5 Cooler Alternatives to the Adult Coloring Book Craze
Adult coloring books are no longer a quirky trend, they’re a legit mainstream pastime. Right now, two of Amazon’s top 10 best-selling books are of the adult coloring variety, beating out back-to-school bestseller To Kill A Mockingbird.
But what are the alternatives for those of us who don’t like the smell of crayons or can’t stay inside the lines? Surely there are other ways to channel your inner second grader.
The appeal of adult coloring books is twofold. First off, adults are loving the chance to get away from their screens and engage some creative muscles. Plus, many claim that sitting down with some crayons and a coloring book helps them manage their anxieties. The research is mixed on this, but according to psychologist Guy Winch, coloring books are “essentially a form of occupational therapy — using arts and crafts to bind anxiety, calm the mind, and zone out from the stresses of life.”
Surely there are alternatives to the adult coloring book craze that will allow us “to do something analog and creative, at a time when we’re all so overwhelmed by screens and the Internet,” as Winch says.
If colored pencils aren’t for you and you’re willing to think outside the box a little, we think you’ll enjoy these five coloring alternatives that’ll delight the child in you and soothe your outer grownup.
