Tukanino

Guide for parents

Why coloring is good for young children

Coloring is a small, calm job for little hands. Here is what research says it helps with, and where the evidence stops.

4 min read13 sourcesSources checked November 2, 2026

Coloring page of a smiling kitten looking up at a butterfly resting on its head

What the research says

We checked six common claims about coloring. The bars show how well research backs each one.

  • Solid
  • Linked, not proven
  • Little research
  • Not shown

  • Solid

    Color words come slowly, between about 2 and 4

    Mixing up colors, like calling orange “red”, is a normal step.1 By 4, most children can name a few colors.2

  • Solid

    Pediatricians suggest crayons and paper

    The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests crayons or markers and paper for children aged 1 to 3, as part of play they enjoy.3

  • Linked, not proven

    Skilled little hands, better school results

    Preschoolers with stronger fine motor skills tended to do better in reading and math later. No study tested coloring itself.456

  • Linked, not proven

    Copying shapes, clearer handwriting

    Kindergarten children who copy shapes well also tend to copy letters more clearly. This was measured with shapes, not coloring.78

  • Little research

    Coloring calms toddlers

    Studies on drawing, coloring and mood were done with children aged 6 to 12 and with adults. Very little research covers children under 5.9101112

  • Not shown

    Coloring books harm creativity

    Some art educators worry about it, but there is little research either way.13 We suggest a sheet of blank paper next to the coloring page.

Small hands at work

Coloring and drawing use small, careful movements of the hands and fingers. These are called fine motor skills. Copying a simple shape, like a circle or a cross, also needs the eyes and the hand to work together.

Studies that followed children over time found that preschoolers with stronger fine motor skills tended to do better in reading and math later.456 In one US study of 213 children, copying shapes was linked to higher scores in kindergarten. Building with blocks and drawing a person were not.5 Kindergarten children who copy shapes well also tend to copy letters more clearly.78

These studies show a link. They do not show that coloring causes better results. A coloring page is simply an easy, low-pressure way to use those skills. Trace a circle in the picture with your finger, then let your child draw one next to it. The guide to coloring by age shows when most children learn each shape.

Tower of building blocks · Simple

A natural time to talk about colors

Children learn color words slowly, often between about 2 and 4. Along the way they often use one word for similar colors, such as calling orange “red”. This is a normal step.1

By 4, most children can name a few colors. By about 3, most can also say what is happening in a picture when you ask.2 So name the colors as your child uses them, and now and then ask about the picture: “What is the apple doing?”

Smiling apple · Very simple

Play your child chooses

The American Academy of Pediatrics says play helps young children build thinking, language, social and self-control skills. For ages 1 to 3, it suggests crayons or markers and paper for scribbling.3

The same report warns that worksheets and other highly structured tasks are not the same as play. Play is something a child chooses and enjoys.3 So offer a coloring page, then let your child decide what to color, which colors to use and when to stop.

Ladybug on a leaf · Very simple

Print a page and try it

Every page is free, prints on A4 and has thick lines for small hands.

See all drawings
Coloring page of a smiling cartoon apple with round cheeks, a short stem and one leafColoring page of a smiling kitten looking up at a butterfly resting on its headColoring page of a friendly octopus with curly arms, looking up at a big bubble

Questions parents ask

Is coloring good for toddlers?

Coloring with crayons is a kind of play that pediatricians suggest for ages 1 to 3.3 It also uses fine motor skills. Keep it short, and let your child lead.

Does coloring calm children down?

We don't know for children under 5. Research on drawing, coloring and mood has been done with children aged 6 to 12 and with adults.91011

Sources

Every claim on this page links to one of these sources. We read each one and note who was studied.

  1. 1
    StudyWagner, K., Dobkins, K., & Barner, D. (2013). Slow mapping: Color word learning as a gradual inductive process. Cognition, 127(3), 307–317.doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2013.01.010English-speaking children aged about 2 to 5, US.
  2. 2
    GuidelineCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Milestones by 3 years and by 4 years. Learn the Signs. Act Early.3 years · 4 yearsUS checklists. Each milestone is something at least 75% of children can do by that age.
  3. 3
    GuidelineYogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R. M., et al. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20182058.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058Clinical report of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an expert review of research.
  4. 4
    StudyGrissmer, D., Grimm, K. J., Aiyer, S. M., Murrah, W. M., & Steele, J. S. (2010). Fine motor skills and early comprehension of the world: Two new school readiness indicators. Developmental Psychology, 46(5), 1008–1017.doi.org/10.1037/a0020104Six long-term data sets from the US and UK. Fine motor skills at school entry predicted later math and reading.
  5. 5
    StudyCameron, C. E., Brock, L. L., Murrah, W. M., Bell, L. H., Worzalla, S. L., Grissmer, D., & Morrison, F. J. (2012). Fine motor skills and executive function both contribute to kindergarten achievement. Child Development, 83(4), 1229–1244.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01768.x213 children, average age 5, US Midwest. The authors say the study does not show cause and effect.
  6. 6
    StudyDinehart, L., & Manfra, L. (2013). Associations between low-income children's fine motor skills in preschool and academic performance in second grade. Early Education and Development, 24(2), 138–161.doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2011.636729Low-income preschoolers in Miami-Dade County, US, followed to second grade.
  7. 7
    StudyDaly, C. J., Kelley, G. T., & Krauss, A. (2003). Relationship between visual-motor integration and handwriting skills of children in kindergarten: A modified replication study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57(4), 459–462.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.57.4.45954 kindergarten children, New York City, US.
  8. 8
    StudyWeil, M. J., & Cunningham Amundson, S. J. (1994). Relationship between visuomotor and handwriting skills of children in kindergarten. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48(11), 982–988.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.48.11.98260 kindergarten children aged 5 to 6, Washington State, US.
  9. 9
    StudyDrake, J. E., & Winner, E. (2013). How children use drawing to regulate their emotions. Cognition and Emotion, 27(3), 512–520.doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2012.720567Children aged 6 to 12, US. Free drawing, not coloring pages.
  10. 10
    StudyCarsley, D., Heath, N. L., & Fajnerova, S. (2015). Effectiveness of a classroom mindfulness coloring activity for test anxiety in children. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 31(3), 239–255.doi.org/10.1080/15377903.2015.105692552 children with an average age of about 11. Both groups colored, so there was no group to compare without coloring.
  11. 11
    StudyCurry, N. A., & Kasser, T. (2005). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy, 22(2), 81–85.doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2005.1012944184 university students. Adults only.
  12. 12
    ReviewJia, Y., Zhang, S., & Liao, D. (2026). Drawing and visual art interventions for anxiety in children aged 5–12: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 10(1), e004752.doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2026-00475210 trials with 816 children aged 5 to 12, most of them in hospitals. Results varied too much for one clear answer.
  13. 13
    EssayKing, I. L. (1991). In search of Lowenfeld's proof that coloring books are harmful to children. Studies in Art Education, 33(1), 36–.doi.org/10.2307/1320575Looks for the evidence behind the claim that coloring books harm children, and calls for more research.