11 Great Large Coloring Books for Adults

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Adult coloring books have been popular for several years now, so much so that they’ve niched down into patterns, collections, and even large coloring books. These are particularly helpful for adults who struggle with fine finger skills, reduced vision, or anyone who just likes more space between the lines for coloring.

News outlets, including CNN, have been reporting on the growing popularity. NBC has reported that “The popular preschool pastime that has adults flocking to stores to buy themselves Star Wars coloring books and 12-packs of colored pencils has been proven to give users a sense of focus.

7 Benefits of Coloring for Adults

What you’re really doing is silencing your mind, which leads to better “focus.” Incredibly, coloring books, once the entertainment of preschoolers, can now be found on the bestseller lists and specifically created for adults.

The therapeutic value of coloring books has been recognized by many adults, and many adult coloring books have surfaced over the past few years. Adults, especially the elderly, are enjoying these books for the following reasons:

1. Coloring books improve brain function as they calm the mind. The act of coloring helps adults focus on a single activity. Coloring activates several parts of the brain. Following shapes and choosing different hues allows the user to apply logic and creativity, both left brain and right brain functions.

2. While coloring is not synonymous with therapy, it can help achieve a meditative state of mind. This happens when the focus keeps the person from thinking about the past or worrying about the future.

3. The focus necessary for coloring books exercises brain areas such as the frontal lobe, which is used for problem-solving activities. This is not only relaxing, but certain medical professionals also believe honing one’s ability to focus can delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

4. Improved hand/eye coordinations. Adult coloring books are quite complex in design – by design. The very complexity forces the user to utilize and improve hand-eye coordination and other motor skills.

5. The meditative quality enhanced through coloring books helps to improve sleep. Poor sleep is something which can be particularly problematic for some older people.  

6. Coloring a book can lower a person’s heart rate and lessen anxiety. The more intricate the coloring pattern, the more effective it can be in helping reduce anxiety. Several studies have found that art therapy has decreased mental anxiety in women. Another recent study confirmed that engaging in coloring elaborate designs can help people cope with anxiety and depression. As stated by psychologist Scott M. Bea, “We have a very stress-inducing culture, and I think individuals are always seeking new ways to reduce tension, restore feelings of well-being, and reduce the toll that our stressful lives take on our health.”

7. Positive thinking. Most elderly’s thinking time is filled with worries about health, finances, family problems, etc., which may lead to a dangerous negative mindset. The act of coloring can actually turn some of those negative thoughts into positive ones. This puts people’s health under their control, making them more resilient and able to cope.

Adult coloring has become so popular that groups are forming in certain areas, such as nursing homes and community centers. Any elderly person can join, take advantage of the benefits, and make new friends in the process.

Grandparents can yield even more joy from coloring if they incorporate it with their grandchildren, a spin off playing board games with them. They have their coloring books, you have yours, and you share supplies. Swap coloring books altogether. The kids would love it.

Adult Coloring is like Art Therapy

We know that coloring books provide relaxation. While art cannot cure disease, it can lead to therapeutic healing. One study found that the use of art therapy helped patients deal with cancer by decreasing mental as well as some physical stress. Just one hour of coloring, or art therapy, can provide extreme comfort to those who need and seek it. The act of being creative while feeling helpless to deal with cancer can be a strong healing mechanism.

One of the positive benefits of using adult coloring books as art therapy is that it provides an equal playing field for everyone. Some people are artistic, while others are not. It can be depressing for those who lack any artistic talent. A coloring book, with the requirement to draw within certain lines, provides the benefits of art therapy without judgment about talent and any innate artistic gifts.

Donna Betts, the president of the Board of the American Art Therapy Association, explains, “It’s like the difference between listening to music versus learning how to play an instrument. Listening to music is something easy that everyone can do, but playing an instrument is a whole other skillset.”

Dr. Stan Rodski, a neuropsychologist with his own line of coloring books, has likened coloring to the calming benefits of meditation or knitting. “The most amazing things occurred — we started seeing changes in heart rate, changes in brainwaves.”

Adult Coloring Supplies

The best way for adults to begin coloring is to have the right supplies at hand before getting started, all of which can be obtained at a local arts and crafts shop. Having the right tools will encourage colorists to make an adult coloring book a fun part of their day.

Colored Pencils – these are the most popular tools among adults. They allow the user to blend colors easily and use shading for an enhanced creative look and give greater depth to the picture. Colored pencils come in enough shades and colors to please anyone. For greater detail work, pencils can be sharpened to a fine point. The only drawback to pencils is that the lead can break and that they require sharpening. They are also not the first choice for coloring in large, blank areas.

