Mindfulness Colouring Books for Children and Teens

Mindfulness colouring and creative activity books for children and teens

From a first encounter with water painting to intricate illustrations, imaginative drawing and expressive journals, mindfulness colouring books for children and teens offer plenty of ways to enjoy making art. These recommendations include magical painting, mandalas, manga-inspired designs, nature sketches and activities that help children put their thoughts and feelings onto paper. There are books for younger children discovering colours, older pupils developing their creativity, and teenagers looking for more absorbing projects. This list features books by Johanna Basford, Millie Marotta, Marion Deuchars, Lize Meddings, Emma Farrarons, Tanja Sharpe, Abigail Wheatley, Caren Sacks, Holly Macdonald, and Alice James.

Mindfulness, colouring and creative activity books – our recommendations

Mindfulness and colouring in books for 3-7 year olds

First Magic Painting by Abigail Wheatley, illustrated by Emily Ritson

A unicorn, a rocket and a rainbow are among the pictures waiting to be discovered in this water-painting book for 3+ year olds. Using the accompanying brush, children sweep water across the black-and-white designs to reveal their colours. The waterproof flap slips beneath each page to protect the pictures underneath. With sixteen scenes to paint, this is a lovely introduction to making pictures through simple, repeated movements. It also gives little hands an opportunity to practise controlling a paintbrush.

Disney: So This is Love Colouring Book

More than 80 colouring pages bring together characters from across Disney and Pixar films, with scenes centred on different kinds of relationships. Family bonds, friendships, kindness and romantic moments all feature, with familiar faces such as Cinderella, Simba and Moana. The emphasis is on relaxed, creative colouring rather than puzzles or tasks, making it an easy, mindfulness-friendly activity for Disney fans of any age.

Unicorns Colouring Book by Kirsteen Robson, illustrated by Ruth Russell

Unicorns gallop across snowy fields, fly among rainbows and enjoy a swim in a shady pool in this cheerful colouring book. Kirsteen Robson’s collection gives children a variety of magical scenes to complete, with Ruth Russell’s illustrations providing plenty of opportunities to choose colours and notice details. The paperback format makes it easy to take along on journeys or bring out during a quiet afternoon. For 3+ year olds who enjoy imaginary creatures, it is an inviting starting point for colouring with pencils or crayons.

Worry Monsters by Summersdale Publishers

The friendly monsters in this illustrated activity book help children think about worries, feelings and ways of finding calm. Activities include inventing a brave battle cry, drawing a worry animal and discovering what makes each person special. Designed for 4-7 year olds, it combines creative exercises with ideas drawn from mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy. Short explanations help adults talk through the activities with children. The monster characters give the subject a playful feel and make difficult emotions easier to represent through pictures and words.

Angry Monsters by Summersdale Publishers

Anger becomes something children can recognise, investigate and express through activities in this colourful companion to Worry Monsters. Friendly monster characters introduce practical exercises that encourage children to pause, notice their feelings and try creative ways of responding. Intended for 4-7 year olds, the book mixes drawing and other activities with child-friendly approaches to emotional wellbeing. Parents and teachers can use the pages as starting points for conversations about frustration, self-awareness and the different things that help us feel calmer.

Unhurry Magic Painting by Eddie Reynolds, illustrated by Emily Ritson

Sixteen pictures gradually come to life as children brush water over the printed lines in this gentle creative activity book. Unhurry Magic Painting includes mindful painting tips to introduce the idea of slowing down and paying attention to the process. The designs reveal their colours as the water reaches them, giving each page a satisfying moment of discovery. With its straightforward painting technique and reassuring approach, this book for 5+ year olds works particularly well for a peaceful art session at home or school.

Howl by Kat Patrick and Evie Barrow

Maggie is having a terrible day. The sun looks wrong, her spaghetti is too long and even her pyjamas aren’t right. When she finds herself unable to sleep, her growing frustration takes an extraordinary turn as she begins to feel distinctly wolfish. Fortunately, her mother understands, and together they discover the pleasure of prowling, howling and letting their feelings out. Kat Patrick’s imaginative picture book for 3+ year olds explores anger, self-expression and the reassurance of family relationships. Evie Barrow’s wonderfully expressive coloured-pencil illustrations make this an excellent choice for sharing with EYFS and KS1 children and inspiring artwork about emotions.

