictures are more detailed for the older toddler who is ready for more of a challenge when they color.
My Best Toddler Coloring Book
The My Best Toddler Coloring Book is another educational coloring book that will teach your young toddler many valuable lessons. This is ideal for children ages 1 to 5 years old.
It introduces early counting, simple words, shapes, letters, and animals. The coloring book features more than 100 large pictures with bold lines that help toddlers stay within the lines.
You will be amazed by how much your child absorbs while simply doodling in the My Best Toddler Coloring Book.
Bendon Crayola Big Fun Book to Color
The Bendon Crayola Big Fun Book to Color markets itself as a sugar-free reward or party favor that is perfect for birthday parties, road trips, or quiet time at home, and we couldn’t agree more!
This bundle includes 4 different coloring books that each contain 96 coloring pages. They feature farm animals, sea creatures, and even some activity pages.
The Bendon Crayola Big Fun Coloring Books are affordable options that your busy toddler won’t get bored of.
My First Toddler Coloring Book
Have fun coloring together while also teaching your little one with the My First Toddler Coloring Book.
These coloring pages introduce important skills, such as reading, counting, shapes, animals, and more. The book has more than 100 bold and simple illustrations that reinforce gross motor and recognition skills.
Your children will have a blast coloring with you or on their own!
Kids Coloring Books: Animal Coloring Book
For older toddlers who are mastering coloring more detailed pictures, the Kids Color Books: Animal Coloring Book will surely become a favorite.
This is perfect for little ones who love animals. The pages are packed with pictures of pets, baby animals, woodland creatures, birds, ocean friends, and nature scenes.
And your older toddler or big kid can let their creativity shine! All pictures are printed on a single side, making them easier to color. There is a special black page behind each design to minimize markers bleeding through and to help with displaying the finished artwork around the house.
As an added feature for parents, these coloring pages are published by education experts and coloring book specialists.
The Kids Coloring Books: Animal Coloring Book is best for kids ages 3 years old to 8 years old.
Best Mess-Free Coloring Books
The Crayola Baby Shark Wonder Pages is a set of 18 coloring pages with 5 Color Wonder Markers that color ONLY on the coloring pages. If your child decides to draw on anything else, the markers are clear and mess free. The Melissa & Doug Water Wow has 3 books with 4 pages each that comes with a refillable water pen. As your child colors, the hidden pictures appear but disappear again once the pages dry. The Aqua Magic Doodle Mat is a large, water mat that comes with 5 water markers which color only on the mat and disappear after a short period of time so that your child can draw something new.
Crayola Baby Shark Wonder Pages Mess Free Coloring Gift
Imagine allowing your toddler to color and play with markers quietly while you throw in a quick load of laundry. It seems impossible without making a huge mess, right? Well, not with the Crayola Baby Shark Wonder Pages Mess Free Coloring Gift.
This coloring kit is truly magical! The markers only show their vibrant colors when used on the included coloring pages. That means if your toddler strays off the page and decides to take his or her artistic skills to your white walls, you don’t need to worry. The markers run clear on any other surface!
This color wonder set includes 18 popular Baby Shark coloring pages and 5 Color Wonder Markers. It is contained in a folder-style package that works as storage for your coloring pages and markers. The folder also works as a sturdy backing for your child to color on long car rides.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Kit
If you love the mess-free markers from Crayola’s Baby Shark Mess Free Coloring Set, then there is more to love with the Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Kit.
Let your toddler’s imagination run wild and go beyond set coloring pages with these blank Color Wonder Pads. Similar to the Color Wonder Coloring Books, these markers will only work on the Color Wonder Paper. Keep your little one’s creativity off their clothes, skin, and your carpet.
This set includes two blank 30-page Color Wonder Pads, 10 Classic Color Wonder Mini Markers, and 10 Pastel Color Wonder Mini Markers. Your toddler will be entertained for hours creating their own masterpieces!
The Color Wonder markers never dry out. They are safe and non-toxic and ideal for children 3 years and up. We introduced these to my daughter around 18 months with supervision, and she was amazed!
