Don’t we?
Maybe you’re reluctant to admit just how much you enjoy coloring.
It does feel a bit juvenile.
Fortunately, some clever marketers have introduced “adult coloring books,” so you don’t have to be embarrassed anymore.
Similar to the meditative practice ofZentangle, the grown-up coloring book trend has skyrocketed — an unexpected gift for adults who were hesitant to try it.
The designs are intricate. There are no princesses or talking animals. And the cover even says “Adult.”
Clearly, this is meant for grown-ups.
Why Adult Coloring Books Appeal to Us
I’ll confess, I resisted the adult coloring book trend for a while.
I tend to be a curmudgeon who dislikes anything labeled a “trend.”
But as tends to happen, my sisters convinced me of its benefits by arriving at Christmas with a stack of books and Crayola markers.
In an era when nearly everyone can’t get through a day without staring at a screen and dealing with the stress, worry and demands it brings, we crave small escapes.
Sure, you could go for an extra run, try a yoga session, tidy a room or start baking.
But sometimes you just want to relax. Adult coloring books let you do exactly that.
The patterns may seem more complex than children’s versions, but really, they’re just many tiny areas to fill in however you like.
They’re repetitive and often balanced.
The hues you pick don’t drastically change the finished piece’s quality.
They simply feelniceto color.
Once I finally gave it a go, I reluctantly became a convert.
Where to Find Budget-Friendly Adult Coloring Books
But did I mention these coloring books — unlike the inexpensive kids’ versions — usually cost about $10 each?
I knew why I disliked the word “trend.” It typically brings a steep price.
Luckily I’m thrifty — I won’t accept inflated costs.
I uncovered several free alternatives to costly adult coloring books. And they still deliver the calming experience.
Take a look at these:
1. Coloring Pages for Adults
Coloring Pages for Adults does exactly what it sounds like: hundreds of free adult designs you can download and print.
2. Easy Peasy and Fun
This site aims to make life “easy-peasy and fun.”
It provides crafts and activities for children — but also includes some original free adult coloring pages.
If you want more than the samples, the creator also offers full PDF ebooks for purchase.
3. Crayola
Alongside the usual kids’ coloring pages and activities, Crayola’s site has free printable coloring pages for adults.
4. Coloring Life
Another site exclusively featuring free adult coloring pages, Coloring Life includes unique categories like the 2016 U.S. Presidential election.
Adult Coloring Book Apps
If you don’t have a printer and don’t want to trek to the library or an office store to prepare for a calm afternoon, here are some choices you can use directly on your computer, phone or tablet.
Of course, using these apps means more screen exposure. But while “coloring” digitally doesn’t give the completely unplugged sensation of paper, it was still preferable to me than endlessly scrolling Twitter or filling my mind with a game.
There are many adult coloring apps, so you can pick your favorite.
Here are a few I’ve tried:
5. HelloKids
As the name implies, the HelloKids site provides coloring pages, games and activities for children as well as coloring pages for adults.
You’ll need to view an ad before accessing a design.
But the neat part is you can print images to color by hand, or use the built-in tool to color on the screen.
6. Color Therapy
The Color Therapy app for iPhone and iPad is very popular with teens lately (despite my dislike of the term “very popular”).
While it works on an iPhone, my 30-ish eyes don’t enjoy focusing on the small display.
I’d suggest the iPad version for an experience closer to a paper page.
Color Therapy includes a range of free patterns, with new ones added weekly.
The app is supported by in-app purchases for extra patterns and palettes, along with occasional advertisements.
7. Colorfly
Although similar to Color Therapy, I preferColorflyon iOS for its simpler interface.
With fewer in-app purchases, you encounter fewer ads, and even the promotional content for the free version is unobtrusive.
If you want an entirely ad-free setup, you can subscribe to the premium version for $1.99 per week.
8. Coloring for Grown-Ups
The app adaptation of the 2012 activity book Coloring for Grown-Ups is ideal if you’re too skeptical to embrace the soothing, swirling designs of typical adult coloring books (I get it.)
This app lets you keep your sarcasm intact by musing on the “mind-numbing realities of modern adult life” while you relax.
It’s like going out for drinks. Only with crayons.
It isn’t free; it costs 99 cents to download on iOS, but it’s worth a look if you’re not quite prepared to join the full-on Zen crowd.
Your turn: Do you enjoy adult coloring books? Do you purchase them or use one of these budget-friendly methods to save money?
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) used to write for Savinly.com. She also writes about writing, life, comedy and love for blogs and books and sometimes about topics others care about, such as Huffington Post and that one time an article of hers ran in The Onion.
