10+ Best Coloring Books for 1-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce creativity to your little one? Coloring books for 1-year-olds are a fantastic starting point! Not only do they help in developing motor skills, but they also provide a fun, sensory experience that babies love. In this blog, we'll explore various options that are safe, engaging, and designed specifically for toddlers. Keep reading to discover the best coloring books that will keep your tiny artist busy and happy!

Fun Coloring Books for 1-Year-Olds

• My First Coloring Book by Cleo S. Baker
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: This coloring book is designed with simple patterns and large, easy-to-color shapes, making it ideal for little hands.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop motor skills and introduces young children to the joy of colors and art.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are just beginning to explore with crayons and markers.

• Hello, Animals! by Emma Goldhawk, illustrated by Ian Cunliffe
  • Genre(s): Coloring Book, Animals
  • Synopsis: This engaging book features illustrations of various animals with simple, bold outlines for easy coloring.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's not only fun but also educational, teaching kids about different animals while they color.
  • Perfect for: Young animal lovers and children who enjoy making their first marks.

• Color & Learn: Easy Shapes Coloring Book by Nancy Dyer
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Focused on basic geometric shapes, this book combines coloring fun with an introduction to forms and patterns.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances recognition skills and helps toddlers begin to differentiate shapes in a playful setting.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are starting to learn about different shapes and enjoy hands-on activities.

• First 100 Words Coloring Book by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Vocabulary, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book pairs simple illustrations with 100 essential words to help build a young child's vocabulary as they color.
  • Why we recommend this book: It supports language development by associating words with pictures, reinforcing memory through coloring.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to speak and expand their vocabulary.

• Baby's First Colors by Kimberly Faria
  • Genre(s): Color Theory, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Introduces basic colors through engaging coloring activities, using familiar objects and characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages color recognition and is a fun way for children to learn different colors.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are just learning to identify and name colors.

Educational Coloring Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Tiny Tot's Art Adventures by Lisa Joy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Creativity
  • Synopsis: This book provides simple, engaging art activities designed specifically for toddlers, including large, easy-to-color drawings.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, color recognition, artistic expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It's crafted to be the perfect introduction to art for toddlers, with activities that are not only fun but also educational.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are just starting to use crayons and explore their artistic side.

• Animal Friends to Color by Susan Jones
  • Genre(s): Animals, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Features a variety of animals in cartoon style, each with broad outlines to facilitate easy coloring.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, motor skills, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the joy of coloring with the excitement of discovering different animals, making it a delightful educational tool.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love animals and are developing their coloring skills.

• Shapes and Colors Discovery by Maria Wells
  • Genre(s): Educational, Shapes and Colors
  • Synopsis: Introduces basic shapes and colors through simple, clear illustrations suitable for coloring.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Shape and color identification, hand-eye coordination
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses coloring as a method to teach fundamental concepts in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn about shapes and colors through interactive activities.

• My Little Book of Numbers by Alex Turner
  • Genre(s): Numbers, Educational
  • Synopsis: This coloring book includes numbers from 1 to 10, each page featuring a corresponding number of objects to color.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Number recognition, counting skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps toddlers connect numbers with quantities in a visual and interactive manner.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are just starting to understand numbers and counting.

Challenging Coloring Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Creative Critters: Advanced Coloring for Tiny Hands by Laura Peterson
  • Genre(s): Art, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This coloring book features slightly complex animal illustrations with patterns and textures that challenge a young child's coloring skills.
  • Why this book is challenging: The detailed patterns and smaller spaces require more precise coloring, which is advanced for the typical motor skills of a 1-year-old.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters fine motor skill development and patience in young children as they navigate the intricate designs.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are ready for a step up in their coloring activities.

• Little Learner's Busy Book of Shapes and Patterns by Emily White
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Offers a variety of shape and pattern-themed coloring pages that introduce more complex geometric concepts.
  • Why this book is challenging: The introduction of complex shapes and overlapping patterns can be a cognitive challenge for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes cognitive development and spatial awareness through the exploration of advanced shapes and designs.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who show an early interest in puzzles and problem-solving.

• Jungle Journey: A Coloring Expedition by Mark Thompson
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Takes young colorists on a safari adventure, featuring jungle scenes that are rich in detail and wildlife.
  • Why this book is challenging: The dense jungle scenes require careful attention to color inside the lines, which is demanding for 1-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances concentration and provides a sense of accomplishment as toddlers complete each detailed page.
  • Perfect for: Little adventurers who enjoy animals and exploring new environments through art.

• Tiny Tots First Patterns Book by Clara Johnson
  • Genre(s): Patterns, Educational
  • Synopsis: Introduces young children to a variety of basic and intricate patterns, encouraging them to replicate or color them.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes more complex patterns that require toddlers to focus and develop their hand-eye coordination beyond simple scribbling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps in recognizing and understanding different patterns, which is a foundational skill in early math and reading.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to notice and appreciate patterns in their environment.

• Ocean Odyssey: Deep Sea Discoveries by Sarah Hughes
  • Genre(s): Ocean, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Features a series of underwater scenes with a variety of sea creatures, designed with intricate backgrounds and textures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The detailed backgrounds and smaller coloring areas are more complex than typical toddler coloring books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It nurtures an appreciation for marine life and encourages precision and patience in young children.
  • Perfect for: Young marine enthusiasts who are fascinated by the ocean and its inhabitants.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Coloring books aren't just about keeping your little one busy; they can be a fantastic tool for early literacy development too! Here are some exercises that can help 1-year-olds develop good reading habits while they enjoy their coloring books:

• Name and Point
  • What it is: Say the name of an object in the coloring book and point to it.
  • How it helps: Helps in word-object association and vocabulary building.
  • Tips: Keep the tone fun and engaging, and praise your child when they show interest or try to mimic you.

• Color Together
  • What it is: Sit with your child and color together, talking about what you are doing.
  • How it helps: Encourages bonding and introduces them to the concept of taking turns and sharing.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the colors and guide your hand with theirs to make them feel involved.

• Describe the Picture
  • What it is: Describe the scenes or objects in the coloring book before coloring them.
  • How it helps: Boosts imagination and helps develop listening skills.
  • Tips: Use simple, vivid language and ask your child simple questions about the picture to make it interactive.

• Count the Colors
  • What it is: Count the number of colors used on a page after your child finishes coloring.
  • How it helps: Introduces basic math concepts and color recognition.
  • Tips: Celebrate when they reach a new number or use a new color to make learning fun.

• Follow Simple Instructions
  • What it is: Give simple coloring instructions like "color the sun yellow."
  • How it helps: Helps your child understand and follow directions.
  • Tips: Start with one instruction at a time and gradually increase the complexity as they get older.

These simple yet effective exercises can turn coloring time into a learning adventure that not only entertains but also educates. By integrating these activities into your daily routine, you’re setting a strong foundation for good reading habits from a very young age. Happy coloring and learning!