National Coloring Book Day

National Coloring Book Day is dedicated to the joy both children and adults experience from coloring. For many decades, coloring has remained a favorite pastime for people of all ages. It helps children develop creativity and artistic taste, and offers adults a calming escape from daily stress.

History

The first coloring books were produced in 1880. Their popularity surged in the early 20th century with the release of comics in a coloring format. By the 1960s, coloring books became widely available for children, offering a variety of themes, page counts, and difficulty levels. In the 1980s, educators began using coloring books as teaching tools in subjects like biology.

In the 21st century, adult coloring books emerged—often filled with intricate or abstract designs meant to reduce anxiety. These quickly became a bestseller category in bookstores and online platforms.

National Coloring Book Day was established in 2015 by Dover Publications to promote the joy of coloring and highlight the wide variety of books available for both kids and adults.

Interesting Facts

• Anti-stress coloring is most effective when you color freely, without worrying about perfect color combinations.
• Paint-by-number kits, which range from very simple to highly detailed, are a popular variation of coloring.
• Many people now enjoy digital coloring through apps and websites that offer endless templates and tools.

How to Take Part

Color on your own or invite friends or family to join. You can hold a friendly contest—everyone colors the same image, and the most creative or harmonious version wins a prize. Or work together on one large design to create something colorful and collaborative.

When is National Coloring Book Day in 2025?

National Coloring Book Day is observed on August 2 each year.

Observations