A Halloween Coloring Activity for Kids: Color It, Tell a Story, Bring It to Life

Keep the setup small enough that it feels easy to begin and easy to clean up. You only need one page per child and the coloring tools you already have.

1. 1Print one coloring page on plain white paper. Regular printer paper works for crayons and colored pencils; slightly thicker paper is better for markers.
2. 2Put out a small set of crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers instead of the whole supply box.
3. 3Keep a phone nearby only if you want to photograph the finished picture. It is not needed for the activity itself.

Animomo's Halloween collection has 60 printable pages, but this activity only needs one. Match the amount of detail to your child's patience today, not just their age.

Easy · Ages 3–5

Little Witch

One clear character, bold outlines, and large spaces for a quick win.

Medium · Ages 6–9

Monster Dance

A lively group scene with obvious movement and room for a funny story.

Advanced · Ages 10+

Dragon Pumpkin Garden

A detailed scene for an older child who enjoys a longer, slower project.

1. 1For a younger child or a short activity, choose one large character with open spaces.
2. 2For a school-age child, choose a scene with two or three characters and a clear action.
3. 3For an older child, offer a detailed page only if they want a longer project. It is also fine to color one section and continue another day.

Before the coloring starts, turn the picture into a tiny story. One name and one action are enough. This gives the child something to imagine without making the activity feel like homework.

1. 1Ask your child to name the main character.
2. 2Ask one simple question: What is the character about to do?
3. 3Repeat the answer as one sentence, such as, ‘Mina the witch is flying home with a bag of moon cookies.’ Write it on a separate scrap only if your child wants to keep it.

Let the child's choices lead. The page does not need traditional Halloween colors, and coloring outside the lines does not hurt the story. Your job is to keep the table calm and help only when asked.

1. 1For ages 3–5, offer three to five colors and let broad scribbles, white gaps, and quick choices count as finished.
2. 2For ages 6–9, invite the child to choose a simple palette and add one background detail connected to the story.
3. 3For ages 10+, let the child plan foreground and background colors or finish a detailed page over more than one sitting.

When the main picture is colored, add one small clue about the action your child imagined. It makes the page feel like their own and gives them an easy prompt for retelling the story later.

1. 1Add one prop, such as a cookie bag, tiny lantern, party invitation, pet, or magic key.
2. 2Draw a simple motion clue, such as stars behind a broom, music notes near a dancing monster, or leaves blowing past a ghost.
3. 3Ask the child to tell the one-sentence story again. Stop there if the page feels finished.

A careful photo is useful whether you want a digital keepsake, plan to send the picture to a grandparent, or want to animate it. The goal is a bright, straight image with the whole page visible.

1. 1Lay the page flat near a bright window or under soft, even room light.
2. 2Move cups, crayons, and hands away from the paper so the full outline is clear.
3. 3Hold the phone parallel to the page rather than tilting it from one side.
4. 4Fill most of the frame with the artwork, but keep all four edges visible.
5. 5Check for blur, glare, and your own shadow before putting the page away.

Animomo is currently available on Android for parents to use with their children. A parent can add the clear photo and use a paid credit to create a short animated video. Animations render in the background, and the app notifies you when the video is ready. iPhone and iPad support is still coming soon.

1. 1On an Android device, a parent opens Animomo and adds the finished artwork photo.
2. 2Create the animation using a paid credit, then let it render in the background.
3. 3When the notification arrives, watch the result together. You can download or share the video with family if you choose.

The activity already has a satisfying finish even if you do not animate the picture. Use the story sentence to give the artwork one more moment of attention before it goes on display or into a keepsake folder.

1. 1Let your child narrate the one-sentence story while holding up the page.
2. 2Act out the character's next move together, or record a short family video if you want a digital memory.
3. 3Display the page, mail it to someone, or save it with the story sentence and date on the back.