Coloring Books for older kids and adults

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 5 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #241 in Arts , #4,312 overall

Adults color?

I once thought I was the only adult who still had a big box of crayons and a pile of coloring books stashed in the bedroom. My excuse is that I am an artist and I always loved to color. Sometimes after a long day of webcoding, writing, and doing "serious" artwork I want something to unwind with that is fun but doesn't put much of a demand on my intellect. I am not much of a TV person, and some days my brain is just too tired even to read. Out come the crayons!

Then I stumbled onto a conversation at another social website, Gather.com. Several adults had admitted to enjoying sitting down and coloring. I got drawn in (bad pun - sorry) because I had posted a coloring page I drew for my website Color-Your-Own.com. It was great to chat with other adults who shared the same "secret hobby".

Just one little problem 

There was just one little problem that everyone complained about - how difficult it is to find coloring pages that interest adults, or even older children. Most coloring books seem to be created with children under the age of ten in mind with very broad and cartoon like drawings. Adults, and even older kids, prefer more realistic line drawings to color.

Since Color-Your-Own.com was originally set up for older kids and adults who played certain sim games online (You can read more about that at my lens Line Art on the Internet) the pages really appealed to the older audience.

But what if you don't find something there you like (well, I take requests), or you don't have a printer or just ran out of paper or...what if what you really want is a coloring book or two to have handy.

I feel your pain. Now and then I run onto a coloring book at the store that isn't too bad. It helps that I like cars, and for some reason it is okay to draw more realistic cars (for boys, I suppose) in coloring books.

But now I live in a very small town, and the selection is not very good at all. So I decided I will just have to buy my coloring books online. And as long as I am looking for me, I may as well share them with you, too! So, here's the best coloring books for adults and older kids that I've been able to find for sale online.

Here are a few of my favorites 

are they yours?

You can vote these coloring books up or down, depending on how much you like them! You can really tell I like patterns (so nicely mindless and zen like to work on), history, nature and animals, and fantasy! What do you like?

Mexican Folk Art Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

Mexican Folk Art Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

Striking adaptations of authentic native art depic more...1 point

A Walk in the Woods Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Dot Barlowe

A Walk in the Woods Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Dot Barlowe

Accomplished illustrator and nature writer takes y more...1 point

Garden Fairies Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Darcy May

Garden Fairies Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Darcy May

Visit a magical realm where 16 winged sprites, clo more...1 point

Mystical Mandala Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Alberta Hutchinson

Mystical Mandala Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Alberta Hutchinson

This vibrant collection of drawings was inspired b more...0 points

Decorative Tile Designs Coloring Book by Marty Noble

Decorative Tile Designs Coloring Book by Marty Noble

The decorative richness and structure of tiles mak more...0 points

Paisley Designs Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

Paisley Designs Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

Woven from sumptuous motifs inspired by the elemen more...0 points

The Marine Biology Coloring Book, Second Edition by Thomas M. Niesen

The Marine Biology Coloring Book, Second Edition by Thomas M. Niesen

Enter the delicate, complex world of underwater li more...0 points

The Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book (Flower Fairies) by Cicely Mary Barker

The Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book (Flower Fairies) by Cicely Mary Barker

From A for Apple Blossom to Z for Zinnia there is more...0 points

Butterflies Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Jan Sovak

Butterflies Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Jan Sovak

43 finely detailed, accurately rendered illustrati more...0 points

Kaleidoscopic Design Coloring Book (Coloring Books) by Lester Kubistal

Kaleidoscopic Design Coloring Book (Coloring Books) by Lester Kubistal

Charming coloring book includes 30 black-and-white more...0 points

Horse Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas by Robert A. Kainer

Horse Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas by Robert A. Kainer

A valuable resource for: anyone interested in hors more...0 points

Medieval Tapestries Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

Medieval Tapestries Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

This collection of lovely images invites coloring more...0 points

Chinese Designs (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Dianne Gaspas

Chinese Designs (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Dianne Gaspas

Thirty traditional designs grace the pages of this more...0 points

Richard Doyle's Fairyland Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Richard Doyle

Richard Doyle's Fairyland Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Richard Doyle

Victorian artist Richard Doyle (1824-1883) is famo more...0 points

Art Masterpieces to Color: 60 Great Paintings from Botticelli to Picasso (Dover Colouring Books) by Dover

