Online Coloring Offers No Benefits

Think about it. Online coloring is nothing more than point, click and fill.

Your child isn't trying to stay within the lines, so there goes your eye-hand coordination benefit. The picture is already chosen, so goodbye creativity.

What's the point?

Old-fashioned coloring books are better

Truly. At least your kid gets to work on eye-hand, blend colors, etc. And if you don't have a coloring book handy?

No problem. Visit printable coloring pages to find out where you can find great picture blanks online to print right now on your printer.

Maybe you wanted your child to learn some computer skills

Okay, you still have some better options than online coloring. Most operating systems have some sort of Paint program. For Windows, try looking under Accessories.

Your child will have lots more creativity options than on some online coloring page, and will be able to draw freehand as well. Plus, computer-wise, she or he will have lots more to click on and learn from.

You can even take this to the next level

Have you heard of KidPix©? It's amazing software, and inexpensive as well.

Schools are using this software big-time. My daughter's kindergarten used it twice a week. They integrate it into all kinds of learning.

You wouldn't believe the pictures these kids were coming up with. And the computer skills they were learning. Before they could even read!

One reason the kids love it is they can use the tools to make pictures that are years beyond what their freehand skills would permit. They were limited only by their creativity, not by their skills. What an ego-booster!

And if you can still find KidPix© Version 3, instead of Version 4, well, I like 3 way more than 4. And it's cheaper!

A free online option

Okay, this isn't online coloring, or even coloring, but it's on the computer and it's an amazing skill-builder.

I learned to type when I was 16. That was earlier than any of my friends.

These days, of course, kids learn early. At my daughter's school, they begin to learn even before they're reading.

Think about it. Learning to type reinforces all that letter-learning that's part of learning to read.

And I can lead you to a great site that's free, with no advertising or pop-ups. Imagine that! And the kids love it. The program talks to them while they learn, with music and jokes.

You could plop your kid down in front of the computer and still find him there an hour later, working his way through the lessons, getting a sense of accomplishment like you wouldn't believe.

Check it out. It's called Dance Mat Typing. I call it the reader-friendly option to online coloring

Okay, that's three great options to online coloring

Each one of them lets you walk away and leave your kid to herself. And each of them is a better developmental choice for your child. How about that!

On the other hand, if you're looking for a more involved activity that involves drawing but makes much bigger demands of you, check out my Write a Picture Book Your Child Can Illustrate page.

And something else just occurred to me!

One of the best sources for "entertain yourself" children's activities are some of the great children's magazines. Heck, most of them are filled with games, brainteasers and craft projects.

More on coloring.