Lunar New Year Magic Painting Book by Amy Chiu, illustrated by Bonnie Pang

Colourful celebrations from around the world are the inspiration for this magical painting book. Children reveal scenes featuring dragon dancers, festive food, kite flying in South Korea and a decorated temple in Malaysia simply by brushing water across the pages. Bonnie Pang’s illustrations give 5+ year olds plenty to discover as each picture develops. The water-painting activity encourages a steady pace, while the subject introduces different Lunar New Year traditions through scenes of celebration, shared food and decorated places.

Disney Easter Colouring Book by Walt Disney

Featuring more than 80 illustrations to colour, this Disney and Pixar colouring book celebrates love in all its forms, from family bonds and friendships to kindness and romance. Familiar characters including Cinderella, Simba and Moana appear in scenes inspired by much-loved animated films. With plenty of opportunities to experiment with colour and enjoy favourite characters, this cheerful activity book is ideal for 3-7 year olds who enjoy creative, relaxing activities at home or school.

Mandalas to Draw and Colour by Abigail Wheatley, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

Circular patterns, decorative shapes and detailed designs fill this drawing and colouring book for 6+ year olds. Children can complete existing mandalas using pencils or pens, then create and colour some designs of their own. Dinara Mirtalipova’s artwork brings together traditional and modern approaches to these repeating patterns. The activities encourage children to concentrate on line, colour and symmetry while enjoying the freedom to make individual choices. It’s an appealing way to combine quiet colouring with a little independent illustration.

The Grand Hotel of Feelings Workbook by Lidia Brankovic

This highly engaging and well-thought out activity book asks children to picture their emotions as guests in a hotel, then explore them through drawing, writing and colouring. Quizzes, gratitude lists and an emotional survival suitcase add variety, making it easy to reflect on both joyful and tricky feelings. It encourages self-awareness, sparks discussion, and builds on Brankovic’s 2023 memorable picture book The Grand Hotel of Feelings. It’s the perfect, practical, hands-on companion for supporting KS1 and LKS2 children’s emotional wellbeing both at home and in PSHE classes. Highly recommended.

Mindfulness and colouring in books for children aged 7-12

Mindful Colouring for Kids by Josephine Southon and Sarah Wade, illustrated by Jane Ryder Gray

Sloths, snow monkeys, beach scenes and cosy jungle hideaways feature among more than thirty illustrations in this mindful colouring collection. Short passages between the pictures encourage children to notice their surroundings, concentrate on their senses and take a moment to breathe. Created for 9-11 year olds, the book combines familiar animals and imaginary settings with a gentle introduction to mindfulness. Pupils can choose a favourite scene, colour at their own pace and return to the exercises when they want a quiet creative activity.

Mindful Colouring by Numbers for Kids by Sarah Wade

Colouring by numbers gives the pictures in this book an added element of discovery. More than forty illustrations include peaceful pandas and seascapes, with areas to complete using the numbered colour guides. Between the pictures are short suggestions for breathing, noticing the senses and finding a quiet moment. The combination of gentle prompts and structured colouring gives 9-11 year olds a clear activity to focus on. Children who enjoy gradually seeing an image emerge will find plenty to occupy their pencils here.

Unhurry Book by Alice James, Lara Bryan and Eddie Reynolds, illustrated by Freya Harrison

A collection of activities designed to help children enjoy doing things at a slower pace. The pages invite them to write, draw and try creative exercises that encourage observation, reflection and imagination. There is space to respond directly in the book, allowing each child to make it their own. With its friendly illustrations and varied activities, Unhurry Book gives 8+ year olds an enjoyable way to spend time concentrating on something creative. It can be used a little at a time or revisited whenever a quiet activity is welcome.

The ME Book by Marion Deuchars

Marion Deuchars puts children at the centre of their own creative project in this lively book of personal art activities. Pages invite them to record their favourite foods and clothes, draw portraits of friends and family, and answer unusual questions about themselves. They might even imagine what flavour of ice cream they would be. Through drawing, writing and playful prompts, 6+ year olds build a colourful record of their interests and ideas. The finished pages become a highly individual book about the person who made them.

Drawn By Nature: Colours by Emily Rand

Nature supplies the inspiration for this illustrated drawing and colouring book. Emily Rand encourages children to look closely at the colours, shapes and patterns found in the natural world, then respond through their own artwork. Birds and other colourful creatures offer interesting starting points for observation and experimentation. The activities for 8+ year olds bring together an interest in wildlife and an enjoyment of making pictures. Teachers could use the book alongside nature study or as inspiration for pupils developing sketchbooks of their own.

Doodle Yourself Happy by Tanja Sharpe

Fifty doodling activities encourage children to think about their feelings and discover creative ways of expressing themselves. Developed by counsellor Tanja Sharpe, the workbook uses ideas associated with mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy and positive psychology. The exercises invite children to put thoughts onto paper, build confidence and notice things that bring them enjoyment. Ideal for 8+ year olds, it can be completed independently or used with support from a parent, teacher or other adult. Drawing becomes a practical starting point for emotional reflection.

Wind-Down Activities by Alice James, Lara Bryan and Darran Stobbart, illustrated by Manu Montoya and Ada Crowe

A gentle owl guides children through activities intended for quieter moments. There are opportunities to doodle, write stories, stretch and discover ideas for settling down at night. Links to music add another way to enjoy a calming activity. The write-in format invites children to take part immediately, and its mixture of drawing and writing means there are different ways to respond.

Mindfulness and colouring in books for teens aged 13+

The Sad Ghost Club Colouring Book by Lize Meddings

The distinctive ghost characters from Lize Meddings’ Sad Ghost Club appear throughout this colouring book, alongside encouraging messages and space for creative expression. Its hand-drawn artwork brings the familiar visual world of the graphic novels into an activity format that teenagers can make their own. The combination of illustrated characters, thoughtful words and colouring pages gives 12+ year olds a way to engage with themes of friendship, feelings and self-acceptance. Fans of the Sad Ghost Club books will recognise the gentle humour and expressive artwork.

Sogumi the Fennec Fox: Cute Magical-Adventure Colouring by Sogumi

A tiny fennec fox and cactus companion Soso travel through dreamlike scenes, from relaxing beneath the sea to riding a scooter through a doughnut-filled sky. Perfect for colourists aged 12+, this fabulously imaginative activity book pairs 64 full-colour reference pages with 64 black-and-white line illustrations to complete, offering a calming pastime for fans of cute Korean artwork and immersive imaginative settings. Highly recommended.

Sogumi the Fennec Fox: Cute Four-Seasons Colouring by Sogumi

Resting beneath spring cherry-blossom trees, summer music beneath the stars, autumn dancing under the Chuseok moon and cosy winter blankets give enthusiastic 12+ year olds colourists a whole year with Sogumi and Soso. Sixty-four full-colour reference pages sit alongside 64 line drawings, inviting readers to slow down, be mindful and bring each seasonal scene to life. It’s an exquisite activity book for teens.

Vision and Voice: An Art-Making Journal for Teens by Caren Sacks

Teenagers are invited to express themselves through sixty-eight prompts developed by art therapist Caren Sacks. Four sections cover playfulness, personal identity, feelings and understanding yourself. Activities involve drawing and other forms of art-making, with opportunities to consider gratitude, mindfulness and relationships. The journal gives 12+ year olds space to develop individual responses and explore ideas through visual creativity. Its open-ended approach makes it particularly interesting for teenagers who enjoy sketchbooks, reflective writing and experimenting with different ways to communicate their thoughts.

Lovelies by Tessa Aaij and Studio Kikor

Magical mermaid-like characters, playful puppies, kittens and unicorns inhabit the cosy world of this colouring book. Part of the My Little Cosy Life collection, Lovelies is filled with friendly illustrations and charming little scenes to personalise. The bold, inviting artwork gives teenagers the chance to work with their favourite colour combinations. A fold-out protective panel helps when using pens or markers. Designed for teens and adults, it is a cheerful choice for those who enjoy cute character illustration and spending time completing pictures at their own pace.