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Watercolor Pencils – these pencils can be used both dry (no water) and wet. They can help turn a simple coloring page into a delightful piece of art. Using watercolor pencils lets the user blend and produce realistic color effects. They are also less messy than paints. These pencils do require special paper and a wet brush.

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Markers –  markers have thin tips, chisel tips, and brush tips, which can be easily switched around. Markers are a bit costly, but they last a long time. Markers allow the user to color in quicker than when using other tools. They are also easier to use for people who are dealing with issues such as arthritis. They work best on single-page coloring books because they do have a tendency to bleed.

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Gel Pens – these have many beautiful hues, including neon and glitters. Great for the De Vinci wannabe. Gel pens need time to dry, though.

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Watercolor Brushes – some people consider a real brush to be the only tool for a genuine artist. They come with a wide array of colors and a tip for detailing. Watercolor can easily bleed and is best used on one-sided paper.

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In addition to a variety of brushes and pencils, aspiring coloring book artists find that erasers and sharpeners are helpful. To keep all these necessities handy and orderly, use a storage container with drawers and trays.

Now all you all you need are the books themselves.

11 Great Large Coloring Books for Adults

These are coloring books available on Amazon. If you prefer to shop in person and actually touch the product before buying it, visit your area craft stores and book stores. You can sometimes find adult coloring books discounted at the front of chain book stores.

If online shopping is your preference, consider the following.

1- Flowers: An Adult Coloring Book (You Can’t Eat Love Coloring Books)

This is a large-format paperback book meant to relieve stress. This book is quite popular and in the Top 100 rankings. The beautiful flowers are soothing and can keep the user absorbed for a long time.

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2 – Stress Relief Coloring Book For Adults

This coloring book has an abundance of lovely landscape and garden images begging to be colored into a masterpiece. From the Garden of Babylon to a simple citrus garden, it’s all about nature. And the 8 ½ x 11 paperback size is easy on the eyes.

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3 – Adult Coloring Book: 60 Stress Relieving Animals Designs

The intricate patterns of animals in this book will provide hours of creative expression. It makes the perfect gift for Grandma or Grandpa. The varied scenes include not just animals but birds, marine life such as dolphins and sharks, and African wildlife such as elephants and monkeys. It is a great adult coloring book for any skill level.

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4 – Relaxing Flowers: Coloring Book For Adults With Flower Patterns, Bouquets, Wreaths, Swirls, Decorations

This adult coloring book contains 50 flower patterns. All flowers are copies of actual flowers to ensure originality. No attention to detail has been spared. This is an ideal book for any adult who loves anything floral. There are 102 pages to keep the user occupied for some time.

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5 – Stress Relief Dog Coloring Book: 35 Detailed Designs for Adults

This is the definitive adult coloring book for dog lovers. Have fun coloring all your favorite furies. From corgis to Shih Tzus, it’s a total tail-wagging cuddle fest.

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6 – Be Calm And Color: Channel Your Anxiety Into A Soothing, Creative Activity

Be Calm and Color: Channel Your Anxiety is specifically created to ease anxiety and serves as a stress release. The pictures themselves are calming – water, nature, spiritual themes, and more.

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7 – Disney Dreams Collection Thomas Kinkade Studios Coloring Book For Adults

This collection of famed artist Thomas Kinkade’s work is a number one bestseller. The best part of this coloring book is that it includes the actual colored version of Kinkade’s paintings, along with the pictures to be colored. This allows the user to follow the author’s guide and recreate many favorite Disney scenes from Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, and others.

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8 -Fantastic Coloring: A Coloring Book of Amazing Places, Creatures, and Collections

This book is filled with the unique buildings, castles, and landscapes that make up our world. Some are dream destinations, others are scenes from everyday life. Half a million copies of this beautiful book have been sold.

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9 – Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Animal Designs

This book contains 50 different animal designs for stress relief. The pictures are more abstract than users will find in a lot of other books and allow for a large degree of creativity and less worries about using the correct color. The pictures are on single pages, preventing a problem with bleeding through.

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10 – Birds: A Smithsonian Color Book

This coloring book is filled with pictures of exotic birds and their environment. This is a chance not just to color, but to examine what makes each bird and species unique. Each picture is accompanied by information from the Smithsonian about the bird and its life. The user colors and learns at the same time.

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11 – Enchanted: A Coloring Book and a Colorful Journey Into A Whimsical Universe

This book creates a universe to elevate the imagination. There are magical beings and surprises on every page, such as swans in a teacup or squirrels searching for acorns in a river, or a goldfish floating with balloons. It challenges the boundaries of imagination with its blend of reality and fantasy. It is ranked top 100 in books.

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Have you had a positive experience coloring, particularly from the mental benefits of it? Please share in the comments.