Ben 10: Colouring Pages

As a parent, one aim I have is to encourage my childrens' creativity and imagination as much as possible. One very good way to do this is through artwork and colouring.

These days, anyone with access to the internet and a good printer can create a never-ending supply of colouring books and art pages for their budding Rembrandt or Picasso.

Here, I have created a listing of some of the best online sites where you can find Ben 10 pages for your child to color.

I have searched through the internet to find some of the best online sources for Ben 10 colouring pages so that you don't have to. I believe that you are never too old to enjoy coloring. It's just difficult at times to find enough for everyone!

Now, all you need is a home printer and you can provide loads of pages for your children to color. Or you!

I know I have gone through probably reams of paper on a wet and rainy summer afternoon, or a cold and damp school holiday printing up pages for my own children to colour. As is usually the case, the Ben 10 pages they colour take on a whole new life as my kids add features and bits not found on the original picture.

What first struck me about the original series and the writers and producers have continued in the newer series is the relative realism. Ben is a "real" kid. He's not some super-good kid. They actually portray him as having all the doubts, fears, and ego-centric thinking of an average 10 year old, and the average 15 year old boy in later series.

10 year old boys are not always nice. They fight with their cousins, they get bored, they're impatient, they're eager. 15 year old boys are going through all the joys of hormonal changes, exploring their independence, and noticing that other 15 year olds just might be a bit attractive.

The cartoon character has gone through all of this as well.

What I also like is that there are underlying messages, without being preachy or obvious.

• You can't get your own way all the time.

• Sometimes, you've got to think about others.

• It's okay to ask for help and to accept help from others.

• Good can prevail over evil, but you may not always like how it prevails.

Once your kids have their pages to color, they are going to need some coloured pencils or crayons to use. These can be picked up just about anywhere from single crayons to boxed sets.

Give your children a wide range of colours to choose from, so they can let their imagination run wild. When colouring, don't try to direct them. Let them choose what colors they want and any combinations for themselves. You'll be amazed and amused with what they come up with.

No matter how many crayons I have in the tub, my kids always seem to want that only single best colour that their brother just happens to be using. And no, this other similar colour won't work!

That's why I like to have doubles of all the colours on hand.