How to make a coloring book that’s actually fun to color (not just pretty to look at)
Design tips from a kidlit illustrator to help your pages come to life
When I started making coloring books, I thought: “Just make something beautiful, and kids will love it.”
So I started asking different questions:
- What makes a page inviting? especially for kids because this is my target audience (which could be different for you)
- What makes them want to color a full spread and come back for more?
This article is all about that shift - from pretty to playable. Doesn’t matter if you want to create a coloring book for kids, adults, or a niche theme like mythology or nature, here’s how to make pages that are actually enjoyable to interact with.
1. Design with the colorer in mind
If you're an illustrator, it's easy to get carried away with detail - but too much fine linework can make the coloring experience feel stressful or “too precious.”
Ask yourself: