Colouring Pages & Books Price Comparison
Compare 146 colouring pages & books from Dover, Ravensburger, Crayola and more — find the best price from leading UK retailers.
Colouring Pages & Books price comparison UK
Colouring books occupy a surprisingly wide price spectrum — from pocket-money paperbacks at 5 £ to elaborate paint-by-number kits pushing well beyond 5 £. What's striking when you look across the 146 products in this category is just how much the market splits between two very different audiences: young children taking their first creative steps, and adults seeking a mindful, meditative hobby. The brands reflect that divide clearly. Galt Toys and SES Creative dominate the toddler and early-years end, with chunky formats and washable water-based systems designed as much for parents' sanity as children's enjoyment. Dover Publications, meanwhile, has built an enormous catalogue of adult colouring books — intricate florals, birds, cottagecore scenes — at prices that rarely stretch beyond the 5 £ mark.
Ravensburger brings its board-game pedigree to colour-by-numbers kits, which sit at a noticeably higher average price than straightforward colouring books. That premium is partly justified by the included materials and the more structured, goal-oriented experience — but it's worth comparing carefully, as prices vary considerably between retailers. Tiger Tribe and Depesche fill the middle ground with themed books aimed at the 5–10 age bracket, often bundling stickers or hidden-picture elements to extend the activity beyond a single sitting. If you're shopping for a child, the theme matters as much as anything else: a book featuring the wrong characters will gather dust regardless of its paper quality.
Paper weight is the detail most buyers overlook until it's too late. Budget books often use 80 GSM stock, which bleeds badly with felt-tip markers — a frustrating discovery when you've already handed the book to an enthusiastic six-year-old. For marker or watercolour use, look for 120 GSM or above. The SES Creative water-based range sidesteps this problem entirely with its proprietary colouring-mat system, which is genuinely reusable and mess-resistant. For adults investing in a Dover or Ravensburger set, the paper quality is generally more reliable, though it still pays to check before buying.
Our comparison covers products available from Amazon.co.uk, Argos, John Lewis and specialist toy retailers, so prices can shift noticeably between sources. Seasonal sales — particularly around Christmas and the January sales — regularly bring Ravensburger and Crayola sets down by 20–30%. If you're not in a rush, setting a price alert on MagicPrices is a straightforward way to catch those drops. For complementary supplies, our Art & Craft Paints and Pastels categories are worth browsing alongside — as is our Washable Finger Paints section for the youngest artists in the family.
How to Choose the Right Colouring Book
With prices ranging from 5 £ to well over 5 £, the gap between a throwaway colouring book and a proper creative kit is enormous. The right choice depends almost entirely on who's using it and what they're colouring with — get those two things right and everything else falls into place.
Age suitability and design complexity
This is the single most important factor, and it's easy to get wrong. Toddlers (18 months to 3 years) need very large, bold outlines — line thickness of 3–5mm and simple shapes with generous spaces to fill. Buying an intricate adult mandala book for a five-year-old will end in tears. Conversely, a chunky toddler book handed to a ten-year-old will be dismissed within minutes. Galt Toys and SES Creative are reliable for the under-5s; Dover Publications' Creative Haven range is genuinely designed for adults and older teens. When in doubt, err on the side of slightly simpler — a child who finishes pages feels accomplished, whilst one who can't stay within the lines gets frustrated.
Paper weight and medium compatibility
The most overlooked spec on any colouring book. Standard budget books use 80 GSM paper — fine for crayons or coloured pencils, but felt-tip markers will bleed straight through to the next page. If your child uses markers (and most do), look for 100–120 GSM minimum. For watercolour or water-based systems like SES Creative's colouring mats, you need specialist paper that won't warp or tear when wet. Adult colouring books from Dover tend to use better stock than children's books at the same price point, which is worth bearing in mind. Always check the product description for GSM if it matters to you.
Reusable vs. single-use format
For younger children especially, reusable water-based systems offer excellent long-term value. SES Creative's 'colouring with water' range uses pages that reveal colour when painted with a water pen, then reset when dry — genuinely reusable and virtually mess-free. The upfront cost is slightly higher than a standard book, but the cost-per-use is far lower. Single-use books are perfectly fine for older children and adults, but for a toddler who'll want to repeat the same activity daily, a reusable format is worth the investment.
