These free, printable colouring pages are perfect for kids during the holidays. And not just because kids love colouring! You can use these cute little elves, reindeer and Santas to distract the kids while you:
Finish shopping online for gifts. They’ll be too busy colouring to see that you just snagged the #1 item on their wish list.
Wrap presents in a room nearby. Why stay up late wrapping on Christmas Eve when you could wrap during the day?
Clean in preparation for company. The house will stay clean for longer than five minutes!
Bake holiday treats. Kids in the kitchen is fun, but some recipes are tricky (and sticky) and better left to adults.
Write out holiday cards. They can sign their names—in crayon, so cute!—as each card is ready.
That said, Christmas colouring pages can serve as more than just a distraction. They can also be a fun family activity that helps bring everyone together. For instance, you could:
- Make it an Advent activity. Pick a day on the Advent calendar where colouring together is the surprise.
- Use it as a storytelling opportunity. A nativity colouring page could provide the chance for the family to relive the miracle of the season.
- Use it as a way to connect to your culture. A Hanukkah or Kwanzaa colouring page could open the way for you to talk about your family’s cultural heritage.
You don’t have to be a kid to sit down and colour though. Lots of adults love to colour—it’s relaxing, pretty and fun. Use these free printable colouring pages to:
- Calm the holiday chaos. Sometimes we get carried away by the excitement of it all. Taking a quiet moment for yourself helps you refuel for more festivities.
- Have a get-together with friends. If you haven’t had a colouring party, there’s no better time than the holidays to try it. Think of the snacks! You can find inspiration below.
Host a Holiday Colouring Party
Does colouring with your adult friends sound like the most amazing, relaxing thing ever? We thought so. Here are some ideas for how to make it happen.
- Have a selection of colouring pages available (see below). You can also provide colouring books with a variety of themes or encourage friends to bring their own.
- Provide lots of colouring options. From crayons to coloured pencils to markers, you can find a ton of colouring implements here.
- Make a fun cocktail for the evening. Something bright and colourful like a tequila sunrise or a blue lagoon would fit right in.
- Serve finger foods that let guests snack and shade at the same time. Anything on toothpicks will keep things from getting messy.
- Optional (but oh-so-comfy): Encourage everyone to wear their favourite pajamas.