by Kimberly Smith

Created on: January 27, 2009

There is nothing like having a few bored kids on a rainy day driving you a little nuts with nothing to do. I have found that you can use some coloring websites for hours of entertainment and enjoyment, with the added benefit of helping your kids express their artistic abilities. I will give several sites I have used in the past that offer coloring and other options such as games and animation along with the coloring.

I hope these are helpful to the moms out there with kids looking for something a little different to do. Coloring online puts a different spin on the same old book and crayon routine. The sites also give the user the option of printing the "masterpiece" once it's completed.

www.uptoten.com/kids/coloringpage-home.htm l This site offers free coloring pages and coloring games. A new game is added every month. There are a variety of coloring pages to chose from and activities so the kids can make things from their coloring pages. All the coloring pages are printable.

www.familyfun.go.com/printables/coloring-p ages These are printable coloring pages and activities for the kids to enjoy. There is a variety of coloring themes from circus, pirates, beach and princesses. Lots of fun and something for girls and boys. This site is a print to color only so no coloring online is available at this site.

www.pbskids.org/coloring This site has games, coloring books, coloring pages and lots of activities. Some of the pages you can color online and others you must print them out first then color them the old fashioned way with crayons and color pencils. There are a larger variety of printable pages including PBS characters like, Jay Jay, Author and DW to chose from. Kids will enjoy all the activities at this site and it is recommended by lots of parents and educators.

www.nickjr.com/printables/all-shows/colori ng-pages/all-ages/index.jhtml These are great pages for characters your kids know and love such as, Blue's Clues, Dora, Max & Ruby and lots more. The site has the pages divided by show and by age group so they are easy to find. Nothing makes a rainy day seem brighter than coloring a picture of your favorite character.

www.disney.go.com/magicartist/coloring Here your child can print and color any of their favorite Disney characters. There is something everyone will love at this site, from Winnie the Pooh, Nemo, Mickey to Snow White, they're all available to printout and color. Kids will really enjoy these pages, and some can be saved for wall hangings in a special place in the child's room.

So when there's not much to do on a rainy afternoon, or a dull Sunday, just jump online and visit these sites for a crafty way to spend the afternoon. You may find that you enjoy coloring along with your kids. I sure do!

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