Fun Facts About Coloring Books for Kids

Coloring books have become the latest trend and what is the best about them is that they are actually good for kids. Since they are so popular and very beneficial for the kids, here are some fun facts about coloring books for kids and their history.

★ Coloring books exist since 19th century.

★ The “golden age” of coloring books is 1960s because almost all famous characters were on them and even products (Planter Peanuts or Campbell Soup)

★ The McLoughlin Brothers are credited as the inventors of the coloring book. They have created The Little Folks’ Painting Book in collaboration with Kate Greenaway in 1880s.

★ Paint books and coloring books emerged in the United States as a part of “democratization of art” process, inspired by a series of lectures by a British artist Joshua Reynolds and the works of a Swiss educator Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi and his student Friedrick Frobel.

★ Before 1930’s the basic coloring book was not accepted and only painting books were used. Even later in 1930’s when crayons came to use, coloring books were still designed for painting.

★ The first one to use coloring pages as a relaxation technique and way of self — expression is a psychologist Carl Gustav Jung. He prescribed coloring of mandalas as a part of his patients’ therapy.

★Educators have concluded that art education enhanced cognitive development and improved many skills that were useful in finding a profession.

★ Big attraction of coloring books during 1940s were movie stars — Judy Garland, Betty Grable and Margaret O’ Brien.

★ Western film heroes were also popular characters in coloring books.

★ Did you know that August 2. is the National Coloring Book Day — a day to relax and color.

Coloring has always been children’s favorite recreational activity. Many psychologists suggest that starting kids on coloring books in an early age can boost cognitive development, motor skills improvement and creativity. The choice of coloring pages in now bigger than ever, so all you have to do is make a decision whether you want a coloring book, coloring sheets or you can even download an app with coloring pages.