Art Masterpieces to Color: 60 Great Paintings from Botticelli to Picasso (Dover Colouring Books) by Dover

Artists of all ages are invited to add their own h more...0 points

Dragons Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Christy Shaffer

Dragons Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Christy Shaffer

Thirty ready-to-color images of fire-breathing myt more...0 points

Traditional Designs from India (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

Traditional Designs from India (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble

Intricate and inventive, these 30 full-page design more...0 points

Dog Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas by Robert A. Kainer, Thomas O. McCracken

Dog Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas by Robert A. Kainer, Thomas O. McCracken

Simple, easy-to-use presentation of core regional more...0 points

Coloring Mandalas 3: Circles of the Sacred Feminine (Coloring Mandalas) by Susanne F. Fincher

Coloring Mandalas 3: Circles of the Sacred Feminine (Coloring Mandalas) by Susanne F. Fincher

Coloring the circular designs known as mandalas is more...0 points

Botany Coloring Book (HarperCollins Coloring Books (Not Childrens)) by Paul Young

Botany Coloring Book (HarperCollins Coloring Books (Not Childrens)) by Paul Young

An exciting new approach to learning about botany. more...0 points

Garden Flowers Coloring Book (Color Your World) by Stefen Bernath

Garden Flowers Coloring Book (Color Your World) by Stefen Bernath

Forty important garden flowers - morning-glory, tu more...0 points

Knights and Armor Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by A. G. Smith

Knights and Armor Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by A. G. Smith

Historically accurate renderings of Vikings, Crusa more...0 points

Wild Animals Coloring Book by John Green

Wild Animals Coloring Book by John Green

Detailed and ready-to-color drawings of 47 species more...0 points

A Coloring Book of the Middle Ages

A Coloring Book of the Middle Ages

A picture history thorugh the Renaissance, includi more...0 points

A Coloring Book of Incas, Aztecs and Mayas by Bellerophon Books

A Coloring Book of Incas, Aztecs and Mayas by Bellerophon Books

The Pre-Columbian civilizations had some masterly more...0 points

Life in Ancient Egypt Coloring Book by John Green, Stanley Appelbaum

Life in Ancient Egypt Coloring Book by John Green, Stanley Appelbaum

Forty-four detailed drawings recall the glory of a more...0 points

Life in a Medieval Castle and Village Coloring Book by John Green

Life in a Medieval Castle and Village Coloring Book by John Green

A panorama of life in the Middle Ages in 42 realis more...0 points

Gargoyles and Medieval Monsters Coloring Book by A. G. Smith

Gargoyles and Medieval Monsters Coloring Book by A. G. Smith

Dozens of mythical animals rendered by artists suc more...0 points

Fifty Favorite Birds Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Lisa Bonforte

Fifty Favorite Birds Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Lisa Bonforte

Learn to identify birds like the Myrtle Warbler an more...0 points

Life in Ancient Greece Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by John Green, Text by Stanley Appelbaum

Life in Ancient Greece Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by John Green, Text by Stanley Appelbaum

Over 40 expertly rendered illustrations depict lif more...0 points

START EXPLORING(tm) Masterpieces - A Fact-Filled Coloring Book by Steven Zorn, Mary Martin, Illustrated by Mary Martin Steven Zorn

START EXPLORING(tm) Masterpieces - A Fact-Filled Coloring Book by Steven Zorn, Mary Martin, Illustrated by Mary Martin Steven Zorn

An artistic adventure awaits you! Masterpieces lea more...0 points

Audubon's Birds of America Coloring Book by John James Audubon

Audubon's Birds of America Coloring Book by John James Audubon

Forty-five of Audubon's noted illustrations render more...0 points

The Titanic Coloring Book by Peter F. Copeland

The Titanic Coloring Book by Peter F. Copeland

Impressive illustrations dramatically portray even more...0 points

Wonders of the World Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by A. G. Smith

Wonders of the World Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by A. G. Smith

Detailed, ready-to-color images of India's lovely more...0 points

Greek Gods and Goddesses (Dover Coloring Book) by John Green

Greek Gods and Goddesses (Dover Coloring Book) by John Green

Ready-to-color illustrations, each accompanied by more...0 points

Insects Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Jan Sovak

Insects Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Jan Sovak

Color precise, carefully researched depictions of more...0 points

Color Your Own Impressionist Paintings (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Marty Noble

