National Coloring Book Day is an annual celebration dedicated to the art of coloring, promoting creativity, relaxation, and mindfulness through the simple act of filling pages with vibrant colors.
Quick Facts
When is it?: August 2nd annually
Tagged as: Art and creativity holiday
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalColoringBookDay
When was it founded?: May 2015
Who founded it?: Dover Publications
History of National Coloring Book Day
The holiday was established to celebrate the therapeutic and creative benefits of coloring. While coloring books date back to the 1880s, when McLoughlin Brothers published the first one in collaboration with Kate Greenaway, the official holiday emerged during the adult coloring book renaissance of the 2010s.
Timeline
- 1880s: First children’s coloring books appear
- 1961: First adult coloring book published (The Executive Coloring Book)
- 1970: Dover Publications releases “Antique Automobiles Coloring Book”
- 2012: Modern adult coloring book trend begins
- 2015: National Coloring Book Day established
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aug 2 | Saturday |
| 2026 | Aug 2 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Aug 2 | Monday |
| 2028 | Aug 2 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Aug 2 | Thursday |
Observed
The day is celebrated worldwide through coloring parties, social media sharing, and individual coloring sessions, though it originated in the United States.
Fun Facts About National Coloring Book Day
- Early coloring books were actually “painting books” for watercolors
- Adult coloring book sales jumped from 1 million to 12 million between 2014-2015
- Coloring has proven therapeutic benefits for stress reduction
- The first crayons weren’t produced until 1902 by Crayola
Quiz
- When was the first coloring book published?
- Who established National Coloring Book Day?
- What year did the modern adult coloring trend begin?
(Answers: 1880s, Dover Publications, 2012)
FAQs
- Is it only for children? No, it’s for all ages
- Do I need special supplies? Any coloring tools work
- Can I celebrate virtually? Yes, through digital coloring apps
Importance of National Coloring Book Day
This holiday promotes mental wellness, creativity, and stress relief while bringing people together through a shared artistic activity.
Related
- World Art Day
- National Crayon Day
- International Creativity Month
- National Craft Month
- National Art Day