Did you know that August 2 is National Coloring Book Day? Although we’ve only been observing this holiday since 2015, coloring books themselves have been around for centuries. Originally, coloring books were known as “painting books”, because watercolor paints were often used to color the pictures. With the invention of Crayola crayons in 1902, however, painting books soon became the kind of coloring books we know and love today.

The best part about National Coloring Book Day is that both the young and the young at heart can find ways to celebrate. Check out our ideas below!

• Buy yourself (or your kids) a new coloring book!-Coloring books certainly aren’t just for kids anymore! The adult coloring book craze started in 2012, and has only exploded in popularity since then. These days, you can find just about any theme represented in a coloring book. Whether you love dogs, cats, flowers, food, or pop culture, you can be sure that the perfect coloring book is out there for you.
• Purchase a fresh box of crayons!-Since you’re going ahead and getting yourself a new coloring book, you might as well get a brand-new box of crayons, too. If crayons aren’t your thing, or you just want to put a different “spin” on your artwork, give colored pencils, gel pens, or fine-tipped markers a try.
• Have a coloring book party!-If you’d rather not color by yourself, why not turn it into a party? Get your friends and family together to do some coloring with you. You might even want to have someone read aloud a story while you work on your creations. (Take a look at our catalog for some suggestions!) 

Alternatively, you can always stop by the library and ask your librarian to help you print some coloring pages for yourself.  And don’t forget…if you want to show off your artwork, feel free to post it on any of our social media platforms, with the hashtag #NationalColoringBookDay.