You don’t need a giant art stash to find calm. But you do need an art kit. A few mindful coloring supplies that feel good in your hands can slow your breath and make starting easy. This list of supplies keeps things simple to help you build the best coloring kit for your next mindful coloring session.
We’ll focus on how each tool supports a softer, steadier pace in your day (at your kitchen table, on the couch, or during a break at work). I’ll share beginner-friendly picks I trust, with budget options and gentle upgrades, so you can build a small kit that fits your life and needs.
Take what you need, leave the rest. When you build a mindful coloring kit, you have one less thing to worry about and can find calm faster. So, try one or two items today, then add as you go.
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Mindful Coloring Kit
Create a simple bag or pouch, you can take anywhere with all the essential mindful coloring supplies you will need. Don’t know what to put in it? I have a list of Beginner-Friendly must-haves below.
Essential Mindful Coloring Supplies
Get ready for my list of essential mindful coloring supplies. Don’t worry, I’m not just going to tell you what you need without any context. For each item, you’ll see what it is, why it helps you slow down, and one easy way to use it today. I’ll share a starter pick and a gentle upgrade, plus quick tips to avoid common hiccups. Skim the list, choose one or two mindful coloring supplies, and build your calm kit at your own pace.
Ready?
Paper + Pages
Let’s start with the obvious. What are you going to color on?
Smooth Coloring Paper
Keeping paper is a must. You need smooth, bleed-resistant paper that is at least 90-100lb or 250-270 gsm.
- Why it’s mindful: fewer snags = smoother strokes, slower pace.
- Where to Use It: home desk, work printer tray (test page), travel folder.
- Quick Tip: Keep 2 test sheets for swatches and blending practice.
Recommendations:
The cheapest option is to simply grab any blank paper you have. Printer paper is a fast and easy option, especially at work. If you want something more
Coloring Pad
Add a small notepad to your coloring kit for easy access.
Coloring Books + Pages
Coloring books and pages of calming patterns are the way to go for your calm coloring moments.
Recommendations:
The fastest and cheapest option is to download one of the free coloring pages in our Coloring Page Library. Or you can grab a full book of calming patterns like the one below:
Calming Coloring Book
A collection of geometric coloring pages.
Color Tools
The color makers are the mindful coloring supplies at the core of your practice: pencils, markers, and pens that suit calm sessions, from soft blends to bold, meditative strokes.
Colored Pencils
- Why it’s mindful: buttery layering = quiet gradients.
- Where to Use It: home desk, kitchen table, coloring room
- Quick Tip: Have a small trio (dark/mid/light) for quick mini-palettes.
Recommendations:
Here is a variety of colored pencil options to help bring calm to your coloring pages.
Wax/ Oil Colored Pencils
Wood-cased pencils with pigmented cores bound by wax or oil, used dry for layering and shading.
Watercolor Pencils
Pigmented pencils whose marks dissolve with water to create wash effects.
Markers + Pens
For a more vibrant final page, you need to use ink.
- Why it’s mindful: The coloring is gentle with clean edges to calm the eye.
- Where to Use It: coloring room, office and shared spaces.
- Quick Tip: Start with light colors and layer darks on top. Remember to breathe on the downstroke.
Recommendations:
These are different types of markers you can use to get those calm, smooth strokes.
Alcohol Markers
Dye-based markers filled with alcohol solvent for smooth, fast-drying color and blends.
Brush Pens (water-based)
Pens with flexible brush tips that lay down water-based ink similar to watercolor.
Blending Tools
For smooth transitions and a finished look, these mindful coloring supplies help pigments meld, edges soften, and pages set so your practice stays relaxed and smudge-free.
Blender Pencil
- Why it’s mindful: softens pencil streaks into smooth fields.
- When to Use It: skies, petals, mandala rings.
- Quick Tip: Use light pressure and circular motions for the best effect.
Recommendations:
Here are a couple of blender pencils you can try at different price points to fit your budget:
Blender Pencil
A colorless wax/oil pencil that fuses layers
Organization Tools
With these mindful coloring supplies, you can lift mistakes, keep points precise, and keep all of your tools organized so your art stays calm and intentional.
Eraser
- Why it’s mindful: lift color gently; no crumbs, no rush.
- When to Use It: to soften edges or create light spots.
- Quick Tip: Dab, Don’t rub.
Recommendations:
Here are a couple of easers you can try at different price points to fit your budget:
Kneaded Eraser
A pliable, putty-like eraser you mold to lift or soften pigment by dabbing.
Polymer Eraser
A firm plastic eraser that lifts graphite and some colored pencil with minimal crumble.
Pencil Sharpener
Keep your pencils sharp for your next session.
Recommendations:
Here is an electric sharpener you can try:
Sharpener
Portable cases or open trays with compartments to organize and protect supplies.
Storage Case
Keep all your tools in one place so you won’t interrupt your next mindful coloring session.
Recommendations:
Here are a couple of pencil cases you can try at different price points to fit your budget:
Storage Case
Portable cases or open trays with compartments to organize and protect supplies.
Home Decor
Presence needs support. Add these mindful coloring supplies to your coloring room (or on-the-go kit) to provide accurate light and gentle time cues, helping you stay engaged without strain.
Lamp
- Why it’s mindful: softens pencil streaks into smooth fields.
- When to Use It: skies, petals, mandala rings.
- Quick Tip: Use light pressure and circular motions for the best effect.
Recommendations:
Here are a couple of light sources you can try at different price points to fit your budget:
Desk Lamp
An adjustable task light with high color-rendering accuracy (CRI ~90+) for true-to-color viewing.
Timer Cube
Gentle timing keeps your sessions calm and helps you know there will be an end.
- Why it’s mindful: A time cap keeps it doable.
- Where to Use It: At home in your coloring space
- Quick Tip: Start with short sessions and slowly color for longer over time.
Recommendations:
Here are a couple of time keepers you can try at different price points to fit your budget:
Timer Cube
A simple timer or app that signals session lengths and breaks with soft alerts.
Get Coloring With Your Mindful Coloring Supplies
Choosing mindful coloring supplies turns a casual pastime into a soothing ritual. Start small, swatch often, and upgrade only where it noticeably improves comfort, color, or flow. Keep a low-odor kit for shared spaces, and a simple roll or zip pouch for easy travel. With light you trust and tools you enjoy, showing up becomes effortless.
