Coloring book? We’ve all owned one at some point in our lives, coloring away within the lines of made up worlds. But did you ever ask yourself the benefits of coloring and why you should actually encourage children to use one? In honor of Coloring Book Day (yes, it’s a thing!), we’re giving you 6 reasons why taking time to color is beneficial for young (and older) minds.

1. It’s meditative. Relaxing is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think of coloring, but it’s more than that. Coloring encourages adapting a more mindful attitude towards life, while at the same time it relaxes the amygdala (the part of the brain that controls fears).
2. It helps us focus. Coloring encourages you to stay inside the lines of different images, objects and shapes, as well as to match patterns. In fact, coloring activities engage the frontal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for organization and problem solving.
3. It nurtures creativity. Deciding which patterns to color first, picking out colors and imagining how we want the final image to look like, allows young minds to explore visual designs, and foster their imagination.
4. It contributes to motor skill development. Being able to stay in the lines can be hard work, especially if the area is small. Coloring forces you to practice your motor skills and enhance brain-hand coordination in a relaxed way.
5. It’s a screen-free activity! Need we say more? While technology can be helpful in various aspects of our lives, it can also be overwhelming. Finding ways to engage littles away from the screen is super important.
6. BONUS: Our coloring book does all that, but also promotes critical thinking! Our coloring book doesn’t only include coloring pages, but also open-ended exercises and prompts that allow littles (and not-so-littles) to think outside the box. Learn more about it, here. 

And to celebrate Coloring Book Day, we’re giving out 2 coloring books to spread the fun! All you have to do is follow us on Instagram and DM us, saying DONE. :)