7 Powerful Art Lessons Kids Learn from Coloring Pages

Emma Tipping
May 21
4 min read

Updated: 18 hours ago

How many times have you seen a kid coloring in a coloring book? I would guess it's probably more times than you can count! Kids love coloring. They love the smell of the crayons, the oodles of colors and all the fun pictures they get to color in. Unicorns, puppies, mermaids, etc.

Kids can learn so many powerful art lessons with simple coloring pages.

What if I told you that these simple coloring pages are actually a great way for kids to launch their art journey? That even the youngest artists can start to tackle even the most advanced visual art concepts with a piece of paper and a box of crayons?

It's true. All they need are the right supplies and a passionate, knowledgeable art teacher to guide them. And by "supplies", I don't mean fancy schmantzy art materials that cost an arm and a leg. I mean simple, affordable children's art supplies.

As for the instructor? Well, as a professional children's book illustrator and arts educator, I've been studying and making art for years. And I'm here to help your kiddo unlock the incredible artsy learning hidden the simplest of coloring pages.

Here are six powerful lessons kids learn from coloring—and how those lessons can go deeper with a thoughtful nudge from someone who knows the ropes.

7 Powerful Art Lessons that Kids Learn from Coloring

1. They learn how to actually use art materials

Ever seen a kid press a crayon down so hard it breaks? That’s part of the learning process! Coloring is one of the first ways kids experiment with art tools—figuring out how different materials feel, mix, and layer.

One of my favorite moments as a teacher is showing a kid how to create soft gradients with colored pencils—or letting them discover that pressing harder makes a color pop. Those tiny “aha” moments are where real artistic growth begins.

Coloring helps children experiment with different art supplies and techniques, as well as develop fine motor skills!

2. They build fine motor skills (think mini Michelangelos)

Coloring helps kids strengthen the muscles and coordination they need to draw, write, and manipulate tools confidently. It’s also closely linked to brain development—fine motor control supports language, attention, and even emotional regulation.

In my work with students, I love to sneak in little motor-skill challenges through playful prompts: swirly lines, tight corners, layered textures. Kids think they’re just having fun—but they’re training their brains and bodies in real ways.

3. Kids start forming their own artistic taste

Each time a child chooses a color, a page, or a style, they’re expressing something unique about themselves. Their creative choices are the beginning of personal style.

I see this every day—kids realizing, “Oh! I like these colors. I like drawing animals more than people. I love making things look a little silly.” Helping them notice and trust those preferences is one of the most powerful parts of teaching art.

4. They get a crash course in color theory (without even knowing it)

Most kids won’t be throwing around words like “complementary contrast” or “hue shifts”—but they do notice when two colors look good together or clash in a funny way.

I get so excited watching young artists experiment with unexpected color combos or layer two markers and discover a third color underneath. Those intuitive discoveries are the seeds of a deep understanding of color theory—and I love creating coloring pages that gently guide them to make those discoveries on their own.

Learning how to start a challenging project, and how to finish are a project, are two very important creative lessons that kids can get from coloring.

5. Tackle important design skills many artists don't learn until high school or college.

It's a crazy reality, but some of the more important visual concepts that artists and creatives of all stripes need to learn, don't get discussed until AP art class or even college. Practicing in coloring books can actually help kids learn basic design concepts like value or contrast. It can also help them tackle more complicated ideas like how to build compostions with strong focal points. These are totally skills kids can understand. Might as well get started!

6. Kids practice how to begin something

Starting something new takes guts. A blank(ish) page, a pile of supplies—it’s both exciting and a little scary. But coloring helps kids take that first step over and over again.

In my classes, I help kids build that muscle of creative courage. We talk about what it feels like to begin something without knowing exactly how it’ll turn out—and how that’s exactly what creativity is.

7. They learn to finish what they've started

Finishing a drawing—or anything!—takes focus, patience, and sometimes a bit of grit. Even in coloring, it’s easy to start a bunch of pages and abandon them halfway.

I’ve learned to gently nudge kids toward the satisfaction of finishing something they started. It’s not about perfection—it’s about building a habit of follow-through. A simple “I finished it!” moment can be a powerful confidence builder.

It's not just Coloring... it's CREATIVITY

Coloring is more than play. It’s practice for being a creative, capable human.

That’s why I’ve created a growing collection of hand-drawn coloring pages (yes, drawn by me- no AI, no templates!) that teach specific artistic concepts in kid-friendly, joyful ways.