Most people think of printable colouring pages as something to keep children busy for half an hour. And they're brilliant for that — but they're so much more than that too. Once you've downloaded a colouring book, you have unlimited pages to use in all sorts of creative ways. Here are 10 of our favourites.
1. Handmade Birthday Cards
A colouring page makes the most personal birthday card imaginable. Let your child colour a page, fold it in half, and write their message inside — instant handmade card that any grandparent, teacher, or friend will treasure far more than a shop-bought one. Choose a theme to match the recipient: animals for a nature lover, football for a sports fan, or something bright and cheerful for a friend.
Because our colouring books are printable, you can print as many cards as you need — one for every birthday on the calendar.
2. Wall Art
A beautifully coloured page, popped into a simple frame, makes gorgeous wall art — for children's bedrooms and adult spaces alike. Let your child choose their favourite page and colour it carefully with their best pencils, or try one of our adult colouring books for something more intricate and sophisticated.
For a gallery wall effect, frame several pages together in matching frames. Swap them out as new ones are completed to keep the display fresh. It costs almost nothing and the result is completely unique — no two coloured pages are ever the same.
Our adult colouring books are particularly stunning as framed wall art:
- 👉 Nature Adult Colouring Book | Botanical Mindfulness Printable PDF — beautiful botanical illustrations that look incredible framed
- 👉 Abstract Pattern Adult Colouring Book | Mindfulness Printable PDF — striking geometric and abstract designs that make bold, modern wall art
- 👉 Floral Adult Colouring Book | Stress Relief Mindfulness Pages — delicate floral pages that look beautiful in a simple white frame
3. Bookmarks
Print a colouring page, colour it in, then cut out a bookmark-sized strip — roughly 5cm x 20cm. Laminate it for durability (most supermarkets and office supply shops sell home laminating pouches) and punch a hole at the top for a ribbon or tassel. A completely unique, handmade bookmark that children are incredibly proud to use.
These also make lovely little gifts for teachers, friends, or family members who love reading.
4. Gift Tags
Cut small rectangles or shapes from a coloured page, punch a hole in the corner, and thread through some twine — you have beautiful, personalised gift tags in minutes. So much more special than the paper tags from a roll, and completely free once you have the download.
Children love making these as part of the gift-giving process — it gives them real ownership over the present they're giving.
5. Classroom Displays
Teachers — this one's for you. Printable colouring pages are a brilliant resource for classroom displays. Set a colouring activity linked to your current topic, collect the finished pages, and use them to create a vibrant, child-made display that celebrates every child's contribution. Because you can print unlimited copies, every child gets their own page — no sharing, no waiting.
They're also perfect for form time, wet play, or as a calm-down activity for children who need a moment to regulate.
6. Gifts
A colouring book — printed, hole-punched, and tied with ribbon — makes a thoughtful, personal gift for children. Print the whole book, bind it at home (see our guide to creating a printable activity binder), and wrap it up. Add a set of good quality pencils and you have a complete, affordable gift that children genuinely love.
It's also a brilliant last-minute gift — download, print, and wrap in under an hour.
7. Party Bag Fillers — Eco-Friendly and Better Value Than Plastic Toys
Let's be honest — most party bag plastic toys last about five minutes before they break, get lost, or end up in the bin. Printed colouring pages are a brilliant alternative: eco-friendly, genuinely enjoyable, and so much kinder on the budget.
A few printed pages, rolled up and tied with a ribbon, make a lovely party bag filler that children actually use. Even better — match the theme of the party for a really polished finish:
- 👉 FIFA World Cup Colouring Bundle | England Heroes & All 48 Team Flags — perfect for a football-themed party. Every child goes home with their own set of football colouring pages to complete at home.
- 👉 4-in-1 Kids Colouring Book Collection — four themed books in one download, so you can mix and match pages to suit any party theme.
Because you can print unlimited copies from a single download, you can fill every party bag for the cost of a few pence per child in printer ink. No plastic, no waste, no last-minute panic — just print, roll, ribbon, done.
8. Key Rings
This one takes a little more effort but children absolutely love it. Colour a small section of a page, cut it into a circle or shape, laminate it, punch a hole, and attach a key ring (available cheaply from craft shops or online). A completely unique, handmade key ring that makes a wonderful gift or keepsake.
Older children can make these as gifts for parents, grandparents, or teachers — and they're a brilliant rainy day craft activity.
9. Badges
Using a badge-making kit (widely available and very affordable), children can turn their coloured artwork into wearable badges. Cut the coloured page to size, pop it in the badge maker, and press — instant personalised badge. Children love wearing something they've made themselves, and they make brilliant party favours or rewards.
Badge-making kits are a one-off purchase that children can use again and again with new colouring pages.
10. Scrapbooking and Journaling
Colouring pages make beautiful additions to scrapbooks and journals. Cut out individual elements — a flower, an animal, a star — and use them as decorative pieces alongside photos, tickets, and memories. Children who keep a summer diary or holiday journal can use coloured pages to illustrate their entries and make their books truly unique.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
- Use good quality paper — 80–100gsm gives the best results for colouring and crafting
- Laminate for durability — bookmarks, gift tags, and key rings last much longer when laminated
- Print multiple copies — one for colouring, one for crafting, one for keeping
- Let children lead — the more ownership they have over the project, the more pride they take in the result
- Bind pages into a booklet — read our guide on how to create a printable activity binder at home for easy binding ideas
Our Printable Colouring Books
All of our colouring books are instant digital downloads — buy once and print as many times as you like, forever. Perfect for all of the ideas above and more.
- 👉 4-in-1 Kids Colouring Book Collection — four themed books in one download
- 👉 FIFA World Cup Colouring Bundle — England heroes and all 48 team flags
- 👉 Nature Adult Colouring Book — botanical mindfulness pages
- 👉 Abstract Pattern Adult Colouring Book — bold geometric and abstract designs
- 👉 Dinosaur Colouring Book for Kids — roarsome pages for dinosaur lovers
- 👉 Fluffy Friends Kids Colouring Book — adorable animals for all ages
- 👉 Browse our full colouring collection
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use printable colouring pages for commercial purposes?
Our colouring books are licensed for personal and educational use — perfect for home, classroom displays, party bags, and handmade gifts for friends and family. They are not licensed for resale or commercial reproduction.
What's the best way to laminate at home?
Home laminating pouches are available from most supermarkets, office supply shops, and online retailers. A basic home laminator costs from around £15–20 and is a brilliant investment if you do a lot of crafting with children. For occasional use, self-adhesive laminating pouches (no machine needed) work well for bookmarks and gift tags.
Where can I get badge-making kits?
Badge-making kits are widely available from craft shops, Amazon, and hobby retailers. A basic kit with 50–100 badge components costs around £15–25 and is a one-off purchase that children can use repeatedly with new colouring pages.
How do I bind printed pages into a booklet at home?
There are several easy options: staple along the left edge for a simple booklet, use treasury tags or binder rings through hole-punched pages for a flip-book style, or pop pages into a plastic wallet folder. For a more polished finish, read our full guide: How to Create a Printable Activity Binder for Your Child.
0 comments