Included accessories and total cost of ownership
Some products are book-only; others bundle in crayons, water pens, or markers. A Ravensburger colour-by-numbers kit typically includes paints and brushes — which explains the higher price tag and makes direct comparison with a bare Dover paperback misleading. Before concluding that one product is expensive, check what's included. A kit at 5 £ that includes all materials may represent better value than a book at 5 £ that requires a separate trip to buy pencils. Multi-activity formats (like SES Creative's 3-in-1 fingerpainting, colouring and sticking) are particularly good value for younger children.
Page count, binding, and portability
A 32-page book will last a dedicated colourer a single afternoon. For regular use, aim for 48 pages minimum — Dover's Creative Haven titles typically offer 80+ pages, which is genuinely good value at their price point. Binding matters too: spiral-bound books lie flat and allow pages to be removed cleanly for display, which children love. Saddle-stitched paperbacks are cheaper but pages can tear at the spine with heavy use. A5 pocket formats are handy for travel and restaurants; A4 is the standard for home use. A3 formats exist but are niche — mainly for easel use.
Theme and long-term engagement
A colouring book that doesn't get opened is worthless regardless of its paper quality. For children, matching the theme to current obsessions (horses, unicorns, fantasy animals) dramatically increases engagement. For adults, the mindfulness colouring market has produced some genuinely beautiful books — floral alphabets, nature scenes, cottagecore imagery — that hold attention far better than generic mandala packs. Depesche's licensed character books are reliable crowd-pleasers for the 5–10 age group, whilst Dover's thematic range (birds, horses, botanical) appeals to adults with specific interests. Don't underestimate the power of a good theme.
- Pocket-money picks (From 5 £ to 5 £) : Mostly slim paperback colouring books — Dover Publications titles dominate here, offering surprisingly good illustration quality for the price. Galt Toys also appears at this level with basic children's formats. Paper quality is typically 80 GSM, so stick to crayons or pencils. Good for trying out a theme before committing to a larger set, or for stocking up on travel activities. Don't expect longevity.
- The sweet spot (From 5 £ to 5 £) : This is where the best everyday value sits. SES Creative's water-based colouring books, Depesche character books, and mid-range Dover titles all land here. You get better paper, more pages, and often some form of added feature (hidden animals, stickers, reusable pages). Crayola sets also appear in this range. A solid choice for regular gifting or home use without overthinking it.
- Feature-rich and themed (From 5 £ to 5 £) : Tiger Tribe's activity sets, SES Creative multi-activity kits, and entry-level Ravensburger colour-by-numbers kits sit here. Expect bundled accessories, better binding, and more substantial page counts. MindWare's more elaborate colouring sets also appear at this level. Good for birthdays and Christmas gifts where you want something that feels substantial.
- Premium kits (Over 5 £) : Dominated by Ravensburger's larger colour-by-numbers kits and Schipper's paint-by-numbers sets — the latter averaging over £60. These are proper creative projects rather than casual colouring books, often including canvas, paints, and brushes. Schipper in particular has a strong reputation for quality. Worth the investment for a dedicated hobbyist; overkill for a child who might lose interest after one session.
Top products
- SES Creative My First Colouring with water (SES Creative) : The most widely available product in this category and a genuine standout for toddlers — the reusable water-based system is mess-free and endlessly repeatable. Not suitable for older children who want to keep their finished artwork.
- Ravensburger 23512 colouring pages/book Color by numbers kit (Ravensburger) : Ravensburger's entry-level colour-by-numbers kit at a surprisingly accessible price — good for a first introduction to the format. The structured approach suits children who find blank colouring books overwhelming, though creative freedom is limited by design.
- Dover Publications Creative Haven Fanciful Birds Coloring Book (Dover Publications) : Excellent value for adult colourists who use pencils — intricate bird illustrations, generous page count, and a price that's hard to argue with. The paper weight won't handle markers well, so manage expectations on that front.
