Adult Coloring Book Ideas


If no one warned you that coloring was addictive, consider this your warning. The many benefits of adult coloring will lead to you always wanting more, even when your wallet is opposed to the idea. This is why we have put together a list of ideas and recommendations for finding budget-friendly coloring book options.

You can find budget-friendly coloring books at yard sales, online marketplaces, clearance aisles, and dollar stores. The easiest way to find adult coloring books that fit into your budget is by shopping online, as this is where you will find the widest variety of coloring books at a lower cost. Here are 12 budget-friendly adult coloring book ideas:

Below we explain how you can find budget-friendly coloring books at each of these locations, and we have included a list of ideas that can get you started shopping online. Read on to learn how you can find coloring books to fit your budget.

Where to Find Budget-Friendly Adult Coloring Books

Before we get into our picks for budget-friendly coloring books, there are a few places that you can regularly check to find great deals to get more coloring books that fit your budget.

Yard Sales

While the coloring books you find at yard sales may have some use, most of the time, this means only a page or two was colored. This accounts for less than about 3% of the book, but you can usually find them discounted by more than 90%. This is an absolute steal, and it is worth dropping in any time you see a box of books at a yard sale.

Online Marketplaces

You can use the alerts feature on online marketplaces to notify you anytime someone posts coloring books for sale. Online marketplaces give you a greater range of shopping because you can also have the books shipped to you.

Beyond this, it takes a lot of the work away from you. Instead of having to seek out these deals, they will come to you. You can even narrow down your alerts to fit in a certain price range, ensuring that you stick to your budget.

Clearance Aisles

Check for discounted coloring books in the clearance aisles at these stores:

    • Craft stores
    • Hobby stores
    • Art supply stores
    • Superstores
    • Book stores

The clearance books are usually just there to clear the shelf, not even because they are outdated (though you may find a few of those too). You can find some fantastic deals by doing this regularly, but make sure you are buying the coloring book because you want it, not because it is discounted.

Dollar Stores

If you associate dollar stores with kitschy coloring books, you are in for a surprise. Many dollar stores across the nation have trendy adult coloring books on their shelf, and every single one is kind to your budget.

If your local dollar store is true to its $1 claim, you will know exactly how much you are paying for the coloring books you choose. You can stock up at a fraction of what you would spend at a superstore, even in the clearance section.

Check out other recommendations HERE.

12 Budget-Friendly Options

If all else fails, turning to the internet will ensure you have a variety of coloring books to sift through while keeping costs low. These are just a few of our favorite books that will not break your budget. Each option is at least less than $10, with most options sticking closer to the $5 mark. They are well-reviewed, so you can ensure that you are getting value with that budget-friendly price. 

Relax with Mandalas

Price: $6

Mandalas and adult coloring go hand in hand. Their repetition enhances the therapeutic benefits of coloring, and they also look amazing when you are done. This book features 25 designs for you to color and enjoy.

Color Happy

Price: $7

If you are looking for a cheaper coloring book that boosts inspiration, this one is for you. There are over forty designs that feature bright words you can color and post where you will need them most. Even better, “Color Happy” has each design printed single-sided and heavier-weight paper, making this choice even more valuable.

Angela Porter’s Tropical Rainforest

Price: $7

This coloring book doubles as a hidden picture puzzle. It was originally designed for tweens, but the artwork appeals to coloring enthusiasts of all ages. There are 44 designs for you to color, much more than most coloring books include. Each page is perforated, making it easy to tear these off and hang them about where you might need a pop of color.

Adult Reverie IV

Price: $7

This fantasy-style adult coloring book is the fourth in a series, and it features 24 original illustrations centered around royalty and dreams. The ethereal pieces include beautiful women, exotic animals, and extravagant flowers, often all at once to create a fantastical piece of art that is a joy to color.

Hello, My Name is Hot Mess

Price: $9

The book says its intended audience is those who are bad at adulting, but at this point, we all fall a bit short. This means you are sure to find something to relate to in the 30 designs of the book, especially when it revolves around things like the drama and angst that exist in simple day-to-day life.

Entangled Landscapes

Price: $6

If you are in the market for a challenge, Entangled Landscapes has 31 different designs that feature landscapes straight from dreams. True to the name, the illustrations resemble fantasy on top of fantasy, and they are sure to provide hours of coloring in peace. This means that you get much more time for a much smaller price.

Main Street Coloring Book

Price: $6

This coloring book is chock full of hometown intimacy, and it has 31 designs such as:

    • A bakery
    • A bookstore
    • An ice cream parlor

Even if you do not have the best relationship with your hometown, this gives you a nostalgic feeling of belonging while you color away.

Animals Mandalas

Price: $7

Yes, this is another mandala coloring book, but we promise this one is different. Animal Mandalas has a beautiful collection of mandalas that feature animals such as tigers and elephants. Because of the intricacy of the designs, you will get hours of coloring with the book, and it works well with coloring enthusiasts of all experience levels.

Adult Coloring Book

Price: $6

Though it is titled Adult Coloring Book, the designs in the book are specifically focused on stress-relieving animal designs. This coloring book has the most designs of any we have mentioned so far, with 60 different illustrations for you to color and embrace. There is a balanced range of complexity that ensures this book will work well with anyone.

Caution Mood Swing in Progress

Price: $7

If you are looking for a more laid-back coloring book that also boasts humorous designs, you have found it. The book has 40 funny quotes laid on top of 40 geometric patterns, meaning you can focus on either aspect of the illustration as needed. The pages are single-sided, making them great for coloring with markers or tearing out and displaying.

Abnormality

Price: $5

This is one of the cheapest books on the list, but the designs in the book are executed perfectly. Abnormality is a coloring book for horror enthusiasts, featuring a unique set of illustrations that focus on material like zombies, possessed dolls, abnormal creatures, and many other things that go bump in the night.

Disney Dreams Collection Thomas Kinkade Studios

Price: $7

While this is a go-to for Disney enthusiasts, even those who do not care for the animated classics will appreciate the beauty. The book has 63 designs for you to color based on the artwork of Thomas Kinkade. This means you can color right alongside the famous Disney artwork sitting right on the opposite page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get coloring books for free?

You can find plenty of coloring pages for free by searching online, but they may only be parts of a complete book. If there is a book that you like but cannot afford to purchase yet, see if the publisher offers a free page for you to test out. 

How can I make adult coloring books cheaper?

If you have your eye on a specific coloring book, but it is out of your price range, do a quick online search to see if there is a discount for it anywhere. You can also sign up for loyalty programs at places like bookstores. These are usually free and offer a discount for signing up that you can use to bring down your coloring book price.

Is it a good idea to create a tight budget for adult coloring books?

Because coloring books are consumable, you should expect to buy them regularly, making them part of a regular budget. Instead of budgeting strictly for coloring books, you might want to budget for your hobbies or art supplies.

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Shawn C

Hi! I’m Shawn and I Love Coloring and Art and the people in it! I created this website as a resource to help those who are considering getting into adult coloring. My website is your one-stop destination for all the inspired instruction and resources you need to start and grow your adult coloring hobby. From geometric to floral to zen doodles and from time to time even mandala’s when I am in the mood. I have researched and gathered the information to help you in your goal of starting your adult coloring hobby.

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