Melissa & Doug Water Wow Bundle: Farm, Safari & Under The Sea
We are continuing with the no-mess theme with the Melissa & Doug Water Wow Bundle: Farm, Safari & Under The Sea.
This kit is a unique paint-with-water spiral-bound coloring and activity book. You may be wondering how this works. Each set comes with a no-mess, refillable water pen. Each stroke of the water pen will reveal hidden pictures. Once the pages dry, the pictures magically disappear. Kids can do this over and over because the coloring pages are reusable!
The water pen is chunky and easy for young toddlers to hold. They store in the front cover of the activity books, so you don’t have to worry about losing the magic pen. These books are also compact and have a hardback cover, so they are perfect for travel.
The Melissa & Doug Water Wow Bundle contains three coloring books in a farm, safari, and under the sea theme, so your little one will learn fun facts about the animals as they color. Each spiral-bound pad has 4 reusable pages.
These water-painting books help promote fine motor skills and early writing skills, as well as sparking imaginative play.
Jasonwell Aqua Magic Doodle Mat
Now to a truly interactive coloring “book” experience: the Jasonwell Aqua Magic Doodle Mat.
This product is not your traditional coloring book, but your toddler can get just as creative and hands-on while playing with it. The Jasonwell Aqua Magic Doodle Mat features a large 39.5 inches by 31.5 inches drawing mat that can entertain multiple children at the same time.
Here’s how the doodle mat works. Included in the set are 5 magic pens, which must be filled with water and only work on the mat. After 3 to 10 minutes, drawings magically disappear, so kids can create new drawings over and over again.
This is perfect to use on the floor or you can attach it to a smooth wall or window using the 4 suction cups, which are included. This set also comes with one design booklet, 6 stamps, 6 drawing templates, and 6 drawing molds. When your child is done playing, simply fold up the mat and materials and compactly tuck everything away in the accompanying storage box.
The border of the doodle mat features letters of the alphabet with corresponding animal images and names for extra learning fun.
The Jasonwell Aqua Magic Doodle Mat is a unique, reusable coloring option that is safe for kids, does not create a big mess, and saves on doodling paper.
Best Crayons for Toddlers
The Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection is a set of 152 crayons made from paraffin wax, one sharpener, and a carrying caddy; the Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons is a 12 count of chunky beeswax crayons; the JoyousJays 3-in-1 Jumbo Colored Pencils have 12 different colors in this set of pencils that can be used as either crayons, watercolors, or colored pencils; and the Crayola Washable Marker Set includes 32 different colors, including 8 washable window markers and 8 gel FX markers. They are part of the ultra-clean line that washes clean from clothes, body’s, and household surfaces.
Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection Coloring Set
Every budding artist needs the right tools, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with the Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection Coloring Set.
This crayon set will last you a long time with 152 crayons, one crayon sharpener, and one portable caddy. All the classic colors are included, as well as specialty colors, such as metallic and glitter crayons.
You won’t need to worry about your young toddler breaking multiple crayons in each art session. Simply bring out a few at a time to let little ones express their creativity. These crayons are also double wrapped for added durability and strength.
The portable caddy doubles as a convenient carry case and storage. These crayons included in the Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection Coloring Set are non-toxic and safe for children ages 3 years old and up.
Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons Natural
If your young toddler is not quite ready for traditional, skinny crayons but loves to color or follow what big brother or sister is doing, give the Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons Natural a try.
They are short and stout, making these crayons the perfect size for little hands. This set includes 12 different colors.
The Honeysticks are made of pure New Zealand beeswax, so they are safe if they inadvertently make it into toddler’s mouths. (Which may happen because these have a sweet honey smell!)
The Honeystick Beeswax Crayons are perfect for children ages 1-year-old and up.
JoyousJays 3-in-1 Jumbo Colored Pencils For Kids
We love investing in products that serve more than one purpose, and that’s exactly why the JoyousJays 3-in-1 Jumbo Colored Pencils for Kids makes our list!
