Why coloring books belong in every suitcase

Last year I packed coloring books for vacation. A bit of an experiment – I wasn't sure if it would work for me, or if it was more of a thing you do at a desk at home.

It ended with me spending almost an entire morning on a sun lounger by the pool, drink in one hand and marker in the other.

It was wonderful.

Why it works better on vacation than at home

At home it doesn't work. There's always something – laundry, emails, that one call you have to take. On vacation you suddenly have something rare: time that can't be scheduled. Moments where you're not rushing anywhere and nothing is looming.

And that's exactly what coloring books are waiting for. They don't need wifi, won't run out of battery, and won't distract you with notifications. You sit down by the pool or on a terrace and you're just... there. Present. Without guilt about whether you should be doing something productive.

What to bring (and what to leave at home)

You don't need to haul an entire set of 120 markers. For vacation, all you need is:

✦24–36 basic colors – enough for a beautiful result, light enough not to weigh a ton

✦One or two coloring books – or print pages from a digital version before you leave and just pack the papers

✦A hard surface – if you're planning to color on the beach or at a campsite

That's it. Fits in a carry-on. Really.

Where it works best

By the pool or on the beach – that's how I experienced it and I can't recommend it enough. Sun, a lounger, a drink, markers. Phone tucked away.

At the airport – waiting for a flight is exactly the kind of boredom coloring books were invented for. Two hours flies by before you know it.

In a campsite or cottage – evening by lamplight, coffee or wine within reach. That romanticized vacation image we all picture and rarely live. Coloring books bring it a little closer.

In the car or on a train – as a passenger, coloring is a legitimate excuse not to navigate.

Why it works better than a book

A book requires concentration. Coloring doesn't – or at least not as intensely. You can look at the sea, chat, listen to music, and color at the same time. It's exactly the right level of occupation that quiets your thoughts while keeping you present.

And unlike a book – you can print the coloring page again.

Leaving soon?

If this just occurred to you and you're leaving soon – digital versions are available to download immediately after purchase. Print at home, pack, and go.

No waiting for delivery, no "arrives in 3–5 days".

Have a wonderful vacation. May your markers survive the trip. ✈️