Everyday coloring pages: nature, helpers, food and toys

Coloring the things they know

Between 2 and 5, many children seem to learn a new word every day: sun, spoon, ball, the name of the person who brings the mail. A page about something familiar lets them point, name and tell you what they know.

Nature covers the garden, the weather and the small things you find outside. Helpers shows the people who look after us. Food brings fruit, vegetables and treats from the kitchen table, and Toys and play has the things children reach for at home and outside.

You'll find both levels in every topic. Very simple pages keep to one big object or character for 2- and 3-year-olds, while Simple pages put a few more shapes around it for 4- and 5-year-olds. Because the subjects are so familiar, these pages often work well for children who are new to coloring.

Ideas while you color

• Find the real thing

  When a page is finished, go and find the real thing: a ball, a spoon, a flower outside. Hold it next to the drawing and compare.

• Color a thank-you

  Talk about the people who help your family, like a doctor, a teacher or a bus driver. Color a Helpers page for one of them and give it next time you meet.

• Talk about tastes

  While you color a food page, ask what it tastes like: sweet, sour or crunchy. Some children who are picky at the table are happy to talk about food on paper.

• Match today's weather

  Look out the window before you start. Sunny, cloudy or rainy? Pick a Nature page and color it to match the day.