These large colored pencils also work as a crayon and watercolor paint. They have a lead diameter of 8 millimeters and are chunky enough for small hands to help improve their grip. Unlike traditional crayons, these jumbo-colored pencils won’t break easily.
To paint with JoyousJays pencils, simply use the small paintbrush included in the set, dip it in water and make strokes over the colored image to create a watercolor effect. The colored pencils can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, whiteboard, plastic, metal, and mirrors. They easily erase from smooth surfaces, such as glass or plastic.
The JoyousJays 3-in-1 Jumbo Colored Pencils Set is non-toxic and completely safe for children to use. It also includes a sharpener, so these colored pencils will last your family a long time.
Crayola Washable Marker Set
Handing markers to a toddler can be a recipe for disaster, but it does not have to be with the Crayola Washable Marker Set.
This variety pack features 48 “Ultra-Clean” markers. It is Crayola’s line of washable markers that wash clean from skin, clothes, and common household surfaces, including painted walls.
The set has 32 different colors with duplicates of the 16 most popular colors, 8 washable window markers, and 8 gel FX markers. The gel markers are great to use on dark colored paper, plastic, foil, and glass to create special effects. The window markers work on household and car windows, glass picture frames, mirrors, and more. The possibilities are endless, and your toddler will love experimenting on different surfaces!
School Smart Washable Tempera Paint
If handing markers to your toddler makes you nervous, then paint is likely a non-starter. The good news is that we have tips to share on how to remove paint from kids’ clothing and the right paint to use when doing toddler art projects. Enter the School Smart Washable Tempera Paint!
This paint is used in many classrooms because it washes easily from skin and most machine washable clothing without leaving a stain. The paint is also non-toxic, which makes it safe for kids.
The School Smart Washable Tempera Paint Set features 12 assorted colors in pint containers.
Painting, particularly finger painting, is a wonderful sensory activity for young toddlers to explore and learn about colors.
To read our tips on how to remove paint from children’s clothing, check out our article here for step-by-step instructions.
Comparing the Best Coloring Books for Toddlers
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FAQs – Coloring Books For Toddlers
What is an appropriate age to introduce coloring books?
There is no magic age when children are ready to color. Each will show signs of readiness at different times. A good rule of thumb to see if your child might be ready is to gauge when he or she stops putting everything in his or her mouth. While many of the products included here are safe and non-toxic, chewing crayons is not pleasant for anyone!
And to explain even further, the national non-profit Zero to Three, which focuses on baby and toddler development, lays out the stages and estimated ages on when children may begin to scribble, color, and write.
- Random Scribbling (between 15 months old to 2.5 years old): For some children, this may be the first time they hold a crayon or paint with their own hands. The scribbles they make are likely the result of large movements with their arms.
- Controlled Scribbling (between 2 years old to 3 years old): As children gain more control, their artwork may take on more shape, such as drawing repeated circles or vertical lines. Around this time, you may notice toddlers holding crayons between their thumb and index fingers.
- Lines and Patterns (between 2.5 years old to 3.5 years old): According to Zero to Three, toddlers may understand that writing is made up of lines and curves and that their drawings have meaning. While their letters and pictures may not look like much to us, toddlers may write something down and explain what it is to you.
- Pictures of Objects or People (between 3 years old to 5 years old): This stage happens over a period of years. You will notice your toddler’s drawings are becoming clearer and more detailed.
- Letter and Word Practice (between 3 years to 5 years old): According to Zero to Three, kids begin to realize that some words are made of symbols during this time period. As a result, their scribbles begin to change.
Again, these are approximate times when these exciting milestones may occur. Each child is different and develops on his or her own timeline.
What skills do toddlers learn when they are coloring?
Coloring and other art projects are not simply methods to pass the time with toddlers. They can truly learn a great deal with this hands-on activity. Little ones learn creativity when they make art, and creativity is key to learning!
Here are some other developmental skills children master when coloring:
- Cause and Effect: This may be one of the earliest developmental markers. When toddlers hold a crayon in their hand and then watch that crayon make a mark on a piece of paper when they move it, they are learning their actions have an impact.
