Our Favorite Coloring Books for Kids Ages 8–12
I Am Confident, Brave & Beautiful: A Coloring Book for Girls
More than just a coloring book, I Am Confident, Brave & Beautiful encourages girls to recognize all the qualities that make them amazing.
The pages celebrate bravery, creativity, strength, intelligence, kindness, curiosity, and confidence rather than focusing on appearance. For older kids navigating new experiences and growing independence, the positive messages provide meaningful reminders of everything they're capable of.
Great for: Girls who love coloring, positive affirmations, creative activities, and confidence-building.
I Am Strong:
A Coloring Book for Girls
I Am Strong celebrates girls who move, compete, play, and challenge themselves through sports.
Featuring girls participating in a variety of athletic activities, this coloring book encourages kids to think about strength as something they can build, both physically and mentally.
Great for: Athletes, sports-loving kids, active girls, and anyone who could use an extra reminder of just how strong they are.
I Am Creative:
A Coloring Book for Girls
Creativity comes in all kinds of forms. I Am Creative introduces girls to 19 different creative pursuits, from painting and photography to woodworking, architecture, dance, sewing, music, and more.
As girls color, they can discover new ways to express themselves and explore creative interests they may never have considered before.
Great for: Artists, makers, musicians, doodlers, and kids who love exploring new creative hobbies.
I Can Believe In Me:
A Draw The Lines Book
Older kids are ready to do more than simply color inside the lines, so why not let them draw the lines themselves?
I Can Believe In Me combines empowering affirmations with open-ended drawing activities that give kids the freedom to create their own artwork. Prompts encourage girls to celebrate their successes, step outside their comfort zones, believe in themselves, and explore their creativity.
Great for: Kids who love drawing, doodling, journaling, open-ended art, and putting their own ideas on the page.
Compare the Best Coloring Books for Kids
Book Title
Core Theme
Best For
Key Features
I Am Confident, Brave & Beautiful
Self-esteem, bravery, curiosity
Girls who enjoy coloring and positive messages
Empowering illustrations and messages focused on inner qualities
I Am Strong
Sports, strength & resilience
Athletes and sports lovers
Celebrates girls in sports, active lifestyles, and physical confidence
I Am Creative
Creativity & artistic exploration
Artists, makers and creative kids
Introduces 19 different forms of creativity and artistic expression
I Can Believe In Me: A Draw The Lines Book
Confidence & open-ended creativity
Older kids who enjoy drawing and doodling
Combines affirmations with open-ended drawing activities
What Makes a Good Coloring Book for Kids Ages 8–12?
When choosing coloring books for kids ages 8–12, look for books that offer enough detail and creative freedom to keep older children interested.
At this age, kids are developing their own interests and personal style, so coloring books centered around topics they genuinely enjoy, such as sports, art, animals, fashion, nature, or inspirational themes, can be especially engaging.
Open-ended drawing activities can also give older kids more creative control than traditional coloring pages.
Most importantly, look for coloring books that feel age-appropriate and make kids genuinely excited to put down the screen and create.
Why Are Hopscotch Girls Books Recommended for Kids Ages 8–12?
Hopscotch Girls creates coloring and activity books designed to show girls that they can be strong, smart, creative, adventurous, athletic, curious, and uniquely themselves.
Instead of focusing primarily on appearance, our books celebrate girls for their interests, abilities, character, and ideas. That makes them a meaningful choice for parents looking for coloring books that combine creativity with positive, confidence-building messages.
What are others saying about Hopscotch Girls?
Amazing book for coloring and building self-esteem!
Such a cute book! I'm a dad that loves his little girl and wants her to know how amazing she is!
She colors this book, we read it together and we color it together. It has great little pictures that are relevant to the sayings on each page.Very positive book, more coloring books should be like this.
—J. Griffith
Good for coloring, drawing, and imagining
This is a fun book for kids who like to color and draw. They can color a scene and then read the prompt and draw themselves into the scenario. This is more than just an average coloring book and helpful for kids who need some inspiration. I also appreciate that it allows a space for girls to imagine themselves in roles that are less traditionally female.
—J.R.
Perfect for supporting a healthy sense of
self-worth
This is perfect for helping elementary school children with positive affirmations, to support building a healthy sense of self-worth. Children hear all the time “you’re so cute!”, but do they hear you are brave, you are creative, or you are resourceful? These are great reminders to our children that they are a gift for all the qualities they are on the inside.
—Tiffany S.
FAQ
What are the best coloring books for kids ages 8–12?
The best coloring books for kids ages 8–12 combine age-appropriate artwork with subjects older kids actually find interesting. Look for books featuring creative challenges, detailed illustrations, sports, art, inspirational themes, or open-ended drawing opportunities. Hopscotch Girls books add positive messages about confidence, creativity, strength, and self-expression.
Are 10- and 11-year-olds too old for coloring books?
Not at all. Coloring can be a relaxing, screen-free creative activity for older kids and tweens. The key is choosing coloring books with artwork, themes, and activities that feel appropriate for their age rather than books designed specifically for preschoolers or beginning colorers.
What coloring books are good for tween girls?
Tween girls may especially enjoy coloring books that allow for more creativity and self-expression. I Can Believe In Me combines open-ended drawing with empowering affirmations, while I Am Creative explores different forms of artistic expression. Kids who enjoy sports may prefer I Am Strong.
What are the benefits of coloring for older kids?
Coloring gives older kids an opportunity to slow down, be creative, and enjoy an activity away from screens. Drawing and open-ended art activities can also encourage imagination and self-expression.
Are Hopscotch Girls coloring books only for girls?
Hopscotch Girls books are intentionally designed to provide positive female representation, but many of the themes, including creativity, bravery, sports, confidence, and art, can be enjoyed by kids of all genders.