Mandala Coloring Pages (40 Free Printable PDF)

8 Crafts for Kids Using Mandala Coloring Pages

Mandala coloring pages are more than simple art activities—they’re a proven way to help children build focus, patience, and fine motor skills while having fun. As a former private school teacher, I’ve used mandalas in class to help kids relax after busy lessons, and now at home, I see the same benefits with my children. The circular patterns naturally guide kids to slow down, stay within shapes, and explore colors in a balanced way. This makes mandalas especially helpful for children who feel restless, overwhelmed, or easily distracted.

In this article, I’ll show you how to turn coloring pages of mandalas into meaningful, hands-on crafts that go beyond coloring. Using the free printable coloring pages (PDF) I’ve already shared, you and your kids can create decorations, toys, and gifts that build creativity and confidence. Each idea is designed to be simple, safe, and engaging for young children, while also giving parents practical ways to spend quality time together—something I truly value during our family “creative afternoons” at home.

Craft 1: Mandala Sun Catcher

Last week, on a bright sunny afternoon, Lisa asked me if we could make something “that shines like magic.” So we grabbed one of our mandala coloring pages and turned it into a beautiful suncatcher. The result? Our window was full of colors—and honestly, even Mike stopped running around for a moment to admire it.

Materials Needed:

• Mandala coloring pages
• Crayons or markers
• Wax paper or transparent plastic
• Scissors
• Glue
• Tape or string

Steps:

1. Print out your favorite mandala art coloring pages. Lisa usually picks mandala flower coloring pages because she loves soft shapes and pretty patterns.
2. Let your kids color the mandala. Encourage them to mix colors—Mike loves using green and blue everywhere, even when it doesn’t match.
3. Carefully cut around the mandala circle. If your child is younger, like Mike, it’s better if you help with this step.
4. Glue the colored mandala onto wax paper or a transparent sheet.
5. Trim the edges to keep it neat.
6. Tape it to a window or attach a string to hang it.

Fun Tip:
Last time, Lisa tried using light colors in the middle and darker ones outside. When the sun hit it, it looked like a glowing rainbow—she was so proud of it!

Craft 2: Mandala Greeting Cards

Last month, for Emily’s birthday, we skipped buying a card and made one using free mandala coloring pages. And I’m not exaggerating—Emily kept it on her bedside table for days. These small handmade touches really mean a lot, and it’s a great way to color & celebrate those big milestones together.

Materials Needed:

• Coloring pages of mandalas
• Folded cardstock or thick paper
• Glue stick
• Markers or colored pencils
• Stickers (optional)

Steps:

1. Pick out one of your favorite mandala coloring pages to print and color. I print a few at a time so the kids can pick out what they like.
2. Have your kids color the design. Lisa takes her time, adding small details, while Mike just goes “fast mode” and fills everything quickly.
3. Cut out the mandala shape. Help younger kids with scissors if needed.
4. Attach the mandala to the front of a folded card with glue.
5. Allow your kid to write a simple note inside, like “I love you” or “Happy birthday.”
6. Add stickers if they want to make it more fun.

Smart Tip: If you print multiple mandala coloring sheets, you can create a full set of cards in one session. Last time, we made three cards—Lisa kept one, Mike gave one to his mom, and one stayed as a memory.

Craft 3: Mandala Coloring Pages Wall Art

A few days ago, Mike wanted to “change his room like a superhero base.” So instead of buying decorations, we used our mandala coloring pages and made simple wall art. It turned out colorful, personal, and way more special than anything from a store.

Materials Needed:

• Coloring pages of mandalas
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Cardboard or thick paper
• Glue or tape
• Frame

Steps:

1. Choose one design from your coloring pages of the mandala collection and print it in good quality so the lines stay clear and easy to color.
2. Let your child take their time coloring each section. Encourage them to stay inside the lines, but don’t worry too much about perfection—Mike still goes outside sometimes, and that’s part of the fun.
3. As soon as you’re done, put the mandala on top of a cardboard square and carefully glue it down. A light press will get rid of the air bubbles and make it flat and clean.
4. Leave it for a few minutes to dry properly. This step is important so the paper doesn’t bend or wrinkle later.
5. If you have a frame, place the mandala inside. If not, you can simply use tape on the back and stick it to the wall.
6. Pick a nice spot together—on a bedroom wall, near a desk, or even in the living room. Kids love seeing their artwork displayed like real artists.