Cozy K-Pop by Jade Summer

The world of K-pop provides the inspiration for forty cheerful colouring designs in this book by Jade Summer. Its scenes draw on the music, fashion and imagery associated with K-pop, presented in a cute illustrative style. The pictures feature bold outlines and spaces for experimenting with colour, and they are printed on single-sided pages. Ideal for teens and adults, this collection will appeal to fans who enjoy the visual culture surrounding their favourite music as much as the songs themselves.

The Modern Manga Coloring Book: Pop Manga and Anime-Inspired Coloring Book for Teens and Adults by Lidia Cambón

Manga-inspired characters take centre stage in this collection of forty illustrations. Lidia Cambón’s designs draw on the expressive faces, costumes and imaginative styling associated with manga and anime artwork. The paperback includes thick paper and perforated pages, allowing completed pictures to be removed and displayed. Colouring enthusiasts can experiment with different palettes and materials while developing their own interpretation of each character. Designed for teenagers and adults, the book is particularly appealing to anyone who enjoys manga character design and decorative illustration.

Foodies by Caro Van Den Berg

Adorable food and drink characters fill this cosy colouring book, from sweet treats and doughnuts to brightly coloured frozen desserts. Caro Van Den Berg gives familiar snacks a playful personality through the cute, rounded illustration style of the My Little Cosy Life collection. The pages are designed for an enjoyable, unhurried colouring session, and a fold-out panel helps protect the next picture when using pens. Made for teens and adults, Foodies offers a light-hearted creative project for anyone who loves kawaii-inspired designs.

Mindfulness and colouring in books for sixth formers aged 16+

Magical Worlds by Johanna Basford

Johanna Basford transports colouring enthusiasts into a collection of imagined places filled with decorative detail. Enchanted cottages, underwater settings and fantastical landscapes provide opportunities to choose colours, build atmosphere and discover the smaller elements hidden within each illustration. Her intricate line drawings reward attention and encourage readers to spend time on a single picture. For sixth formers who enjoy fantasy artwork, this adult crossover colouring book combines imaginative settings with the pleasure of completing an elaborate scene in a personal style.

How to Draw Inky Wonderlands by Johanna Basford

A drawing companion from the illustrator behind Secret Garden and other intricate colouring books, this volume shows readers how to create their own decorative artwork. Johanna Basford introduces ways to draw plants, animals and other imaginative details using step-by-step guidance. The exercises offer a route from following illustrated instructions to inventing original compositions. Artists who enjoy line drawing, pen-and-ink illustration or decorative patterns can use the techniques to develop their sketchbooks and gradually build more elaborate pictures.

The Mindfulness Colouring Book: Anti-stress Art Therapy for Busy People by Emma Farrarons

Compact enough to carry in a bag, Emma Farrarons’ colouring book is filled with decorative illustrations and intricate patterns. Its designs invite the reader to concentrate on the movement of the pencil and the selection of colours, creating a small creative project that can be completed in spare moments. The pocket-sized format is particularly convenient for travelling or taking a break from study. Older teenagers interested in detailed pattern work and mindful art activities will find an assortment of designs to work through at their own pace.

The Mindful Year Coloring Book by Holly Macdonald

The changing seasons provide the framework for this mindful colouring collection. Holly Macdonald draws on natural subjects and the rhythms of the year to create illustrations that can be enjoyed individually or as part of a longer creative project. The seasonal organisation invites readers to return to the book throughout the year, noticing different colours and natural details as the months change. This adult crossover title suits sixth formers who enjoy botanical and nature-inspired artwork, especially those looking for a creative activity to enjoy alongside their studies.

Art Therapy: A Mindfulness Colouring Book by Hannah Davies, Richard Merritt and Jo Taylor

Detailed patterns, flowing lines and decorative illustrations invite readers to colour, doodle and experiment on the page. Hannah Davies, Richard Merritt and Jo Taylor bring together a range of visual styles in this creative activity book. The designs provide a starting point for personal interpretation, and the drawing elements encourage readers to contribute some of their own marks and ideas. For sixth formers interested in art and wellbeing, this adult crossover collection offers opportunities to concentrate on patterns, investigate colour combinations and enjoy making something individual.

Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom: a colouring book adventure by Millie Marotta

Wildlife and botanical illustration come together in Millie Marotta’s richly detailed colouring book. Animals and birds emerge from elaborate arrangements of leaves, flowers and decorative patterns. Readers can complete the existing line drawings, experiment with their own colour combinations and add extra details to selected scenes. The striking illustrations encourage close attention to texture and shape, from the lines of feathers to the patterns within larger animals. This book is particularly appealing to artists who love nature, illustration and detailed pen work.

Mindful Coloring: Calming the Mind Through Art by Diana Elisabeth Dube

Diana Elisabeth Dube combines representational artwork and abstract patterns in this colouring collection, which features illustrations inspired by nature alongside imaginative decorative designs. Scenes involving sunsets and gentle rain sit beside patterns that encourage experimentation with colour and line. The book also includes an introduction by Daniel J. Siegel about colouring and mindful awareness. For older teenagers interested in reflective art activities, the varied pictures provide opportunities for creative concentration and individual expression. The paperback format makes it a substantial collection to dip into over time.

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Mindfulness and colouring in resources for teachers

• The Mindfulness in Schools Project provides free mindfulness practices, printable posters, animations and sample lessons for teachers. Its programmes cover children aged 3-6, 7-11 and 11-18, with activities designed to introduce mindful attention, relaxation and awareness of thoughts and feelings in school.
• Mentally Healthy Schools, developed by Anna Freud, offers a free two-week mindfulness calendar with ten five-minute classroom activities. Exercises include colour breathing, gratitude, mindful listening, counting breaths and sensory awareness, with instructions suitable for individual pupils, small groups and whole classes.
• The Mental Health Foundation explains mindfulness and suggests practical exercises involving breathing, colouring, drawing and body awareness. Its advice offers useful background reading for teachers introducing mindful activities, including ways to encourage pupils to notice colours, shapes, textures and movements while drawing.
• Place2Be’s Art Room offers a free My Colour Palette activity pack for children aged 6-11, exploring how colours can represent different emotions and experiences. Created to develop emotional literacy and self-awareness, the downloadable activities are accompanied by instructional videos featuring CBBC’s Art Ninja, Ricky Martin.
• Forward Thinking Birmingham NHS provides a substantial collection of free downloadable wellbeing activities for children aged 11 and under. Resources include mindful colouring sheets, five-minute breathing exercises, sensory exploration, emotion check-ins, relaxation activities and worksheets to help children recognise and express their feelings.
• The South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has produced a downloadable self-care resource for secondary-aged pupils. The booklet includes mindfulness colouring alongside activities and prompts designed to help young people think about their wellbeing, making it suitable for pastoral support and independent reflection.
• Teaching Ideas provides 20 free printable mandala colouring designs at different levels of complexity for children aged 5-11. Teachers can use these in art and PSHE lessons, quiet classroom sessions or mathematics activities exploring geometric patterns, reflection and rotational symmetry. The website also features free animal, flower, number and pattern colouring sheets.
• The Natural History Museum has a collection of free printable colouring sheets featuring dinosaurs, insects and other natural history subjects. The illustrations can be used for quiet creative sessions, independent colouring and observational art, while also providing opportunities to connect mindful attention with science, nature and the natural world.
• Be Happy Resources features free printable activities for primary school wellbeing, including mindful colouring sheets, emotional awareness exercises and calming activity mats. Its Unwind the Mind resources combine doodling, breathing, sensory grounding and reflection, making them useful for nurture groups, PSHE lessons and classroom calm corners.
• Cosmic Kids offers Peace Out, a collection of guided relaxation and mindfulness videos for children aged five and over. Available through YouTube, the imaginative sessions introduce breathing, visualisation and body awareness through stories about balloons, animals and imaginary journeys. They can be used before or after colouring activities or during classroom relaxation breaks.
• The Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS Talking Therapies service shares free mindfulness colouring sheets donated by artist Rosie Philpott, together with creative wellbeing resources involving drawing, painting, collage and other art activities. The downloadable sheets offer additional options for older pupils, staff wellbeing sessions and independent creative activities.
• Place2Be and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have developed Tuning In, a free creative mindfulness project combining music, listening and art. Three activities encourage pupils to notice sounds, explore their emotional responses and express what they hear through drawing. The downloadable pack includes video guidance and suggestions for classroom use.

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