I think most would agree that the world is a happier place with a bit of color. Our home is fairly neutral, but our kids’ rooms have always been bright & cheerful.

I’m lucky all of my children are “artsy” and  love to paint, draw, and make things. They know how to keep themselves busy—most of the time. Of course, it’s nice to have a few creative projects ready for when the kids get bored.

We all love coloring, inside and outside the lines. Here’s a collection of original coloring activities that recently caught my eye.

NYC Coloring Book
Available for $5 from Windows of Agate on Etsy.

Coloring books are perfect traveling companions. Although it’s easy to find coloring printables, it’s also nice to have a book that you can save as a souvenir. This eight page, hand-drawn coloring book is small enough to carry around and includes pictures of all the famous NYC sights.

Be sure to check out the Paris-themed color-in tablecloths from French designer Marielle Bazard as well—they’re a perfect primer for a European summer vacation :)

Giant Color-In Art Gallery & Family Tree Posters
Available for $15 from Clare Close.

UK designer Clare Close had so much success with her color-in Christmas tree that she decided to create a whole new range of products. Perfect for parties and long rainy days, her posters come in two sizes and make great keepsakes. I love the family tree idea (four generations) in particular, but once completed, the portrait gallery would make a super feature in child’s room!

“Dots” Visual Identity Eva Markova
Designed by Eva Markova.

Poster Series for the Musée d’Art de Pully
Designed by Emmanuelle Klaefiger.

Why not start with the color and then add the drawings? Eva Markova based her entire graduation project on dots, creating a strong, playful visual identity for a children’s clothing shop (be sure to look at the window display and the shop interior).

Kids will have a great time inventing funny, silly characters from ink, paint, food dye, or whatever else you like. Show them Emmanuelle Klaefiger’s poster series to inspire them, let their imagination will do the rest!

Pictured at top of post: Color-In Cat Plush by Marina Maminas.