What is Digital Coloring Apps for kids: Pros and Cons
February 3, 2025
Technologies have changed the way of life. Children are no exception to the effect of technological changes. Today kids have access to digital devices such as tablets, smartphones and many more. Kids can use these devices to express their imagination, just the same way they use paint and paper. They can draw, paint and color with devices and get the same output of the coloring books. There are various apps kids can use to spend a productive pastime. This will not only let them explore their creativity but also the digital side.
Digital Coloring Apps for Kids
There are some great coloring apps out there. Different apps offer different features that are unique to the app. Let’s take a look at some that stand out the most.Colorfy: Coloring Book Games
This is a great app for young kids that are more than three years old. The app has simple coloring pages perfect for younger children. They can use the brushes available to color various shapes of the pages. This app is quite easy to use and interactive. It’s a good choice for young kids who want to explore colors and patterns. The app is available on Android and iOS.Disney Coloring World
Kids who love disney animations and its characters will have a great time using this app. They will get to color and draw these characters in detail. This will enable the kids to know more about the characters they love. Available on Android and iOS, this app will aid in expanding the kids’ creativity. This app is suitable for kids within 4 to 10 years of age.Pigment
A great app for coloring. This is one of the few apps to be able to provide a realistic experience. There are different brush styles available. Kids can take advantage of the advanced shading techniques to make complex coloring art works. This app is suitable for older kids, especially those who seek to improve their coloring skills. Kids can explore further with digital art work with this app. Pigment is available only on iOS.Toca Boca Coloring Book
If you have an iPad then your kid will have a great time coloring with this app. This coloring app takes inspiration from the mobile video game that has interactive stories. Children can color their favorite character from the video with this app. This coloring app is pretty easy to use and kids will be able to explore various characters to make their own stories.Coloring Games: Color & Paint
This app is available both on iOS and Android. Young kids aged between 2 and 6 can have a great time with this app. They will be able to mix colors to paint various arts. Besides, kids can draw with this app. There is alo puzzle games that go neatly with coloring. This is a great app that will help in the development of a child’s creativity and skills.Upsides of Digital Coloring App
- Mess Free: Traditional coloring involves coloring pages, coloring pens and pencils, paints and many more items. Kids can create a mess using these items that can leave permanent stains. But with digital coloring there is no worry of spilling colors and paints or creating stains. Moreover you don’t need supplies with digital apps as you can just create new pages to color. So you also create no waste with digital coloring apps.
- Various Tools and Colors: There are various color palettes available on coloring apps. You can also create color palettes easily with digital apps. Moreover you can use different kinds of brushes, pencils and pens with apps. If you want to take the traditional route then you have to spend a lot of money on supplies and yet you might not get the color and tools you are looking for.
- Interactive: Most apps feature a story. So kids can stay engaged while they color. There are animations and music to make coloring more fun for the kids.
- Educational Benefits: Coloring apps can fine tune a kid’s motor skills. As a kid learns to use tablets or smart devices for drawing, it will lay the foundation for future digital arts. He will be able to learn how to use his hands and eyes in tandem. As there are more materials available kids will be able to acquaint themselves with numbers, letters and shapes easier.
- Portability and Easy Access: Unlike traditional coloring you don’t have to prepare your supplies. Kids can just get into coloring any time of the day. Even when there is a little break they can indulge in something productive anywhere and anytime of the day.
Downsides of Digital Coloring Apps
- Screen Time: Children should not spend the majority of their time on screen. Excess screen time promotes a sedentary lifestyle. This can lead to obesity and health complications from bad postures. Besides the physical problems it can negatively impact mental health which can lead to depression and anxiety. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2-5 shouldn’t have more than 1 hour of screen time on weekdays and no more than 3 hours on weekends. This is to ensure interactions with family members and their development.
- Lacks Sensory Experience: In digital coloring children don’t get to handle papers and coloring materials such as pencils, paints and other equipment. Kids don’t get the tactile experience which is necessary for development.
- Supervision: Parents need to supervise that the apps are not showing or promoting something that is not appropriate. Moreover they should supervise if there are ads and in app purchases to avoid unexpected circumstances.