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National Coloring Day

Get creative this National Coloring Day! Dive into a world of colors and creativity - pick up your favorite coloring book today!

Monday

September 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATESeptember 14

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYHobbies

SUBCATEGORYArts & Crafts

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

It's time to have some fun and get creative on National Coloring Day, celebrated each year on September 14. This day was created in 2005 by the writers of ColorIt! magazine to promote the therapeutic benefits of coloring for people of all ages. Coloring has been shown to reduce stress, enhance focus, and even boost creativity - so this is a great day to pick up your favorite coloring book or just grab some crayons and markers!

TIMELINE

National Coloring Day Timeline

Origins of Modern Crayons

This period saw the creation of the first modern crayons, a favorite tool for coloring, originally made from pigmented wax for writing on wood and stone.

First Box of Crayola Crayons

Binney & Smith, a company later known as Crayola, introduced the first box of eight crayons, changing the course of coloring for children everywhere.

Popular Coloring Books

The 1960s saw a boom in popularity for coloring books, turning them into a beloved temporary pastime for children across the globe.

Inception of National Coloring Day

National Coloring Day was created in 2005 by the writers of ColorIt! magazine, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of coloring.

Coloring for Adults

The trend of adult coloring books took off, emphasizing relaxation and stress relief, bringing another demographic into the coloring world.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Coloring Day

Organize a coloring contest

Gather up some friends and organize a coloring contest. Set up different categories for the competition and have each participant submit their work on National Coloring Day.

CREATE

Create an art show

Find a local gallery to host your creations and invite friends, family, and other members of the community to come admire your artwork. If you don't want to be in the spotlight you can also anonymously donate your work to any interested organizations or charities.

EXPLORE

Explore adult coloring books

Adult coloring books are incredibly popular these days and are great for relaxation and mindfulness. Spend some time flipping through the pages and see what inspires you.

THROW

Throw a color themed party

Invite your friends over for a colorful celebration! Make sure everyone has plenty of supplies and snacks, then sit back and watch as everyone creates their own masterpieces.

MAKE

Make personalized cards

Take some time to make some unique cards for your friends or family! You can make them with colored pencils, markers, crayons—whatever materials you have lying around.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Coloring Day

Coloring can be enjoyed by anyone

Whether you're a kid or an adult, coloring can be enjoyed by people of all ages. From simple doodles to intricate designs, there are endless possibilities when it comes to coloring. So don't be afraid to grab some crayons or markers and start expressing yourself in color!

Coloring is relaxing

Coloring can be an incredibly soothing and calming activity. It's a great way to de-stress after a long day, and focus your mind on creating something beautiful. Plus, it's the perfect chance to unplug from technology and reset your mind!

Coloring helps with creativity

Coloring can help stimulate creative thinking. By being able to choose your colors and create art out of a blank canvas, you can really let your imagination run wild. It's also a great exercise in problem solving - different colors may require different shapes or techniques to get the desired results.

Related holidays

SUN

Aug 2026

Hobbies

National Coloring Book Day

Color your way to happiness this National Coloring Book Day - grab your favorite coloring book and some crayons and let the creative fun begin!

National Crayon Day

A fun observance on March 31 celebrating crayons, coloring, childhood creativity, and the history of this beloved art tool.

National Doodle Day

Get creative and join in on National Doodle Day - unleash your inner artist with doodles, sketches, drawings, and more!

Crayola Crayon Day

A fun observance on March 31 celebrating Crayola crayons, creativity, coloring, and childhood art, honoring the crayons invented by Binney and Smith in 1903.

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