- SES Creative My First - 3 in 1 Fingerpainting, colouring and sticking shapes (SES Creative) : The best multi-activity option for young children in this category — three activities in one kit justifies the higher price point and keeps engagement going longer than a standard colouring book. Messy by nature, so factor in the fingerpainting element before gifting.
- Dover Publications Simple Pleasures Coloring Book: The Cottagecore Lifestyle (Dover Publications) : A well-timed theme that taps into genuine adult interest — the cottagecore aesthetic translates beautifully to colouring. Typical Dover quality: strong illustrations, thin-ish paper. One of the more distinctive adult colouring books in the range.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a colouring book and a paint-by-numbers kit?
A colouring book provides outlined illustrations for the user to fill in freely using their choice of medium — crayons, pencils, or markers. A paint-by-numbers kit assigns specific numbered zones to specific colours, guiding the user to recreate a finished image with paints and brushes. Ravensburger and Schipper specialise in the latter, which is a more structured and typically more expensive activity. Paint-by-numbers kits are better suited to older children and adults seeking a goal-oriented project; colouring books offer more creative freedom and suit a wider age range.
Which colouring books are genuinely reusable — and are they worth it for young children?
SES Creative's 'colouring with water' range is the standout reusable option in this category — pages reveal colour when painted with a water pen, then reset as they dry, making them genuinely repeatable. For toddlers and young children who want to do the same activity over and over, they're absolutely worth the slightly higher upfront cost. Standard colouring books are single-use by nature, so factor in replacement costs if you're buying for a child who colours daily.
What paper weight should I look for if my child uses felt-tip markers?
Look for at least 100 GSM — ideally 120 GSM — to prevent marker bleed-through. Most budget colouring books use 80 GSM paper, which is fine for crayons and coloured pencils but will bleed badly with felt-tips, ruining the page underneath. If the product listing doesn't specify GSM, that's usually a sign the paper is on the thinner side. Dover Publications' adult-oriented titles tend to use better stock than children's books at equivalent prices.
Are cheap colouring books from Dover Publications actually good quality?
Yes — Dover's Creative Haven range is genuinely good value despite its low price point. The illustration quality is high, page counts are generous (typically 80+ pages), and the themes are well-chosen. The trade-off is paper weight: Dover books are designed primarily for coloured pencils rather than markers. For adult colouring enthusiasts who use pencils, they're hard to beat at the price. For children who prefer felt-tips, the thinner paper is a limitation worth knowing about.
What age are Ravensburger colour-by-numbers kits suitable for?
Most Ravensburger colour-by-numbers kits are recommended for ages 7 and above, though some simpler sets are suitable from age 5. The numbered zone system requires a degree of patience and fine motor control that younger children typically lack. For under-7s, SES Creative and Galt Toys offer more developmentally appropriate formats. Ravensburger's kits are particularly popular with the 8–12 age group and make strong birthday gifts — but check the specific product's age recommendation, as complexity varies considerably across the range.
Should I avoid buying colouring books that don't specify the paper GSM?
Not necessarily, but treat it as a warning sign if you're planning to use markers or watercolours. Budget books that omit GSM information almost always use 80 GSM stock — adequate for pencils, problematic for anything wetter. If the listing mentions 'marker-friendly' or 'bleed-resistant', that's a good indicator of heavier paper. For children's books where crayons are the primary medium, unspecified paper weight is less of a concern. For adult colouring books where you're investing in quality pencils or watercolours, it's worth seeking out a product that's explicit about its paper specification.
Which brands are best for colouring books as gifts for children in 2026?
For toddlers and under-5s, SES Creative and Galt Toys are the most reliable choices — their formats are age-appropriate, washable, and often reusable. For the 5–10 age group, Depesche's licensed character books and Tiger Tribe's activity sets are consistently well-received. Crayola remains a trusted name for bundled sets that include colouring implements. For older children and teens with a specific interest (horses, birds, fantasy), Dover Publications offers excellent value. Ravensburger is the go-to for colour-by-numbers kits as a more substantial gift.