Color-In Book vs Colored Pencils: Which Comes First?
By The Natural Baby Company | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Comparisons
Compare a color-in book for kids and double-sided colored pencils to decide which to buy first, based on how your child likes to create.
Quick answer
Start with a color-in book if your child needs a low-pressure activity with a clear finish line; start with double-sided colored pencils if they already draw freely and need more color range. If you can buy only one first, choose the format that matches how they currently play.
The real trade-off: guided pages vs. open-ended color
A color-in book gives structure: each page suggests what to color and when the activity is done. That can reduce decision fatigue for kids who freeze in front of a blank page, but it also limits what they can create once the pages are filled.
Double-sided colored pencils give range: more colors in one pencil means less hunting for the right shade, and the set works on any paper. The trade-off is that a child who wants guidance may not know where to start without a prompt.
When the book should come first
Choose the book first when coloring is a sit-down activity you want to hand over with minimal setup. A themed book also gives you a natural conversation starter and a defined project to finish, which helps kids who like clear goals.
The limitation is paper: once the pages are used, the activity ends unless you buy another book. If your child colors daily, a book alone will run out quickly.
When the pencils should come first
Choose the pencils first when your child already draws on loose paper, notebooks, or cardboard and needs better color variety rather than more prompts. A double-sided set also travels well because one pencil covers two colors.
The limitation is openness: without a book or a suggestion, some kids will color for five minutes and move on. Pencils reward kids who bring their own ideas.
Decision rules for buying one first
- If your child asks for prompts: Buy the color-in book first. A themed page gives a clear starting point and a finish line, which suits kids who stall on blank paper. Plan for the book to be consumable; it ends when the pages do.
- If your child already draws daily: Buy the double-sided colored pencils first. They work on any paper and add color range without requiring a specific page. Check that you have loose paper or a sketchbook on hand before giving pencils alone.
- If you want both eventually: Start with the book for a younger or hesitant colorer, then add pencils once they begin drawing their own scenes. Reverse the order for a child who already fills pages with original drawings. Buying both at once is fine, but introduce one at a time so you can see which format your child actually reaches for.
Product facts
- Ooly Color-In' Book: Enchanting Unicorns: Contains 31 unicorn-themed coloring pages, including unicorn mermaids and castles. The page count gives you a concrete sense of how many sessions the book supports before it runs out.
Ooly Color-In' Book: Enchanting Unicorns - eeBoo Mushroom 25 Double-Sided Color Pencils: 25 double-sided pencils provide 50 colors in one canister. Fifty colors in a single set means fewer missing shades and less need to buy a second set for variety.
eeBoo Mushroom 25 Double-Sided Color Pencils
Which fits your child?
Best for
- Kids who want a guided activity with a clear end point
- Parents looking for a low-setup coloring activity for kids
- Children who enjoy themed pages like unicorns and castles
Not for
- Kids who already draw original scenes and need more colors
- Families who want a reusable art supply rather than a consumable book
- Children who resist coloring inside suggested lines
