8 great ways to use relaxing coloring pages

There’s almost something magical about coloring books. Many kids love them. And now, adult coloring books are all the rage. These relaxing coloring pages recall youthful days with bright new crayons. Do you remember the joy of opening that new box of crayons with all the exotic colors and none of them broken or with flat tips? The only thing I didn’t like was the smell. Paraffin makes me sneeze, but I digress.

Have you thought of these adult coloring books as a way to relax? Maybe you’ve only thought of coloring as an artistic activity, a form of self-expression. But, there are many other ways to use them throughout your day. And during the holidays and other stressful times, you might appreciate some of these other ideas for using relaxing coloring pages in your day as a form of self-care.

8 Great Ways to Use Relaxing Coloring Pages

Stress Relief Tool

The first way to use them as self-care is not surprising. It is the most common one! After all, studies on coloring and stress reduction show that it is effective in reducing stress levels. Coupled with deep breathing, it puts the body into a somewhat meditative state, bringing a calm focus. Keep this in mind when you know you will face a stressful situation, such as a difficult relative or appointment. Otherwise, you might like to try some of these ways to stay calm from my Healthy Mom Hacks for the Holidays series.

But, how exactly do you use them as a stress relief tool? Keeping an adult coloring book, art journaling Bible, or blank art cards in strategic places in your house or car help. Having planned times in the day for you to take a break and use relaxing coloring pages is essential.

Mid Day Break

Whether you are at home or at work, keeping some relaxing coloring pages around may offer a short break. Give yourself permission to take a few minutes to debrief, decompress, destress. Because your brain needs a rest sometimes, intentionally setting aside some coloring time gives it a break. If you do this, you will come back refreshed and calm, better able to face whatever the rest of the day brings. And, it’s fun!

Keep some in a pretty box near your kitchen table or in the room where you are teaching your children. That way, coloring pages are handy and easy to grab. While they are doing their work, you can color. Or, while they are watching a video lesson, playing a game, or doing another activity, take a break and do some coloring.

Relaxing Coloring Pages Offer Creative Expression

Completing pages in an adult coloring book offers a creative outlet, especially for those who think they aren’t artistic. The finely drawn designs give a framework for infinite creative possibilities. Plus, each completed page is unique and individual, just like something done freehand. In addition, you get an opportunity to create something beautiful and professional looking, even if all you can draw is a stick figure. Completed pages, especially if they feature a Bible verse, can be framed, providing beautiful and inexpensive art for your home. So, if you want to complete a piece of art you’re proud of, take out that adult coloring book!

It also provides an easy and clean art project for your older children. I love coloring as a quiet time activity for younger children and a way to teach older children how to self-regulate their emotions. Model this with your own relaxing coloring pages!

Artwork for Notecards

In these times of e-vites, emails, and AI created letters, there’s nothing more personal than a handwritten card with a human colored or drawn image. Make people feel special by sending them your completed art notecards! These are smaller versions of relaxing coloring pages and are more portable than a full-sized adult coloring book. They often come in sets with their own box. You can make this a family project that is both relaxing and purposeful or you can use it as an excuse to do some self-care. Tell your kids, “Mom is going to color these cards now so she can send some nice thank you’s (or get well’s or whatever) to …….” so you guys need to go play for a while.”

Book Covers

Another way to sneak in some of that self care is to use that gorgeous artwork for creating custom book covers for yourself or your kids. Use your pieces for your binders and journals, or as a protective covering for students’ textbooks. First, carefully tear or cut your completed work of art out of the book. Then, add a title in permanent marker, wax crayon, or other colorful writing tool. I like to add a bit of calligraphy flair. Last, slip it into your binder or glue or tape it to the plain brown book cover on your journal or textbook. You could also use contact paper, shipping tape, or an epoxy. Tada! You just transformed the blah into bamglam pretty.

Candles, Cake, and Coloring Party

This self care idea for those relaxing coloring pages requires a bit of planning and a babysitter (or maybe a couple of dads…). You can get together and have a party featuring coloring pages! Add in some cake and candles and you’ve got a ladies night out! What could be better than relaxing coloring pages, great conversation with friends, and cake? So, if you want to plan one of these events, you might need to provide coloring books. Otherwise, invite them to bring their own.

Bible Verse Memory Aid

Including some relaxing coloring pages in your morning basket can be a great way to learn Bible verses and meditate on God’s word. After all, for some people, doing something with their hands helps them remember. So, when they want to learn Bible verses, they might try coloring them. There are a few ways to go about this. If this describes you, read on. First, you might try an illustrated Bible. An illustrated Bible includes space on the sides of the verses for you to draw or include fancy lettering. If you want to see this in action and get tips, check out this video.

Another option is doing a word study. In a word study, the Bible focus is on a particular word in Scripture, what it means and how it’s used. You first choose a word in the passage you are studying. Then, you discover its original meaning through a concordance. Next, you look at how the word is used in the rest of the Bible.

Once you have done all this, then you can create a vision board type illustration for yourself. This is how you do it. You put the word in the center in fancy lettering and circle it. Then, you write the definition under it. After that, you create spokes or some other lines coming out from that central word. Finally, write the verse citation where you find that word at the end of each spoke. This isn’t exactly relaxing coloring pages, but it is a visual study aid for learning the Bible.

Coloring the actual verses is another option. Tracing the letters and adding in color helps people remember better. Use this tool the next time you’re having trouble memorizing Bible verses!

Relaxing Coloring Pages For Your Bedtime Ritual

Because adult coloring books help you relax, they just might make a nice addition to your bedtime routine. Instead of reading that new fantasy novel, try some relaxing coloring pages instead. It might just do the trick to calm your mind, engage your senses, and set yourself up for peaceful dreams. When you’ve had a hard, stressful day, unwind with some coloring.

Concluding thoughts

So, if you want to try relaxing coloring pages to help you with self care, keep a box of art cards or an adult coloring book in your morning basket, near your bedside, or near your kitchen table to encourage the habit. Incorporate how you might use the coloring pages to decorate your home, memorize scripture, or bless someone to bring additional purpose to this self care option. Explore the rest of the Self Care for Christian Moms series or check out my other series, Healthy Mom Hacks, for additional encouragement and practical tips.

This post is also part of the series below: