Happiness The 11 Best Adult Coloring Books, According to an Expert A peaceful activity that you can take anywhere By Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC LinkedIn Mary K. Tatum is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist and has worked in the field of psychology for over 15 years, with seven years in the private practice setting. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 09, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, is an award-winning physician-scientist and clinical development specialist. 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Coloring books might bring to mind memories of childhood, but coloring as an adult can also relieve feelings of anxiety and depression, especially if used in conjunction with a consistent self-care routine. Whether you need to combat boredom, ease feelings of restlessness, or need some quiet time to yourself, a coloring book is a great alternative to technology and social media. Additionally, they can be useful for your nighttime routine—as the use of electronics before bed may cause disruptions in sleep and may increase the risk of insomnia. Whether a coloring book includes detailed images or snarky humor, it can offer you a simple, fun, and inexpensive way to practice some mindfulness. Here are the best adult coloring books on the market, according to a licensed mental health counselor. Our Top Picks Best Overall: In The Garden Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best Funny: Calm the F*ck Down at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Animal-Lovers: 100 Animals Adult Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best Detailed: 125 Mandalas: An Adult Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best Fantasy: Luna Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best Inspirational: Positive Vibes: Easy Adult Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best Architectural: Fantastic Structures: A Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Nature-Lovers: 100 Countryside Scenes: An Adult Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Plant-Lovers: Plant Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review Best Interactive: Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Mind Best Overall: Color & Frame In The Garden Coloring Book Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros High-quality Perforated edges Can be framed and displayed Cons Some pictures aren't centered The Color and Frame adult coloring book includes 31 pages with perforated edges that make them easy to tear out and display. The pages are filled with leaf and flower patterns and are best used with colored pencils or fine-tipped pens due to the small, detailed designs. The spiral binding allows the book to sit flat while in use, and the extra thickness keeps ink from bleeding through the paper onto the next page. Price at time of publication: $8 Best Funny: Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book Calm the F*ck Down View On Amazon Pros Funny phrases A variety of coloring designs Good for anger and stress relief Cons Swearing may be too much for some Not great for kids Full of cheeky humor, sarcastic one-liners, and therapeutic swear words, this coloring book by Sasha O'Hara is specifically crafted for adults. Moderately complicated designs are paired with positive affirmations such as "dance like no one attractive is watching," to make coloring both stress-relieving and fun. The humor can also decrease frustration and irritation in a healthy and positive way. 21 single-sided pages are included in the book. Price at time of publication: $5 Best for Animal-Lovers: 100 Animals Adult Coloring Book Stress Relieving Designs to Color, Relax and Unwind Courtesy of MantraCraft View On Amazon Pros Good for animal lovers Perfect for all ages 100 coloring pages Cons Markers may bleed through thin lines With over 100 coloring pages of animal images, the 100 Animals Adult Coloring Book includes designs ranging from simple and beginner-friendly, to detailed and advanced. The book serves as a good option for the entire family, or a great gift for the animal-lover in your life. The designs are printed on single side paper to prevent markers or pens from bleeding through to the next page. And while the pages are not perforated, they can still be torn out of the book. Price at time of publication: $7 The 7 Best Motivational Books, According to Mental Health Experts Best Detailed: 125 Mandalas: An Adult Coloring Book Courtesy of Coloring Book Cafe View On Amazon Pros 125 pages and designs Mandala designs are soothing Variety of coloring options Cons Some complaints of thin pages Best for colored pencils Mandalas are geometric patterns that enhance meditation and mindfulness practices. The ones featured in this coloring book draw from multiple cultures and encourage a calm mind and peaceful mood. Each mandala is printed on single-sided paper and they range from simple to expertly detailed and intricate. While each one will take some time to color, the completed project is sure to be beautiful enough to display. Price at time