National Coloring Day

Introduction

Remember when you were a kid and a box of crayons felt like magic? You would sit on the floor for hours, lost in your own little world of bright lines and blank pages. National Coloring Day gives you a chance to enjoy that simple creativity again.

Key takeaways

• National Coloring Day is celebrated every year on September 14.
• Coloring has a long history, with early commercial coloring books appearing in the 19th century and crayons later making the activity more accessible.
• Adult coloring became especially popular in the 2010s, with detailed books like Secret Garden helping drive the trend.
• Coloring can be a social activity, so you can invite your friends, family, coworkers, or community members to join you

What is National Coloring Day?

National Coloring Day is a day dedicated to celebrating coloring as a fun, creative activity for people of all ages. You can use it to step away from screens, relax, and express yourself with crayons, colored pencils, markers, or paints.

What started as a simple classroom activity has grown into a popular way to relax, focus, and express yourself. Today, you’ll find coloring activities in schools, libraries, workplaces, and homes. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, you can use a few quiet minutes of coloring to slow down and enjoy a creative break.

When is National Coloring Day Celebrated?

National Coloring Day is celebrated every year on September 14 in the United States, bringing schools, libraries, senior centers, and community groups together for creative fun.

Future National Coloring Day Dates

Year	Day	Date
2026	Monday	September 14
2027	Tuesday	September 14
2028	Thursday	September 14
2029	Friday	September 14
2030	Saturday	September 14
2031	Sunday	September 14

A Brief History of Coloring

Coloring has roots in Europe and the United States, where illustrated books and art education became increasingly accessible during the 19th century. One early example is The Little Folks’ Painting Book, published in 1879. It featured outline engravings designed to be painted with watercolors and is often credited as one of the earliest coloring books.

Crayons later made coloring easier and more accessible. In 1903, Binney & Smith introduced the first eight-pack of Crayola crayons, selling it for five cents. The original box contained red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black.

Adult coloring has existed in different forms for decades, but it surged in popularity in the 2010s. Johanna Basford’s Secret Garden, published in 2013, became a major bestseller and helped fuel the modern adult coloring trend. Today, National Coloring Day has become a way for people of all ages to slow down and enjoy a simple creative activity.

How to Celebrate National Coloring Day

You don’t need to be an experienced artist to enjoy National Coloring Day on September 14. Whether you want a relaxing activity, a creative get-together, or a way to give back, these national coloring day ideas make it easy to celebrate National Coloring Day 2026.

Take a look:

• Host a Coloring Party

Invite your friends, family, or coworkers to sit down and color together. Set out coloring pages, colored pencils, fine-tip markers, and gel pens so everyone can choose what they enjoy. If you’re using markers, choose thicker paper to prevent ink from bleeding through.

• Take a Digital Detox

Give yourself 60 to 90 minutes away from your phone, computer, and other screens. Put your devices aside, grab your favorite coloring book, and settle into a quiet space. You can listen to relaxing music or simply enjoy some uninterrupted creative time.

• Help Out in Your Community

You can spread the fun beyond your own home by donating new coloring books, non-toxic crayons, or colored pencils. Consider reaching out to a local children’s hospital, senior care community, school, or library to see what supplies they need before you donate.

• Try a Digital Coloring App

If you prefer coloring on your phone or tablet, you can use apps such as Colorfy or Happy Color. You can experiment with different colors, shading techniques, and designs without carrying a full set of art supplies with you.

• Share Your Art Globally

When you finish your masterpiece, take a photo and share it on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok using #NationalColoringDay. You might inspire someone else to grab their coloring supplies and discover how enjoyable a little creative time can be.

Best Coloring Books for Adults

When it comes to selecting a coloring book, it depends entirely on what you like to draw and how you want to relax. Here are the top-rated books to consider for National Coloring Day 2026.

• Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book: Created by coloring pioneer Johanna Basford, this detailed book features beautiful floral patterns, hidden woodland creatures, and deep leaf mazes that set the standard for modern relaxing art.
• World of Wonders: A Coloring Book for Cultivating Wonder Everywhere: Also illustrated by Johanna Basford, this collection guides users through dreamlike landscapes, fairytale buildings, and detailed nature scenes tailored for relaxation.
• Art Therapy Coloring Book Collection: Produced by the French publishing house Hachette, these thick-paper books focus entirely on geometric circles, repeating patterns, and stained-glass designs engineered to calm an overstimulated nervous system.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What day is National Coloring Day?

National Coloring Day is celebrated every year on September 14. It’s a chance for you to enjoy coloring, explore your creativity, and spend some relaxing time with friends or family.

2. When is Coloring Book Day?

National Coloring Book Day is celebrated on August 2. This holiday was formally created in 2015 by Dover Publications.