We’re always dreaming of new ways to use coloring pages, and scratch-and-sniff coloring pages are always a FAVE! A fine motor and sensory activity aaand coloring page activity in one?! Sign us up.
What are scratch-and-sniff coloring pages?
Scratch-and-sniff coloring pages are your new favorite activity for any time of the year.
With glue and flavored gelatin, you can turn regular coloring pages into magical, scented, interactive, colorful, crazy-amazing hours of fun.
AND, just when it already sounds like the coolest thing ever, this can be a two-activity, so you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
🌟 Related: We have the absolute best collection of coloring pages in the world. All the art is hand-drawn and has thick black lines, making them perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages.
Materials
- Coloring pages – ours are truly the best for this activity because our lines are thick, and our art isn’t overly intricate
- Glue
- Flavored gelatin powder
How to make scratch-and-sniff coloring pages
- Step 1: Outline a coloring page in glue.
- Step 2: Sprinkle flavored gelatin on top.
- This is my favorite part because the pale colors of the powdered gelatin instantly turn into vibrant colors when they touch the wet glue. This part is dazzling.
- Step 3: Shake off the excess powder and ta-da!
Allow these to dry overnight, and the next day, they’re ready to scratch-and-sniff.
What kids learn from this process art activity
While this activity is simple to do, it’s loaded with learning at the very same time.
When kids are making scratch-and-sniff coloring pages, they’re:
- Using language to describe the designs they’re making and the colors they see
- Practicing fine motor skills when squeezing the glue and sprinkling on the gelatin powder
- Predicting what color each powdered gelatin will turn once it touches the wet glue
- Using these senses of smell, sight, sound, touch, and possibly even taste (we let the kids have a little taste of the powdered gelatin before it goes on the glue for extra sensory fun)
We are the biggest fans of coloring pages in the world (so much so that we even have enormous 10-foot coloring pages as well), and this is just another fun way to give coloring pages life.
Check out some of our other favorite drawing activities:
- Rainbow Drawing Activity for Exploring Lines with FREE Printable
- Dinosaur Directed Draw with FREE Printable
- Dinosaur Observational Drawings
- Stuffie Painting Art Activity
Scratch-and-sniff coloring pages will be a year ’round fave
This technique is just as fun on Summery coloring pages as it is on birthday, dinosaur, monster, and holiday coloring pages, too.
I loved doing these as a kid myself, and 30 years later, they’re still a complete and total blast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any that can safely use the materials.
Unflavored gelatin has neither color nor taste, so it does not work.
Powdered drink mixes (ex: Kool-Aid, powdered lemonade, etc.) should work great, too!
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