Creative Tip: Put together two or three mandala art coloring pages that have colors that go well together. Lisa made a pink and purple set the last time, and it made her room feel soft and cozy.

Real-Life Tip: As soon as kids see their art on the wall, they want to make more. Easy way to boost confidence without saying anything.

Craft 4: Mandala Spinner Toy

This one always turns into a funny moment at home. The first time we made it, Mike spun it so fast that he got dizzy and fell on the couch laughing. That’s when I knew this craft was a winner.

Materials Needed:

• Mandala coloring pages
• Cardboard
• String
• Glue
• Hole punch

Steps:

1. To make the spinning effect look better, print out a mandala from one of your free coloring pages. Pick one with big shapes.
2. Color the mandala on one side first, using strong and bright colors. If your child has the patience, you can also color the other side to make it look nice from both directions.
3. Glue the mandala onto a piece of cardboard and press it down well so it becomes strong enough to spin without bending.
4. Be careful to make two small holes near the center of the circle after the glue has dried. As much as possible, try to space them out evenly so the spinner stays balanced.
5. Cut a piece of string and put it through both holes. Then, tie the ends together to make a loop.
6. Hold the string with both hands, twist it several times, and then gently pull and release. The mandala will start spinning back and forth in a fun and satisfying way.

Genius Hack: Use colors that are opposite of each other, like red and yellow or blue and white. Kids think it’s almost magical how the colors mix together when the mandala spins.

Fun Family Tip: Turn it into a small challenge at home—who can spin it longer or faster? Last time, Mike kept trying again and again, and even Emily joined us for a round!

Craft 5: Mandala Coloring Pages Story Wheel

Last weekend, when it was a bit quiet at home, I wanted something different than just coloring. So I tried turning our coloring pages of mandalas into a storytelling game. I didn’t expect much at first—but wow, Lisa spun a whole princess story, and Mike added a lion superhero in the middle of it. Encouraging this kind of creative play is vital to boost early language development and storytelling skills.

Materials Needed:

• Mandala coloring pages
• Crayons or markers
• Cardboard
• Paper fastener
• Glue

Steps:

1. Print two mandala designs from your free mandala coloring pages PDF collection—one will be the base, and the other will be the rotating top layer.
2. Ask your child to color both mandalas, but with a purpose. For example, each section can represent something: a place, a character, or an action. I told Lisa, “This part can be a castle, this one a forest…” and she loved it.
3. Glue one mandala onto cardboard to make it strong. This will be the bottom wheel.
4. On the second mandala, cut out a small “window” shape in one section. This is where the story will appear when you spin it.
5. Place the top mandala over the bottom one and connect them in the center using a paper fastener so it can spin easily.
6. Now spin the top layer and create stories based on what appears in the window. Every spin creates a new idea!

Creative Tip: Begin the story with your kids. I usually start with “Once upon a time…” and let them go on. Kids who are shy can naturally open up to it.

Real-Life Tip: Enjoy learning without any stress with this activity. When you play together, you have fun and improve your language skills, creativity, and self-esteem.

Craft 6: Mandala Nature Collage

Last time, on a warm afternoon, Emily suggested we go outside for a bit. Mike started picking leaves; Lisa found small flowers, and that gave me an idea—we combined nature with our mandala art coloring pages. Taking art projects outdoors is a simple way to support a child’s mental well-being and curiosity about the world.

