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A coloring party is a simple idea: friends, a table, coloring pages and something good to drink. It works for a quiet evening with a few friends, a birthday, a baby shower, a holiday get-together or a family afternoon. Here's how to plan one, from the shopping list to the last page.
Plan the basics
Pick the time. For adults, a weekend evening works well; for families, a weekend afternoon. Two to three hours is enough time to finish a page or two without anyone getting restless.
Send invitations. Send them two to three weeks ahead. A fun touch is an invitation that guests can color in themselves: print a small coloring page with the party details on the back.
Choose the space. You need table space more than anything: about the width of a sheet of paper plus elbow room per person, and enough light to see colors clearly. A kitchen or dining table is fine for small groups. For larger ones, use folding tables or book a community room. If you're outside, have an indoor backup.
Shopping list
For a party of 8, plan on:
- Pages: 3 to 4 per guest, so everyone can choose. Print them on heavyweight paper; it feels nicer than copy paper and markers won't bleed through. Our printing guide covers settings.
- Colored pencils: one large set for every 2 to 3 guests. A 72-color set gives everyone plenty of choice; a bulk pack of Crayola pencils is cheap and fine for kids.
- Something different to try: a set of gel pens, soft-core artist pencils for smooth blending, or alcohol markers. Trying a new medium gets people talking.
- A sharpener: an electric sharpener on a side table saves a queue for a hand sharpener.
- Extras: scrap paper for testing colors, a few clipboards for anyone on the sofa, and folders so guests can carry their pages home flat.
Guests can also bring their own favorite tools. It's a good way to try each other's pencils.
For more on pencils, markers and gel pens, see Explore Top Coloring Tools.
Choosing pages for your guests
Have a mix, so everyone finds something that suits them.
- Free pages to start: our free coloring pages are a no-cost way to stock the table.
- For mixed groups and beginners: bold and easy pages have thick lines and big spaces, so they're relaxing and quick to finish while chatting.
- For experienced colorists: detailed grayscale pages give them something to get absorbed in.
- For kids: coloring pages for kids.
- For a holiday party: match the season, such as Halloween, Christmas or Valentine's Day pages.
If you host often, the Entire Shop Bundle gives you every design in the store to print as many times as you like.
Set the mood
Decorations. Pick a color scheme and run with it: paper lanterns, a tablecloth, and finished coloring pages taped up as bunting. Displaying colored pages also gives guests ideas.
Lighting. Good light makes coloring much easier. Daylight is best. In the evening, use bright overhead light over the table, and save soft string lights for around the room. Dim, warm light makes colors hard to judge.
Music. Something soft in the background, such as acoustic, jazz or classical, keeps the mood relaxed without drowning out conversation.
Themes
A theme ties the pages, decorations, music and snacks together. A few ideas:
- Garden party: flower pages, fresh flowers on the table, lemonade.
- Under the sea: ocean pages, blue and green decorations, ocean sounds.
- Fantasy night: fantasy pages, candles, a playlist of film soundtracks.
- Seasonal: Halloween pages and pumpkin treats, or Christmas pages and hot chocolate.
Activities
- Group mural: tape a large page (or several pages printed as a poster) to the wall and have everyone color a piece.
- Same page challenge: give everyone the same page and compare how differently it turns out.
- Mystery page: cover most of a page and reveal it bit by bit as people color.
- Show and tell: at the end, everyone shares their favorite page.
Food, drinks and comfort
Choose snacks that won't leave greasy fingerprints: fruit skewers, veggies, small sandwiches, cookies. Put drinks on a separate side table, away from the pages. Coffee, tea and infused water work for any party; a signature cocktail suits an adult evening, with a non-alcoholic option too.
Make sure chairs are comfortable for a couple of hours, add smaller chairs if kids are coming, and check everyone can get to the table easily. In a bigger space, set up a quiet corner for people who want to focus and a chattier table for the rest.
Make it last
Set up a photo spot with the finished pages, and suggest a hashtag so guests can find each other's posts. An instant camera gives everyone a print to take home.
For party favors, give each guest a mini set of colored pencils and a few extra printed pages tied with ribbon. Or scan the pages colored at the party and make a group booklet for everyone.
Ready to plan yours? Start with our free coloring pages, then browse all adult coloring pages to fill out the table.
Related: 5 Innovative Ways to Use Your Finished Coloring Pages