- Motor Skills: Coloring leads to the fine-tuning of both gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills refer to large muscle movements, and fine motor are the smaller muscle movements. For example, toddlers are developing gross motor skills when they drag a crayon across a sheet of paper. As little ones get older, their fine motor skills come into play as they use their wrists and fingers to maneuver crayons and markers.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: It may seem simple to us, but coloring inside the lines of a picture requires some serious hand-eye coordination. Your little ones won’t even realize they are learning these important skills while coloring because they’ll be having too much fun!
How do you minimize the mess when toddlers are coloring?
Life with kids is messy, and sometimes there is no way around it.
When it comes specifically to coloring, there are tools you can purchase to make your life a bit easier. As we stated above, Crayola’s Color Wonder line is amazing to get your toddler coloring with markers without the ink getting all over their skin, clothes, and household surfaces. The Color Wonder markers only work on the Color Wonder drawing sheets included with the set. Otherwise, the markers run clear.
Another great option is the Melissa and Doug On the Go Water Wow! Coloring Books. This set features a refillable water pen that only works on the attached coloring book. Pictures and colors come to life as toddlers use the pen. Once the drawings dry, the colors disappear and are ready to be filled in again!
How can you get toddlers to color in books and not on walls and other surfaces?
The best way to make sure toddlers are coloring inside their books is to supervise and color with them. While it may be tempting to tackle your to-do list while your little one colors independently, stopping them from coloring off the page takes immediate correction. If you try to correct the behavior after the fact, the moment has likely passed.
When coloring together, praise your child when he or she is coloring on the page. Don’t just point out when your little one strays from the coloring books. Positive reinforcement is so helpful at this age! And remember, this is not about disciplining but rather teaching.
For more tips on how to discipline a one-year-old (and applicable with older toddlers as well), check out our article here.
How do you encourage toddlers to become interested in coloring and engage in art activities?
Your child may not show any interest in coloring or other art activities, and that’s okay. Simply try to introduce the activity often. As we explained above, experimenting with coloring books and coloring utensils are wonderful opportunities for growth and development.
Here are just a few ideas to encourage toddlers to engage in art activities.
- Make coloring and art projects a normal part of playtime. For busy moms, this does not have to be a big production. If your child is more comfortable playing on the floor, simply tape some paper or coloring pages to the floor and let your child go to town with some crayons or markers (supervision is highly recommended). Just as you set aside time to read books and eat at mealtimes, make art projects a part of the day.
- Let your child take the lead. This may be easy or difficult depending on your personality. When coloring or creating an art project, keep directions to a minimum. Let’s say you are drawing a rainbow together. Don’t point out or try to force your child to put the colors in the exact ROYGBIV rainbow order. Part of the fun and learning is letting their creativity shine through.
- Embrace the mess. Messy art projects can happen in your house as little or often as you are comfortable with and have time for. But when you do create the opportunity for it, let your toddler fully explore and go wild!
- Do projects and activities together. Your toddler will love the attention and closeness. While you are creating, get your little one to talk through the process by asking questions, making observations, and giving praise. Simple statements like, “Wow! You are drawing so many lines on the flower. It makes it look more beautiful!” or “I see you drawing a lot of circles. What are you making?” can be very effective in building confidence, self-esteem, not to mention, language and social skills.
- Experiment with a variety of materials. This tip comes from the national non-profit Zero to Three. Experts there say children should paint with cotton balls, q-tips, sponges, and more as they near the age of 3 years old. And this should not just be limited to painting. Have them color with crayons over a textured surface, such as a coin or bubble wrap. Draw with chalk outside on the sidewalk. The possibilities are endless!
- Turn tantrums into a teachable art project. This is a surprising, yet effective tip. If your toddler is throwing a major tantrum – we’re talking screaming, flailing, the works – show them how they can let out their anger and frustration through art. Set up an easel or a chalkboard and have them express their feelings that way.
- Display your toddler’s masterpieces. Nothing will make your toddler feel more proud than seeing his or her artwork hanging on the refrigerator or wall.