Color Your Own Impressionist Paintings (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Marty Noble

Use colors of your choice, or recreate the origina more...0 points

Lewis and Clark Expedition Coloring Book by Peter F. Copeland

Lewis and Clark Expedition Coloring Book by Peter F. Copeland

Forty-five accurate, precisely rendered illustrati more...0 points

Celtic Design Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Ed Sibbett

Celtic Design Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Ed Sibbett

Children and adults alike will enjoy adding their more...0 points

Snakes of the World Coloring Book by Jan Sovak

Snakes of the World Coloring Book by Jan Sovak

Over 40 species. Add your colors to the king cobra more...0 points

African Designs Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Marty Noble

African Designs Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Marty Noble

Thirty large, ready-to-color illustrations, all ad more...0 points

Great Barrier Reef Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Ruth Soffer

Great Barrier Reef Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Ruth Soffer

With a variety of life rivaled only by a tropical more...0 points

Erte Fashions Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Erte

Erte Fashions Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Erte

The Russian-born designer Erté was a major influe more...0 points

Backyard Nature Coloring Book by Dot Barlowe

Backyard Nature Coloring Book by Dot Barlowe

Wild animals in our midst come to life in this uni more...0 points

Garden Fairy Alphabet Coloring Book by Darcy May

Garden Fairy Alphabet Coloring Book by Darcy May

Exquisite renderings of ready-to-color floral favo more...0 points

Castles of the World Coloring Book by A. G. Smith

Castles of the World Coloring Book by A. G. Smith

Detailed drawings of 31 world-famous castles: Wind more...0 points

Color Your Own Van Gogh Paintings (Coloring Books) by Vincent Van Gogh

Color Your Own Van Gogh Paintings (Coloring Books) by Vincent Van Gogh

Thirty meticulously rendered black-and-white drawi more...0 points

Arabic Patterns Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archive) by A. G. Smith

Arabic Patterns Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archive) by A. G. Smith

Sixteen elaborate geometric designs incorporate a more...0 points

Western Pioneers Coloring Book by Peter F. Copeland

Western Pioneers Coloring Book by Peter F. Copeland

For lovers of western lore and coloring book fans more...0 points

State Birds and Flowers Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) by Annika Bernhard

State Birds and Flowers Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) by Annika Bernhard

Fifty-one accurately detailed, royalty-free render more...0 points

More coloring pages and coloring books! 

I am not alone! Here are more lenses with coloring books and coloring pages to chose from!

Mandala Coloring Books 

There are so many mandala coloring books that I decided to give them their own section. What could be more restful than coloring a mandala?

Coloring Mandalas 1

Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Everyone's Mandala Coloring Book (v. 1)

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

World Mandalas: 100 New Designs for Coloring and Meditation

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Peace Mandala Coloring Book

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

What do you like to color most? 

Flowers

1 point

Cars, Trucks, Airplanes

0 points

Animals and Nature

0 points

Art - like old Masters paintings

0 points

Patterns and Mandalas

0 points

Castles, fantastic architecture

0 points

Fantasy - fairies and dragons

0 points

Fashion

0 points

People - historical, fantasy, sports

0 points

Coloring Pages Blog 

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Speak up! 

Thanks for reading my lens on coloring books for adults. What about you - do you like to color, have a favorite that isn't listed here, or just want to share a thought?

foovay wrote...

in reply to WhiteOak50 Okay, you have me by maybe a year or two ;) See you at Seeds of Time!

ReplyPosted April 06, 2009

WhiteOak50 wrote...

This is just an awesome idea! I will gladly admit, I LOVE to color. Of course, I have been coloring for ummmm, lets see.....48 years (laughs) oh, my!! My grandmother would sit me up on books in a chair, and I would sit there for hours coloring when I was three years old! Love this lens, love your pixie blog, and I do hope to see you at Seeds of Time!!

ReplyPosted April 05, 2009

SquidooKimberly wrote...

Love these! Found you through your blog. Keep up the great work.

ReplyPosted March 31, 2009

SquidooKimberly wrote...

Love these! Found you through your blog. Keep up the great work.

ReplyPosted March 31, 2009

SquidooKimberly wrote...

Love these! Found you through your blog. Keep up the great work.

ReplyPosted March 31, 2009

 
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