of publication: $10 The 12 Best Stress Relief Products of 2022, According to Our Editors Best Fantasy: Luna Coloring Book Courtesy of Maria Trolle View On Amazon Pros Whimsical, artistic design Good for fantasy lovers Hardback cover Cons Markers may bleed through pages More expensive Created by a graphic designer and illustrator from Stockholm, the Luna coloring book offers a unique whimsical and gardenia theme. For artists who love fantasy, imagination, and fairy-like nature images, this book is a good choice for any mindfulness practice. A hardback cover makes the book durable and long-lasting, and the designs are good for both beginner and intermediate drawers. Price at time of publication: $17 Best Inspirational: Positive Vibes: Easy Adult Coloring Book Courtesy of Sally Berry View On Amazon Pros 50 coloring pages Beginner-friendly Poor eyesight-friendly Cons Some complaints of thin pages For beginners or those who struggle with clear eyesight, the Positive Vibes coloring book is an optimal choice for at-home stress relief. Filled with 114 pages of large patterns and easy-to-see designs, the images are simple to color and a good choice for everyone in the family. The positive quotes can also focus your mind on gratitude and hope, which may minimize negative feelings. Price at time of publication: $8 The 7 Best Self-Help Books to Change Your Life Best Architectural: Fantastic Structures: A Coloring Book of Amazing Buildings Real and Imagined Courtesy of Steve McDonald View On Amazon Pros Expert design Book made to lay flat Cons Double-sided print Alcohol markers may bleed through No perforated edges Let your mind escape to an exciting destination in this coloring book inspired by real photographs. Artist Steve McDonald creates intricate coloring pages of iconic structures from around the world, and the detailed designs are bound to keep you entertained for hours. Fifty four coloring challenges are printed on both sides of the book pages, so you may want to steer clear of alcohol-based markers to avoid any ink from bleeding through. However, when opened, the book lays flat for ease of drawing. Price at time of publication: $15 Best for Nature-Lovers: 100 Countryside Scenes: An Adult Coloring Book Courtesy of Coloring Book Cafe View On Amazon Pros Single sided print 100 design options Comes with four books Cons Some complaints of thin paper Alcohol markers may bleed through From farmyards to rustic cottages, meadows, and English countrysides, this coloring book will quickly take your mind to a peaceful place. It offers 100 hand-drawn designs to choose from and each image is printed on one-sided paper to prevent markers, alcohol-based pens, and watercolors from bleeding through. Some designs are complicated and some are easier—making this book a good option for advanced or beginner drawers. Price at time of publication: $10 The 10 Best Essential Oil Diffusers of 2022 Best for Plant-Lovers: Plant Coloring Book: Floral Coloring Book with Succulents and Flowers for Adults Courtesy of Pink Sage View On Amazon Pros Beginner-friendly Simple, relaxing design Each plant is labeled Cons Designs may be too simple for some No perforated edges If you have an avid gardener in your life, the Plant Coloring Book is bound to put a smile on their face. Filled with images of succulents, flowers, and more, this beginner-friendly book is designed to be relaxing and enjoyable. Plus, each page includes the name of the plant you're coloring, offering an educational component to your meditation practice. The high-quality paper prevents bleeding and the one-sided prints can be torn out and displayed. Since the details aren't super intricate, crayons and markers can also be used on the designs. Price at time of publication: $9 The 10 Best Indoor Plants for Relaxation of 2022 Best Interactive: Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book Courtesy of Johanna Basford View On Amazon Pros Expert design Interactive and interesting High-quality Cons Colored pencils work best Double-sided print May be too complex for some Most coloring books are exclusively filled with coloring pages, but this one also includes mazes, challenges, and space to make your own designs. Secret Garden is a good option for people who manage stress by completing detailed projects, and the pages are great for all levels of drawers. In addition to the book, you can also buy postcards, notecards, and journals with the same designs. Price at time of publication: $10 The 14 Best Bubble Baths of 2022 Best Artistic: Tropical World: A Coloring Book Adventure Courtesy of Millie Marotta View On Amazon Pros Beautiful and unique artistry Intermediate and expert level Space to add individual designs Cons Double-sided pages Alcohol markers may bleed through No perforated edges Topping the New York Times Bestseller's list, author and illustrator Millie Marotta's coloring books are filled with creative and unique designs. The pages include images of animals and tropical foliage to allow for use of vibrant colors. However, they're printed on double-sided pages, so using colored pencils will work best to avoid bleeding