Color by Number Activities Kids Love (Perfect for Back to School & Year-Round Fun!!)

If you are a K-2 teacher looking for fun, low-prep activities that actually keep kids engaged, color by number pages might just be your new best friend! Whether you're easing back into routines in August or managing wild energy during the holiday season, color by numbers are a classroom staple for good reason.

Why Teachers love color by numbers:

Let's be honest, sometimes we just need a quiet moment to breathe. Color by number activities give you that time while still reinforcing essential skills. They are:

• Print-and-go ready

• Great for centers, morning work, or early finishers

• A lifesaver for sub plans

• A simple way to sneak in fine motor practice

Why Students love them:

Your students might think they're just coloring, but you know better. These activities help build number recognition, color word reading, and fine motor coloring all while keeping kids happily engaged. Plus, they love revealing the mystery picture at the end.

When to use Color by Numbers:

Here are some of my favorite times to use color by number pages:

• Back to school - reinforce routines while keeping it fun

• Seasonal celebrations - Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and more!

• Fridays or Quiet time - wind down the week with something peaceful.

• Sub plans - Easy to leave behind with zero extra instructions.

• ABC Countdown to Summer - themed pages that match your celebration days

Color by Number sets for every season:

I've created color by number bundles that cover the entire school year! Here are some teacher favorites:

• Doubles & Near Doubles color by number - Great for the first few weeks of school

• Fall & Halloween color by Number - pumpkins, leaves, and spooky fun!

• Christmas color by number - Holiday cheer and quiet moments combined

• Valentine's Day color by number - sweet designs for February

• Spring & Easter Color by Number - Flowers, eggs, and rainbows galore!

• End of Year Color by Number - Perfect for countdowns and summer vibes!

Check out the full collection in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store

Teacher tips for using these:

• Print extra copies for early finishers

• Keep a binder by month or theme for easy grab-and-go access

• Let kids use crayons, markers, or even watercolor pencils for variety.

Grab a free sample!

Want to try before you buy? Grab these free color by number sample pages and see how much your students love it!

These aren't just "busy work," they're brain boosting fun your kids will ask for again and again.

Browse the full collection of color by number bundles right here on TPT and don't forget to pin this post so you'll have ideas all year long!