Calm River

Winding between grassy banks toward the horizon, this calm river carries smooth ripple lines across its surface, with a few rounded stones and tall cattails along the edges. A small wooden bridge crosses it, and gentle rolling hills fade into the distance. The open water and big sky give younger kids plenty of room to color freely, while the ripples, cattails and bridge planks reward older colorers who like adding fine detail. Rivers flow downhill from higher ground all the way to lakes or the sea, and the slow, winding shape here is what calm lowland rivers often look like. Blues and greens come naturally, but a sunset-colored sky can turn the whole scene golden. Try leaving thin white gaps along the ripple lines so the water looks like it is moving. Print it on US Letter or A4 paper.