Halloween Coloring Pages
So what do you do with youngsters who are too young for tricks and treats, or other games, but who still want to enjoy the thrills and excitement of Halloween? Try coloring pages; a page or two and a box of crayons will often keep a toddler occupied, at least long enough for you to answer the doorbell. Coloring is a simple but fun activity that can effectively involve youngsters in the fun of a party.
Keep it age appropriate. Jason and Freddy might be acceptable Halloween fare for older kids and adults, but may be frightening for a four year old. Keep the Halloween themes light, with clowns, cowboys, superheroes, and the odd comical witch, cat, pumpkin or two. Leave the scary stuff for after the kids are in bed.
Keep it gender appropriate: Boys tend to prefer action, rough and tumble subjects. Girls would prefer dolls, princesses, and animals. Know your audience.
Keep it simple. Young children aren’t Rembrandts. You’ll be lucky if even one border line isn’t colored over. Keep the illustrations minimalistic and easy for young minds to grasp and work with.
Keep it entertaining. A picture of a solitary figure isn’t very exciting to a young child. They would prefer to see action, movement, motion, even if it is within the context of a still picture. Pictures with something actually going on serve to fire the imagination and bring out creativity.
Keep it imaginative. A picture of a graveyard or a haunted house or a monster might seem a given for Halloween, but may not be particularly appealing to a young child. Try thinking outside the box and making the monster friendly, the haunted house inhabited by silly ghosts, or the graveyard…..well, you’ll have to figure that one out for yourself!
Keep it personal. Programs such as Photoshop allow you to convert family photos into coloring pages. This allows kids to turn Dad in Captain Jack Sparrow, or Mom into the Wicked Witch of the North. Kids usually jump at the chance to colorize family members.
There are many printable coloring sheets and designs available online, and can often be downloaded for free. If you prefer the old-fashioned approach to crafts, plain old coloring books can be found for next to nothing at the local dollar store.
Similarly, the art supplies can be found for cheap. Crayons and coloring pencils can be found at your local stores. If you choose to supply your artists with paints or markers, make sure they’re nontoxic and water-based so that they are washable.
Halloween is a fun holiday, and should be enjoyed by all ages. Simple coloring pages and books provide for a nice safe activity for younger children and offer a great alternative for those who may still be too young for trick or treating or party games.
