10 Easy Ways to Use Coloring Pages

Love adult coloring books? I've got 10 easy ways to use coloring pages that you're going to love!

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10 Ways to Use Coloring Pages

Adult coloring books have become so popular! I have a few, and it's fun and relaxing to spend a few hours coloring the intricate designs. It's like being transported back to childhood ... in a good way!

In the past, I've let my finished masterpieces (ahem) sit in the books, but then I started wondering how to use finished coloring pages. And I realized how fun it would be to actually use the pages for something.

I hope you enjoy these 10 easy ways to use coloring pages, plus check out my favorite coloring books and pens, too (scroll to the end of the post for those)!

By the way ... if you can't bear to cut up your favorite coloring books, simply make color copies of the pages and use the copies instead.

1. Wrap a Package

Most coloring pages are big enough to wrap a small package. For larger boxes, make multiple copies of the page and seam them together with double sided tape.

Is your present way too big? Use a coloring page to make a gift tag instead.

2. Make an Envelope

Homemade envelopes are an easy way to add a special touch to any letter. You can either use an envelope template kit or pull apart a ready made envelope to use as a template.

To make your own envelope, start by tracing around an old envelope (or template), fold in the points, then use double sided tape to hold everything together.

Since most coloring book are printed on both sides, the inside and outside of your envelope will have a fun pattern.

You could also use a page to create a liner for a regular envelope. Simply trim the page slightly smaller than the inside of your envelope, then hold it in place with double sided tape.

3. Create a Unique Postcard

Creating beautiful postcards is one of my favorite ways to use coloring pages. For the postcard above, I simply mounted my page on a blank note card to make it extra sturdy. Then, I added "Hello" using gold glitter stickers. Cute, right?

I recommend using Mod Podge (or a similar glue) to hold the layers together. Once you've glued it together, place the postcard under a heavy book. That way, it will dry flat.

You can also create custom stationary with coloring pages. Purchase blank cards (Paper Source has a great selection of pretty colors), then glue on your coloring pages.

4. Frame It

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a finished coloring page, why not frame it? It’s a great way to show off a brightly colored piece! If you have multiple images from the same coloring book, you could even make a gallery wall.

There’s no need for an expensive framing job. Simply buy a frame with a mat and pop in your beautiful art.

This hand print coloring page is a favorite of mine, and I love how it looks framed. My husband didn't even realize it was from a coloring book until I told him!

5. Mount It on Canvas or Wood

Another way to create art from your coloring pages is by mounting the images on wood or canvas.

For the two pieces above, I cut two rectangles from the same coloring page. Since the paper was pretty thin, I glued it to a piece of card stock, then attached the images to scrap wood with mounting squares.

You could also attach the pages to a blank canvas. Check out my Canvas Mounted Instagram Photos posts for details on how to do that. It's super easy!

6. Create a Storage Container

This is a fun way to upcycle an empty can or other container to create extra storage for cheap!

I wrapped one of my fave pages around an empty coffee canister, using double sided tape to hold it all together. The page was a little too short to reach around the canister, so I covered to gap with a piece of coordinating card stock.

Then, I went around the edge with my favorite striped washi tape. I like how it coordinates with the bees!

7. Make a Bow

DIY paper bows are such a fun, easy way to use coloring pages!

To start, cut a strip of paper from your page. Tape the ends with double sided tape to create a loop. Next, place a piece of tape in the center and press the two sides together so you have a loop on both ends.

Trim a "v" out of each side. It should start to look like a bow.

Wrap a skinnier strip of paper around the center of the bow.

Hold in place with more double sided tape.

Add tails with more strips of paper, if desired. Then, attach the bow to your package with more tape.

Cute, right? I like how the pattern from the opposite side peeks through a bit.

8. Create a Custom Bookmark

One of my favorite crafts with finished coloring pages? Bookmarks ... you can get so creative with them!

My Posh Coloring Book had a page with intricate feathers that I decided to turn them into these colorful bookmarks. I trimmed right around the feathers since the background was plain, but you could also out rectangles if your page is patterned all over.

Once you've cut out your pages, attach them to a rectangle of card stock with Mod Podge (or a similar glue). I used a corner rounder on the edges of my bookmarks.

For the finishing touch, use a hole punch to add a hole at the top of the bookmarks, then thread it with a piece of coordinating ribbon.

9. Make a Handmade Journal

Have you ever made your own folding journals? It is so simple, and would make a wonderful gift for pretty much anyone.

I didn't color my page for this project. The black and white looks super sharp, and the recipient can color it in if they wish.

To create these mini journals, you'll need:

• a coloring page for the cover
• paper for the inside of your book (I used printer paper.)
• waxed thread
• an awl
• a large hole needle

Cut your cover slightly larger than the interior pages. Fold everything in half neatly, then nestle the interior pages inside the cover. You'll punch three holes with the awl, then use the thread and needle to create a pamphlet stitch that will hold the pages together.

Here's an easy tutorial for creating the pamphlet stitch. It's super easy, and once you learn it, you'll want to create tons of these cute journals.

10. Line a Tray

This lined tray just might be my favorite easy way to use coloring pages!

My husband gave me this tray a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to decide what to do with it. I finally decided to add a liner using a page from one of my favorite books, Secret Garden.

All I did was cut the page to fit inside the tray. Then, I added a coating of Mod Podge to bottom of the tray and pressed in the coloring page. After letting it dry, I added another coat of Mod Podge to protect the paper.

Doesn't it look gorgeous? This wood tray is very similar to the one I used, and it comes in multiple sizes.

Bonus: Make Colorful Coasters!

Okay, I counted wrong (ha), so here's a bonus project! I absolutely LOVE this page from my Posh Coloring Book, so I turned it into these cute coasters.

To make your own, cut 3.5-inch squares out of bookboard or a heavy solid-core cardboard (mat board would work, too, as would ceramic tiles). Then, paint the squares whatever color you'd like and let dry. I used FolkArt Acrylic Paint in Light Blue.

Cut your coloring pages into 3-inch squares. Flip over and apply Mod Podge to the back. Apply the pages to the painted squares and let dry. Finish by a couple coats of Mod Podge over the whole coaster (letting dry in between coats).

Favorite Coloring Books, Pencils, and Markers

If you’re looking for a fun adult coloring books, I have and love the following books. The books are all really different from each other, so I like to pick a specific book based on my mood.

• Secret Garden – from the artist that kicked off the adult coloring book trend, this book is a classic, and I love it!
• Posh Coloring Book – this book has a wide variety of interesting designs, making it fun to browse through and color.
• Vive Le Color India – this is my newest book. I really like the small, square pages, which make the designs faster to color. This book would be great to use for a coloring party, too, because the pages are so easy to remove from the book.
• Fantastic Cities and Secret Paris are on my wish list (plus, a million others … ha).

For coloring the pages, I like to use the following:

• Prismacolor Colored Pencils  – the BEST colored pencils in my opinion, these pencils have a saturated, waxy finish that makes blending multiple colors together really easy.
• Sakura GellyRoll Moonlight Pen Set– the shades in this set are simply gorgeous! I love the other pens this company makes, too.
• Yummy Yummy Scented Glitter Gel Pens – these gel pens are so fun to work with. They have a colorful, glittery finish that’s so pretty.
• You can also get beautiful effects with watercolors! I recommend using the Art Alternatives Pocket Watercolor Set with an Aquash Water Brush.

What is your favorite easy way to use finished coloring pages?

P.S. Download my free Ain't No Mountain High Enough or Happy Fall Y'all coloring pages!