Materials Needed:

• Mandala coloring pages
• Crayons or colored pencils
• Leaves, small flowers, or grass
• Glue
• Thick paper or cardboard

Steps:

1. Pick out a mandala design and print it out well. Coloring pages with patterns like mandalas and flowers are great for this activity.
2. Let your child color the mandala, but leave some spaces empty on purpose. These spaces will be filled with natural elements later.
3. Go outside together and collect a few small items like leaves, petals, or tiny sticks. Make sure everything is clean and safe to use.
4. Put the mandala on cardboard and start putting the natural pieces inside or around the patterns. Let your child choose where each piece goes.
5. Glue everything carefully and lightly press so it sticks well once you’re happy with the design.
6. Leave it to dry, then display it on a table or wall as a special mixed-art piece.

Genius Hack: Use different textures—soft petals, rough leaves, thin grass. It makes the mandala feel “alive” and more interesting to touch and look at.

Family Moment Tip: This craft is perfect when kids have too much energy. A short walk outside + a calm creative activity = balanced mood. I’ve seen Mike go from super active to calm in just 20 minutes.

Craft 7: Mandala Treasure Hunt Game

A few days ago, it was one of those afternoons where Mike had too much energy and Lisa was getting a bit bored. So instead of telling them to “find something to do,” I created a quick game using our mandala coloring sheets—and it turned into a full treasure hunt around the house.

This craft is perfect if your kids love moving, thinking, and a little bit of challenge.

Materials Needed:

• Mandala coloring pages
• Crayons or markers
• Small papers for clues
• Tape
• A small “treasure” (toy, candy, or surprise)

Steps:

1. Print several free mandala coloring pages and choose a few with clear sections that are easy to recognize.
2. Ask your kids to color each mandala differently—use strong colors so each one becomes easy to identify later during the game.
3. Cut or keep the mandalas whole, then hide them in different places around the house (under a table, behind a door, near a couch).
4. Write simple clues on small papers like “Look where we sit to watch TV” or “Check near your favorite toy.”
5. Give your child the first clue and let them search for the matching mandala. Each mandala leads to the next clue.
6. At the final step, they find the “treasure.” You can make it simple—last time, I used a small chocolate, and Mike felt like he won a big prize.

Smart Tip: Make the clues easier or harder depending on your child’s age. With Mike, I keep it simple. With Lisa, I add small challenges.

Fun Family Tip: Next time, let your kids make the game. Last week, Lisa made one for us, and to be honest… I couldn’t figure out one clue.

Craft 8: Mandala Emotion Faces

Last month, after a long school day, Mike was a little upset but didn’t really explain why. So instead of asking too many questions, I brought out our mandala coloring sheets and turned it into an “emotion game.”

Materials Needed:

• Coloring pages of mandalas
• Crayons or markers
• Paper or cardboard
• Glue

Steps:

1. Select a few mandala coloring pages and print them with clear patterns so kids can easily divide them into sections.
2. Ask your child to assign a feeling to each mandala. For example: happy, sad, excited, calm, or even “angry like a lion” (Mike’s favorite).
3. Let them color each mandala using colors that match the feeling. Lisa uses soft purple for calm, while Mike goes full red when he says “angry.”
4. Glue each finished mandala onto a piece of cardboard to keep it strong and easy to handle.
5. Lay them out on a table and talk about them together. Ask simple questions like, “When do you feel like this one?”
6. Help your kid choose a mandala that represents how they feel today and write about it in their own words.

Genius Hack: Set up a small “emotional corner” at home where kids can do their daily mandala. It turns into an easy way to talk without any stress.

Real-Life Tip: This activity helped Mike open up more than direct questions. Sometimes kids don’t need answers—they just need a creative way to express what’s inside.

Final Thoughts

As a teacher and a dad, I can tell you that simple activities often make the best memories. Coloring mandala coloring pages isn’t just a way to keep kids busy. It’s to help them concentrate, talk about how they feel, and enjoy real life without screens. Lisa is more patient and creative now, and Mike, who can’t sit still most of the time, finds peace and joy in these little projects.

Download Free Coloring Pages: