A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Nov. 06, 2024
Turn off the TV, stop scrolling through social media, and spend your newly found free time reliving a blissful childhood hobby with these adult coloring books.
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When was the last time you picked up a finely sharpened colored pencil and began shading in an illustrated image that brought you joy? If you haven’t thought about coloring since kindergarten, you’re missing out on the comfort that comes from such a simple, low-stakes hobby. Adult coloring books may not be self-help books, technically speaking, but they can do you a lot of good.
The many science-backed benefits of coloring include relaxation and stress reduction. A 2018 study in the journal The Arts in Psychotherapy even found that art therapy can help reduce pain and anxiety. Another reason adult coloring books are all the rage these days is that they provide a screen-free escape from reality that makes you feel like a kid again. And the beauty of this hobby is that there’s no wrong way to color (read: you don’t need to be a skilled artist), so leave your self-judgment at the door.
Find a topic that piques your interest—you can draw inspiration from the best books of all time, books for your zodiac sign, books by female authors, and romance novels—and then choose from among these 20 highly rated adult coloring books. Most of these selections have well over 1,000 five-star reviews from happy colorers who have found peace in the process of putting colored pencils to paper.
Think of this book as your gateway to wondrous worlds you’ve only dreamed about. Johanna Basford is on a mission to inspire creativity, and her die-hard fans can’t get enough—the book maintains a 4.8-star rating with nearly 3,000 reviews. Enjoy shading in tree-top castles, floating islands, and enchanted sea turtles that the talented Basford has sketched by hand. This is a must for anyone who can’t get enough fantasy books in their reading lineup.
Mandala means “circle” in Sanskrit, and these sacred geometric symbols are used to represent a spiritual journey. Coloring these symmetrical designs creates a calming, almost trancelike state, perfect for a dose of art therapy. Arteza makes many adult coloring books and art supplies, but this book in particular really allows creativity—there are 72 one-sided sheets that are detachable, which means you can showcase your work when you’re done. You can color while you watch TV or listen to an audiobook, but to really ditch your troubles, try focusing only on the art.
It’s hard to keep swear words at bay around your kiddos all day long, so let them fly in all your favorite colors with this mom-approved book that’s definitely not appropriate for co-coloring with your kids. (Try these mother-daughter books for a shared reading experience instead.) It’s filled with curse words and patterns that pair well with your favorite glass of wine.
So many adult coloring books are grouped by theme, so it’s refreshing to find one book that caters to everyone. That inclusivity must be why Cindy Elsharouni’s book has over 20,000 reviews. In it, you’ll find 60 designs, from animals and mandalas to paisleys and flowers. These one-sided sheets are thick, so even your favorite gel pens and markers won’t bleed through.
Need a little inspiration for how to incorporate some self-care acts into your daily routine? This book by a Black author features women of color reading, journaling, exercising, relaxing, and unapologetically putting themselves first. We’re so here for it. Grab your pencils and start coloring a scene you’d like to replicate in your own life.
You want flowers? We’ve got your flowers—100 high-resolution images of them, to be exact. From flowers and vases to bunches and bouquets, MantraCraft’s 100 Flower Designs delivers on all your floral fantasies. With its over 4,000 positive reviews, it’s very possible that your next masterpiece lies within these pages. Now that you’re loving your self-care moments, check out these self-care gifts for some more TLC.
Need a little push to chase your dreams? Start by coloring your very own motivational poster. With its whimsical designs and self-love quotes such as “follow your soul; it knows the way” and “some days you just have to create your own sunshine,” the world will soon be your oyster.
If your idea of relaxation is a drink at Mos Eisley cantina, or if your favorite reads are all science fiction books, your search for the best adult coloring books is over. Packed with Star Wars–themed illustrations and including all your favorite characters, this will transport you from the daily stresses of your life to a galaxy far, far away.
Color in quiet contemplation or hum your favorite hymns as you move through the pages of The Psalms in Color. Just as prayer is personal, so is how you choose to use this book. It’s filled with 62 ink drawings (such as kaleidoscopic patterns and wallpaper-style prints) that incorporate Bible quotes. Nearly 4,000 reviewers have given it high praise.
Too many creatures—from the Tapanuli orangutan to the hawksbill turtle—are in danger of vanishing from our planet, and soon they may be but a distant memory. This isn’t a sad book meant to mourn their disappearance but an inspiring book that’ll help you keep their magnificence top of mind. Fragile World features elaborate illustrations of 56 endangered, vulnerable, and threatened animals and landscapes.
Have you ever wanted to reimagine Snow White, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Ariel, Tiana, and the other Disney princesses? Now’s your chance to add your own spin on the colors of their skin, hair, and dresses with a collection of images based on paintings by Thomas Kinkade Studios. Sure, this book provides gorgeous, full-page color reproductions as a guide, but don’t let that stifle your creativity.
If you’re searching for a coloring book you can stash in your purse or in a drawer at work, look no further than the pocket-sized Mindfulness Coloring Book, just one of many adult coloring books by female authors. It’ll allow you to channel your stress into something productive without requiring too much space. The soothing flowers, butterfly, bird, and wave designs give you a moment (or longer) to recharge your batteries.
Are most of your favorite memories still trapped in the ’90s? Then The Splat is calling your name. You’ll be treated to over 96 pages of super-detailed Nickelodeon artwork, featuring such shows as Rugrats, Hey Arnold, and The Ren & Stimpy Show. Many happy reviewers (and there’s over 3,500 of them) report being able to use markers and gel pens, so you know the paper is high quality.
Think Harry Potter fans love to discuss the book series? Wait until you get them talking about the Harry Potter Coloring Book, which has over 8,000 five-star reviews. Obsessed much? You bet! You’ll get the chance to color scenes straight out of one of the best children’s books ever written, from Hogwarts Castle to the Forbidden Forest and beyond. Just be sure to reach for your pencils when shading in these intricate illustrations, as gel pens and markers will bleed through.
Get ready for a couture fashion show within the pages of African Glamour, where it’s up to you to bring the stunning outlines to life. Few adult coloring books capture culture the way this one does, with its 31 classic African-inspired images of silhouetted figures wearing beautiful head wraps and flowing gowns. This book was designed for more experienced colorists and has perforated pages to showcase your final looks.
Interested in learning more about tarot cards and how to read them? Start by coloring your way through every card in a tarot deck. This book contains card-by-card insights into the symbolism and hidden wisdom of all 78 major and minor arcana. By spending so much time studying each card’s details while you color it in, you’ll easily start to memorize their meanings.
If your love of The Real Housewives runs deep, simply tuning in to the TV show may not be enough to get your fix. Immerse yourself in the drama as it plays out on 16 hand-illustrated pages of The New York Housewives Coloring Book, which is the unofficial coloring book for superfans. Only true RHONY fans will get all the inside jokes in this one.
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