When you think about adult colouring books, you might picture floral patterns, cute animals, or motivational quotes in swirly fonts (sorry, I am guilty of enjoying all of those, especially Girl Moments by Coco Wyo) but trust me, there’s so much more out there. In fact, my own husband is a big fan of colouring! Alongside enjoying playing games and building Warhammer, he also enjoys unwinding with some colouring. We usually pop on a podcast to enjoy together and colour side by side.
Adult colouring isn’t just relaxing—it’s creative, calming, and yes, absolutely for men too. Now I don't want to be sexist, but a lot of men wouldn't get enjoyment out of colouring books like Girl Moments. Whether you're into muscle cars, mountain landscapes, funny dad moments, or even just bold geometric patterns, there's a colouring book out there for you. In this post I will be sharing some of the best adult colouring books for men.
Why Colouring Is Great for Men
Colouring isn’t just for kids - or for women with a pack of pastel alcohol markers. For men, it can be a surprisingly powerful way to relax, recharge, and even reconnect with creativity.
Here are just a few reasons why adult colouring books are a brilliant hobby for men:
1. It helps reduce stress and anxiety
Colouring gives your brain something calming to focus on. It’s repetitive and soothing, almost like meditation, which makes it a great way to unwind after a stressful day or during a break from work.
2. It encourages mindfulness
When you're focused on staying inside the lines or choosing the right colours, you're pulled into the present moment. It’s one of the simplest ways to practise mindfulness—no fancy apps or silent retreats required.
3. It offers a screen-free hobby
Let’s face it, most of us spend hours in front of screens. Colouring gives your eyes and mind a much-needed break. It's also easy to combine with other relaxing activities like listening to music, a podcast, or even chatting with your partner.
4. It sparks creativity—without pressure
You don’t need to be “artistic” to enjoy colouring. There’s no blank page anxiety, no need to come up with your own drawing - just pick your colours and get started. It’s creative freedom with built-in structure.
5. It’s low-cost and low-commitment
Compared to some hobbies that require expensive gear or lots of time, colouring is budget-friendly and flexible. You can do it for five minutes or fifty, at home or on the go, with whatever supplies you have. You can even get started with the Home Bargains alcohol markers for just £7.99.
Whether you’re looking for a way to unwind, explore your creative side, or just try something new, adult colouring could be a surprisingly perfect fit.
What to Look for in a Colouring Book for Men
When it comes to choosing adult colouring books for men, there is no one size fits all approach. Here are a few things to keep in mind when picking an adult colouring book that suits you—or the man you're buying for.
Bold or intricate designs?
Some men prefer bold, easy-to-see lines that are satisfying to fill in without being too fiddly - great if you're colouring to relax, or if fine motor skills aren’t your strong point. Others might enjoy more detailed designs that take longer to complete and offer a bit more of a challenge. There's no wrong answer, it just depends on what you enjoy.
Choose themes that actually interest you
This is key. Colouring books for men now come in all sorts of themes, everything from nature scenes and wildlife to muscle cars, tattoo-style art, dad life, retro gaming, and even sweary humour. If it’s something you’d enjoy looking at or talking about, chances are you’ll enjoy colouring it too.
Check the paper quality
If you’re using coloured pencils, most books will be fine. But if you prefer markers or pens, look for books with thicker pages to prevent bleed-through. Some books even come with single-sided pages, which is ideal if you’re using alcohol markers or want to frame your finished work.
Consider the size and format
Do you want something compact you can take on the go, or a larger book with more space for detail? Travel-sized books are great for tossing in a bag, while full-sized ones give you more room to work and often feel a bit more satisfying to colour in at home.
A bit of thought at this stage means you’re far more likely to end up with a book you’ll actually want to pick up again and again.
Cozy Crime Scenes by Jojo Weirdo
If you're looking for the best adult colouring books for men then you can't go far wrong with something from the Cozy Crime Scenes series by Jojo Weirdo, especially if you, or the man you want to buy the book for has a dark sense of humour and wants to colour with the viral bold and easy style.
There are 40 hand drawn illustrations in each book and including animal characters caught in unexpected and suspicious circumstances.
So far there are 4 books in the cozy crime scenes series by Jojo Weirdo, and as expected they are not for kids!
The second book has 42 scenes to colour in, with a mixture of cuteness and dark humour.
The third book in the series has another 40 pictures to colour.
The forth book is the most recent, having been released in April 2025. It again contains 40 images.
This is the first adult colouring page my husband did - I have4 to say I'm quite jealous of his blending and glitter effect for his first time! He used the Decotime alcohol markers for this.
Dad Adult Colouring Books For Men
If you are a Dad, or the man in your life is a Dad (including a pet Dad!) then you might want to get an adult colouring book for men that focuses on Dad life.
Fur Dad Moments and Dad Moments from Men Color Too both have 40 images to colour in, in the viral bold and easy style.
