Coloring pictures on your phone or tablet can be a fun, relaxing activity for both kids and adults. With the rise of digital art and creative apps, there are now several options that allow you to color line art, photos, and even mandalas or abstract designs. Choosing the right coloring book app depends on your preferences and device.
Adult Coloring Book Apps
For adults looking for a calming, meditative experience, abstract coloring apps provide infinite canvases to fill with color. These apps are ideal for colorists who want to relax and de-stress.
Some top picks include:
- Pigment – Adult Coloring Book: Offers stylish, abstract designs and the ability to create your own coloring pages.
- Colorfly: Provides a variety of kaleidoscope, mandala, and geometric patterns.
- Color Therapy Coloring Book: Features tranquil nature scenes and calming music.
These apps mimic the experience of coloring printed books, but with more convenient features like editable palettes and color picker tools. You can color intricate patterns for hours on end from the comfort of your sofa.
Kids Coloring Book Apps
If you’re looking for coloring apps for children, there are many playful options that provide hours of entertainment. These apps often feature popular characters and allow kids to express their creativity.
Top choices for kids include:
- Colorfy: Color by Numbers – Offers a range of cute animal designs.
- Happy Color – Color by Number: Includes animals, nature, and city scenes.
- Toca Life: Color by Numbers: Features creative coloring pages from the Toca Boca world.
Kids can enjoy coloring alongside interactive characters while learning to stay within the lines. Parental controls allow you to disable ads or restrict access to certain features to create a safe, educational experience.
| App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Pigment – Adult Coloring Book | Beautiful abstract designs, customize palette, own pages |
| Colorfy: Color by Numbers | Cute animals, number guides, stickers |
| Happy Color – Color by Number | Animals, nature, city scenes, numbers or free draw |
Photo Coloring Apps
For those who want to color real-life photographs, there are apps that convert images to digitally outlined versions ready for coloring. This allows you to create one-of-a-kind personalized pieces.
Recommended photo coloring apps:
- Colorfly: Photo Editor & Photo Color: Outlines photos and adds coloring tools.
- Photo Color – Color By Number: Converts photos to coloring pages.
- Color Me: Photo Editor: Transforms images into digital coloring books.
Turn photos of loved ones, pets, favorite places, or anything else into unique works of art. These apps provide advanced features like layering for more advanced colorists.
Free vs. Paid Coloring Apps
You can find both free and paid digital coloring apps and the prices are generally affordable. Here’s an overview of what to expect:
- Free apps – Offer limited features and pages. Include ads and in-app purchases.
- Paid apps – Provide unlimited access, more features, no ads. Usually $1-$5.
- Subscriptions – For unlimited pages monthly/annually. Ad-free.
While you can find decent free options for simple coloring fun, paid and subscription apps provide better value in the long run. The best features and our top picks generally require a one-time purchase or subscription.
Key Features to Look For
Here are some key features to look for in a digital coloring app:
- Number of designs/pages – More variety and pages provide more coloring time.
- Color palettes – Ability to customize provides more options.
- Coloring tools – Look for options like layers, pencil, marker, airbrush.
- Save/print – Keep or share your artwork.
- Simple controls – Easy to use for all skill levels.
Also consider factors like supported devices, average app rating, and age-appropriate content. Read the app descriptions and reviews to ensure the app fits your needs before downloading.
Conclusion
Coloring apps allow you to enjoy the relaxing, creative experience of coloring from your smartphone or tablet. There are diverse options ranging from intricate abstract designs to cute characters for kids. Converting photos into digital coloring pages is also popular.
The best adult coloring apps provide endless pages, customization, and sophisticated tools while kids apps emphasize fun characters and interactivity. While free apps offer a basic experience, paid and subscription apps unlock better features. Evaluate factors like variety, tools, and ratings to choose the right app for your needs.
Coloring apps provide portable fun for colorists of all ages. Download a highly rated option, grab your smartphone stylus, and let your creativity flow wherever you go.
