Templates colored in by the community
Templates colored in by the community
Templates colored in by the community
Templates colored in by the community
Templates colored in by the community
Make St Nicholas Look Kind and Bright – Simple Coloring Tips
St Nicholas is often shown as a friendly bishop with special clothing and a calm, gentle face. Careful coloring helps his outfit look neat, warm, and important. Slow, even strokes make the picture look tidy and clear.
What to Notice While Coloring St Nicholas
- Hat and staff details: The bishop’s hat (mitre) may have lines, bands, or small patterns. Color these parts slowly so the shapes stay clear.
- Robe folds: Long robes often have curved lines showing folds. Use the same color, but press a little lighter in the fold areas to make the robe look more real.
- Trim and borders: Many St Nicholas pictures include a border on the robe or cape. Keep the trim color inside the lines to make it stand out.
- Beard and hair texture: A beard looks best with short strokes that follow the hair direction (downward or slightly curved), not one big flat block of color.
- Face and hands: Use light pressure for skin so the face looks soft and friendly. Leave tiny white spots for highlights on cheeks or nose if desired.
- Small symbols: Some pages show a book, a cross, or a bag of gifts. These small areas look best when colored with sharpened pencils or the tip of a crayon.
Neat Coloring Hint: Color the big robe areas first, then finish the small details (trim, patterns, staff). This helps keep light colors clean.
Realistic Colors for St Nicholas (Classic Look)
| Part of the Picture | Color Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Robe / Cape | Deep Red |
| Trim (robe edges, decorations) | Gold |
| Hat (mitre) | White |
| Hat details (bands, small shapes) | Gold |
| Staff (crook) | Gold |
| Book cover (if shown) | Dark Green |
| Book pages | Cream |
| Beard and hair | Light Gray |
| Eyebrows (optional detail) | Soft Gray |
| Skin (face and hands) | Light Peach |
| Shoes (if shown) | Dark Brown |
| Belt or small accessories (if shown) | Brown |
Helpful Hints for a Clean, Beautiful Finish
- Use light layers for the robe: color once, then add a second layer where shadows would be (under sleeves, near the bottom edge).
- Keep white areas (hat or trim) bright by coloring the darker parts next to them carefully and slowly.
- For the beard, use short strokes and leave a few tiny white gaps so it looks fluffy instead of flat.
- If using markers, outline small details (like trim shapes) first, then fill the larger spaces to avoid going over the lines.
Scissors, Glue, Ho Ho! St Nicholas Crafts Kids Can Make
Pop-Up St Nicholas Card
✂️ You need: finished St Nicholas coloring page, cardstock, scissors, glue stick, crayons or markers, optional stickers
- Color St Nicholas and cut him out carefully.
- Fold a piece of cardstock in half to make a card.
- Fold a small paper strip like an accordion and glue it inside the card.
- Glue St Nicholas onto the accordion strip so he pops up when opened.
- Decorate the front and write a short greeting inside.
💡 Supports: fine motor skills, creativity, careful cutting, sequencing
Cotton-Beard St Nicholas Portrait
✂️ You need: St Nicholas coloring page, cotton balls, white glue, small bowl, paintbrush or cotton swab, optional glitter
- Color the picture and leave the beard area mostly white.
- Put a little glue in a bowl and spread it on the beard.
- Pull cotton balls into fluffy pieces and press them onto the glue.
- Add tiny cotton pieces for eyebrows or hat trim if you like.
- Let it dry flat and hang it up as winter art.
💡 Supports: sensory play, hand strength, focus, creativity
Classroom St Nicholas Garland Line
✂️ You need: several St Nicholas coloring pages, crayons or markers, scissors, hole punch, string or yarn, tape or clothespins
- Color multiple St Nicholas pages with different designs.
- Cut out each St Nicholas and punch one hole at the top.
- Thread the string through the holes and space them out.
- Tie the ends and hang the garland across a wall or window.
- Add name tags under each picture for a group display.
💡 Supports: teamwork, planning, fine motor skills, pride in sharing work
Did You Know? 5 Kind Facts About St. Nicholas
He Was a Real Person!
St. Nicholas was a real bishop long ago in a place called Myra (in today’s Turkey), and people remembered him for being helpful and generous. Encyclopedia Britannica
Secret Gifts Made Him Famous
Stories say he liked giving gifts quietly, without showing off—so the surprise and kindness were the best part. Encyclopedia Britannica
Sailors Called Him a Helper
St. Nicholas became known as a special saint for sailors, and you can still find churches and traditions connected to him in seaside places. Wikipedia
New York Once Loved “Sinterklaas”
When New York was called New Amsterdam, Dutch families celebrated “Sinterklaas,” a tradition that helped shape America’s later Santa stories. Library of Congress
His Color Is Often Bright Red
In many pictures, St. Nicholas wears a bishop’s robe, sometimes shown in red, and he may carry a tall hat and a staff to show his church role. Wikipedia