Crit Happens Adult Colouring Book for men
If you're a bit of a nerd then this is the perfect colouring book for you!
Here's what the blurb says:
CRIT HAPPENS: A Whimsical Colouring Book
When the dice go wild and the owlbears get cuddly… CRIT HAPPENS.
Step into a delightfully chaotic world of magic, monsters, and misadventure with this bold black-and-white colouring book inspired by the unpredictable joy of tabletop RPGs. Perfect for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, chaotic good energy, and colouring outside the lines, CRIT HAPPENS brings you:
- 30 Hilarious, easy-to-color scenes of fantasy mayhem
- A quirky cast of adventurers, monsters, and mischievous familiars
- Bold linework designed for all ages
- A perfect gift for gamers, colourers, and chaotic creatives alike
Whether you're relaxing between sessions or need a creative crit fix, this book is your portal to a realm where things rarely go to plan—but always go hilariously wrong.
Grab your pencils and roll for initiative — it’s time to colourr some chaos!
Kerby Rosanes Adult Colouring Books For Men
Kerby Rosanes has a brilliant selection of colouring books that men enjoying colouring. You've got everything from Dark Fairytales to Alien Worlds.
The pictures in these books are quite intricate and lend themselves well to colouring with pencils or gel pens - they wouldn't work well with alcohol markers.
Cityscapes by Clair Rollet
If you're looking for something a little different then Cityscapes might be the perfect book for you.
The blurb says:
'Color in each beautiful cityscape and feel yourself being connected to your inner urban light. The extended panoramas in this book are inspired by ten iconic cities from around the world, including New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, Toronto, Sydney, Venice, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, and Hong Kong. After completing each of the four-page, glow-in-the-dark skylines, scenes transform from day to night when you turn off the lights!'
Other adult colouring books for men
Some other adult colouring books for men that deserve a mention are below.
Shed | I Need A Break | Dragon Coloring Book
Tools & Supplies: What You’ll Need to Get Started
You don’t need a huge art kit to start adult colouring—just a few basic supplies can make a big difference to your experience. Here are some great tools to consider:
1. Colouring pencils
A classic choice. They’re easy to use, mess-free, and great for blending. Look for soft-core pencils for smoother colouring. Brands like Prismacolor or Crayola are popular, but even budget-friendly supermarket sets can be great for beginners.
2. Markers and pens
If you prefer vibrant colours or a bolder finish, markers are the way to go. I’ve tested a few budget-friendly options, and two favourites are:
– Home Bargains Dual Tip Markers – These are brilliant value and perfect for both fine details and filling in larger spaces. You can check out my full review here.
– Decotime Markers – Another great affordable option that packs a punch with colour. I’ve written a full post about them here.
3. A decent sharpener and rubber
If you’re using pencils, a good sharpener keeps your lines neat. And a soft rubbercan help fix any slips or smudges without damaging the page.
4. Blending tools (optional)
If you want to level up your colouring, you can experiment with blending pencils and colourless blenders to create smooth colour transitions.
5. A clipboard or lap desk
Perfect if your colouring book isn’t spiral-bound or if you like to colour away from a table. It helps keep things steady and comfortable.
6. Good lighting
Natural light is ideal, but a desk lamp or reading light can really help, especially with finer details or evening colouring sessions.
You can absolutely start with whatever you have lying around, but upgrading a few tools—especially your colouring pens or pencils—can make a huge difference in how enjoyable and satisfying the hobby feels.
Tips to Get Started with Adult Colouring
If you’re new to adult colouring, or picking it up again after a long break, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it—without overthinking it.
1. Start with a theme you actually enjoy
Forget what’s popular - choose a colouring book that fits your interests. Whether it’s cars, animals, dad jokes, or geometric designs, you're much more likely to stick with it if the content makes you smile.
2. Don’t aim for perfection
Seriously - this isn’t school. Colouring is meant to be relaxing, not stressful. Don’t worry about staying perfectly in the lines or picking the “right” colours. Just enjoy the process.
3. Set the mood
Put on a podcast, your favourite playlist, or just enjoy the quiet. Creating a little ritual around colouring time makes it something to look forward to.
4. Use what you’ve got
You don’t need fancy art supplies to get started. Some of the best budget-friendly pens and markers—like the ones from Home Bargains or Decotime—work beautifully.
5. Try different tools
Pencils, markers, gel pens... see what you like best. Some people enjoy the smoothness of alcohol markers, while others prefer the control of pencils. There’s no right or wrong—just personal preference.
6. Colour little and often
Even 10 minutes of colouring can help you relax and refocus. Keep your book and tools somewhere handy so you can reach for them when you need a screen break.
7. Share your work (or don’t!)
You might want to keep your colouring totally private—or you might enjoy sharing it in a Facebook group or with friends. Do whatever feels good to you.
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