Maybe right now you’re smiling and thinking, Someone’s writing a whole article about plain old colouring? But that’s exactly where the magic often hides — in the simplest things.
Picture this: it is a regular Tuesday afternoon. The kids come home from school buzzing with energy and stories they must tell you immediately.
You’ve just wrapped up a day of home office, your head pounding from endless numbers, deadlines, and emails. The apartment looks like a small tornado passed through. Your son is getting restless, your daughter wants the building set that’s buried somewhere in the basement, and your patience? Completely gone. You’re seconds away from snapping and sending everyone to bed… but it’s only 4 p.m.
Sound familiar? In our house, this kind of scene is not rare. And that’s exactly when one simple sentence has saved the day for me: “Who wants to print a colouring page and do some colouring?”
The reaction? A moment of silence… then the joyful stampede toward the computer and printer. In the next few minutes, we’re picking just the right page for everyone — princesses, cars, animals, mandalas…
And then something special happens
Boxes of coloured pencils, markers, and gel pens (the “special” ones usually saved for special occasions) appear on the table. Everyone sits down with their page. The room fills with a peace you wouldn’t have imagined just minutes before. The only sounds are the soft rustle of paper and the scratch of pencil on the page. Those wild thoughts swirling in your head slow down.
Your biggest dilemma becomes whether that flower should be a gentle pink… or a deep, bold red.
Why colouring isn’t just for kids
You might think of colouring as a childhood pastime, but psychologists have long known it’s an amazing tool for adults, too:
- Instant mental slowdown – you focus on small details, breaking the stream of worries.
- Stress relief – colours calm the nervous system, almost like a walk in nature.
- Boosts creativity – you use your brain in a completely different way, often sparking new ideas.
- Brings people together – kids and adults can do it side by side without conflict.
- No skills required – just the willingness to start.
And the bonus? You see results right away. Every stroke of colour takes you closer to a finished piece.
It’s deeply satisfying — especially on days when it feels like you’ve finished nothing at all.
Paper, pencils, and the present moment
In an age where everything is digital, there’s something unexpectedly pleasant about holding a simple sheet of paper. Choosing a colour. Pressing down, or letting the pencil glide softly over the page. This physical action pulls you into the present. It’s meditation without any complicated techniques.
Imagine the world as a giant orchestra and you’re right in the middle of it — thousands of sounds, tasks, and demands, each like a note that needs to be played. And then… silence. Stillness. As if the conductor had raised a hand and the world paused for a breath. Colouring is that quiet little miracle — a chance for you and your child to sink into your own colourful worlds and share a few moments of calm together.
Colouring is also a form of playful learning — no grades, just the joy of discovery.
Your child thinks they’re “just playing”, but they’re actually:
- practising patience and focus,
- developing fine motor skills,
- learning colours and combinations.
And in today’s busy, fast-paced world, “work-life balance” is a lesson worth teaching.
When your kids see you sit down and do something “just because” — for the pure joy of it — they’ll remember that far more than any lecture about the importance of rest.
How to make it a little ritual
If you think this could work in your home, try turning colouring into a small tradition:
- Set aside a time – maybe 20 minutes after school or work.
- Keep a stash of colouring pages – download a variety so everyone has options.
- Use different tools – pencils, markers, watercolours… whatever’s on hand.
- Create the mood – soft music, a story playing, a warm mug of tea.
- Share your creations – show each other your finished pieces and maybe display them.
It’s not a waste of time
Thinking, “I don’t have time to sit and colour”? That’s exactly why you should try it. Fifteen or twenty minutes can leave you with a clearer head and a lighter mood. And your kids will love that you’re not just the “taskmaster” but also their partner in play.
So the next time that tough afternoon rolls around and you’re on the edge… remember that simple sentence: “Who wants to print a colouring page and do some colouring?”