The best coloring pages for 2 year olds have thick outlines, big shapes and one simple picture per page. At this age kids scribble more than they stay inside the lines, and that’s exactly how it should be. Here’s what to look for, which crayons to start with and how to keep it fun.
What makes a page right for a 2 year old
- Thick, dark lines. Thin lines disappear under the first scribble. Bold outlines give a toddler something to aim at.
- Big shapes, few details. A big round bear face beats a busy forest scene.
- One picture per page. A crowded page is overwhelming. One clear picture is an easy place to start.
- Things they know. Animals, balloons, cake, bath time and bedtime. Familiar pictures give you something to talk about.
- Printed on one side. Markers can bleed through paper. One-sided pages keep the next picture clean.
Crayons and markers to start with
- Chunky crayons are easier to grip than thin ones and don’t snap as easily.
- Washable markers give bright color with very little pressure.
- Dot markers suit the youngest artists: dab, don’t draw.
Stay close while your toddler colors, and keep caps and small pieces out of reach.
How to keep it fun
- Keep it short. A few minutes is a great start at this age.
- Name the colors and the pictures as they go.
- Let them choose the colors. A purple bear is a perfectly good bear.
- Praise the effort, not the neatness.
- Put finished pages on the fridge. Kids love seeing their work up.
Free coloring pages to try
Every BearHug Colors page is drawn with these rules in mind. Start with our free pages:
- Free bear and bunny coloring pages: Cocoa the bear and Cotton the bunny at a balloon party.
- Free winter coloring pages: a snowman, a puppy and hot cocoa.
When they’re ready for more, each of our coloring books for toddlers has 24 pages, as an instant PDF or a printed book.