Going along with the homemade gifts this year, what about making my own coloring books for my nieces and nephews? Not sure how I stumbled across this idea, probably thinking about how my one niece likes me to draw princesses or whatnot that she can’t get to look quite right so she can color them. Would doing this on a larger scale be a good gift idea?
Here’s what I’m thinking. Take some of my heavier weight drawing paper, draw some simplified outlines in thick lines of things these kids would like to color (castles and dragons or flowers or family portraits, etc), make a nice personalized cover for each, and of course leave some blank pages for the kids to show off their own artwork, then bind it all together. I was also thinking of making a personalized pencil box for each and filling it with inexpensive art supplies.
I’d only have to make 4 of these. Also, I thought it would be a universally fun gift (what kid doesn’t like to color?) which I need to find because my sister and BIL just (as in a week ago) adopted a 9 year old foster child and I don’t have any idea what he likes.
My family’s got an artistic streak, which I luckily inherited, so these wouldn’t be stick figures we’re talking about. I would also love to encourage creativity in my nieces and nephews.
So, good idea? Tacky? I’d be spending probably double what I would just buying a coloring book, pencil box, and crayons, but it would still be inexpensive. Do 10 year olds still like to color?
I think it’s a fantastic idea! Even better if you can manage a drawing of each kid in her/his own coloring book, so it’s “Daniel’s Adventures in Camelot!” or something. Not only will the kids get a kick out of it, but their moms will think it’s the most precious thing ever. That’d be a keepsake, for me.
Another vote for great idea (if you’ve got more artistic talent than I’ve got, which you must or you wouldn’t have had this idea, although my nieces are reasonably impressed with my drawing skills–grown-up fine motor control skills count for something).
Also another vote for a story and for personalizing your pictures. Make this book something distinctive, not something too similar to what you could buy at the store (coloring books not being particularly price-y so far as I know).
I think it’s a great idea (in fact, I may well be stealing it )
What might make it even more interesting - I know a number of kids that age who absolutely ADORE join-the-dots pictures. Perhaps you could add in some of those too for variety?
You mention encouraging creativity in the children. Why not include a few pages where you just provide a border and they do the rest. For example, an underwater scene with the caption : You have just discovered a new type of fish, what does it look like?
Or design a shield for the Camelot theme etc.
You could have a picture of the child and they draw design their ideal bedroom around themselves…
Just a thought!
Coloring books are a great idea, but … for 7 to 10 year olds? I’m thinking more like 3-6. My son is 10, and while I hope I’ve taught him enough manners that he would act gracious if given such a gift, I think that he’d be secretly a bit insulted by the idea that he’d still enjoy a coloring book at his age.
My youngest son was interested in art. When he was 12, I made/bought him an art box filled with different supplies so he could do whatever he liked. He loved it, he’s 28 and still owns it.
I think it is an awesome idea, but for sure go with some blank pages and some age appropriate ideas for each of them. Maybe the theme could be our new brother/sister!
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