Mandala coloring pages

Each of the mandala coloring pages is built around something children recognize: flower petals, hearts, stars, leaves, a sun and moon, butterflies nose to tail, and forest animals such as a fox, an owl and a hedgehog facing out from the center.

The simpler mandalas have only a few wide rings, such as the six petals around a small circle or the eight hearts, which makes them a good start for small hands. The geometric, rose, feather and ocean mandalas have more layers and suit older kids.

Work from the center outward, one ring at a time, and color all the matching shapes in a ring with the same color before moving on. This keeps the pattern symmetrical. Colored pencils give more control than markers in the small spaces.

Coloring a mandala is calm, repetitive work, and that makes it a good fit for a quiet moment after recess or at the end of a busy day. It is also easy to share, with a parent and a child each working on a mandala of their own.