Fall Mandala Coloring Page

This fall mandala coloring page turns the season into one big, calm circle. A round flower sits at the center. Around it, eight maple leaves and eight tiny acorns form the first ring, followed by a band of beads. The next ring holds oak leaves and plain leaves in turns, and a border of scallops closes the circle. Pumpkins, acorns and large corner maples fill out the rest of the sheet.

We drew it for adults, teens and patient kids of about 10 and up. There are hundreds of small spaces, so one or two hours is a fair guess. Many people like to spread it across a few quiet evenings.

How the rings fit together

A mandala works through repeats. Each leaf you color appears again around the ring, so you make one choice and then follow it. That rhythm is why so many people find this kind of page relaxing. Your mind can settle while your hand does a simple job. Nothing here needs a plan beyond the next leaf, and that is why a page like this can quiet a noisy day better than you might expect.

Count as you go. It helps. The inner ring repeats eight times, the oak ring twelve times, and the outer scallops 24 times. Small triangles sit in narrow bands between them, and four rosettes rest in the spaces near the corners. Four fan shaped ginkgo leaves peek out from behind the scallops.

Fall mandala coloring page color ideas

Pick a small set of colors and repeat it from the center out. A warm mix of rust, gold, deep red and chocolate will feel like a walk in the woods. Try starting dark at the center and going lighter toward the edge. The circle will seem to glow from within.

For a softer version, use cream, sage and dusty orange. A dark background also looks striking. Fill the space around the medallion with navy or forest green, and the warm leaves will stand out.

• Sunset set: plum, magenta, orange, yellow
• Forest set: moss, olive, tan, dark brown
• Harvest set: pumpkin, mustard, brick, wheat

Lay out your set on a scrap sheet first and test them side by side. Five minutes of testing can save a whole ring.

Tips for smooth, even color

Use a sharp point. Turn your paper instead of your wrist. Turning the page lets you reach each repeat from the same comfortable angle. Your leaves will then match more closely around the ring.

Finish a whole ring before you start the next. If you jump around, it is easy to lose track of the pattern and miss a leaf. A light pencil dot in each done section can help on the busiest rings.

Try shading each maple leaf from dark at the base to light at the tip. It takes longer, but the ring gets real depth. If you use markers, print on heavy paper and slip a spare sheet underneath to protect your table.

What the word mandala means

In Sanskrit, a mandala is a circle, which fits this ring of leaves. These designs began in Indian religions as patterns full of symbols. In the last century, the psychologist Carl Jung helped bring them to wider attention in the West. He drew them himself and felt they showed something about a person's inner state.

Ways to use your finished mandala

Cut around the outer scallops and hang the circle in a sunny window. Light shining through thin paper will make the colors glow a little. You can also glue it to a round piece of card and use it as a table decoration for a fall dinner.

Color one with a friend, each using the same page but a different set of colors. Then swap and compare. It is a simple way to spend an hour together without looking at a screen.

More mandalas to color

For another leafy design, print the leaf mandala coloring page. Fans of warm yellow should also try the sunflower mandala coloring page.

Questions