through to the next page. Thanks to wide-set outlines, you can also create your own patterns for a more challenging drawing session. Price at time of publication: $15 Final Verdict If you're looking for a good adult coloring book for all experience levels, the Color and Frame In The Garden Coloring Book (view at Amazon) is a great choice. It's filled with 31 images of detailed leaf and flower patterns, and the perforated pages can be ripped out and displayed. Need more of a challenge? The 125 Mandalas book (view at Amazon) offers a variety of detailed mandala images that require focus and will keep you busy for hours on end. What to Look for in a Coloring Book for Adults Promotes Relaxation An adult coloring book should promote creativity and relaxation while decreasing stress. It's important to find a book that fits your personality type, skill level, design preference, and one that doesn't strain your eyesight. Skill Level If a book is too complex or advanced, coloring in the pages may be more frustrating than relaxing. Likewise, if a book is too simple it might become boring to someone with more advanced skills. Detailed designs require patience and focus—you may need to complete them in a few sittings. Simple images can often be completed in a single sitting and might be better if you're trying to complete a shorter mindfulness session. Quality Paper While colored pencils are a safe tool to use for coloring since they don't bleed through, some people prefer markers, crayons, and even watercolor paints to achieve a different look. If you want to use crayons, the designs should be large enough so that you can still stay within the lines. If an image is printed on high-quality paper, you may be able to use watercolors or markers. Also, check to see if the designs are printed on single-sided paper or double-sided paper. Single-sided options may prevent bleeding. Frequently Asked Questions How are adult coloring books different from children's coloring books? Although the basic concept is the same, adult coloring books are actually pretty different from children’s coloring books. They’re designed to appeal to adults, after all. So while kids’ coloring books typically feature cartoon characters and simple illustrations, coloring books for adults tend to be focused on stress relief rather than fun—although they are fun too! Adult coloring books usually feature sophisticated, challenging, often symmetrical designs to lose yourself in. What are the mental health benefits of coloring? Adult coloring books can be a great stress reliever for people who are feeling overwhelmed or find their minds being pulled in too many different directions, says licensed mental health counselor GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC. Coloring can be a great grounding exercise for adults, Guarino adds, as it allows the brain to focus on one simple task.“This helps with not allowing mental clutter to overwhelm the senses and gives the brain a break from the stressors of the day,” she explains. “Coloring is a great activity for decompressing and transitioning out of work mode and into relaxation mode.”Matt Lundquist, founder and clinical director of Tribeca Therapy, believes adult coloring books can create a mindful distraction to help people carve out space to feel their feelings. What makes a good coloring book? The best coloring book is one that has a theme you find most appealing, whether that’s animals, mandalas, or geometric designs. When it comes to quality, a good coloring book has heavyweight paper, sharp images, single-sided printing to avoid bleeding through if markers are used, and lay-flat binding (such as spiral binding) to make it easy to color near the inner margins. Why Trust Verywell Mind? As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience working with clients to improve mental and emotional health, Mary K Tatum understands the importance of finding quality resources and techniques that work for each person. Not everyone will have the same kind of healing or self-care journey, therefore, having lots of options to choose from is vitally important in creating a lifestyle that combats mental illness and promotes health and wellbeing. 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Rajendran N, Mitra TP, Shahrestani S, Coggins A. Randomized controlled trial of adult therapeutic coloring for the management of significant anxiety in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2020;27(2):92-99. doi:10.1111/acem.13838 Fossum IN, Nordnes LT, Storemark SS, Bjorvatn B, Pallesen S. The association between use of electronic media in bed before going to sleep and insomnia symptoms, daytime sleepiness, morningness, and chronotype. Behav Sleep Med. 2014;12(5):343-357. doi:10.1080/15402002.2013.819468 Mantzios M, Giannou K. When did coloring books become mindful? Exploring the effectiveness of a novel method of mindfulness-guided instructions for coloring books to increase mindfulness and decrease anxiety. Front Psychol. 2018;9:56. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00056 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit