Parenting

Who Needs A Pot Of Gold? These 10 Rainbow Coloring Pages Are The Treasure

by Brianne Hogan
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Rainbow Coloring Pages
Getty Images

Rainbows are things of magic. When we spot these multi-colored beauties in the sky, we’re quick to stop and gaze at them with awe. So, getting the chance to see a rainbow is often the bright spot in our day that gives us a sense of peace and serenity. Since they often appear at the end of a rainstorm, it’s no wonder they invite visions of love and hope, as well as the promise of a pot of gold at the end of a long journey. It’s also no wonder, then, that rainbow coloring pages are an instant pick-me-up — just think of filling in the following free printables as a solid self-care idea.

Before we unveil our collection of free rainbow printables, let’s talk about what rainbows are. A glimpse of natural beauty, rainbows are a meteorological phenomenon caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of colors. There are seven colors in the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

What’s cool about rainbows is that the basic sequence for primary rainbows is always the same — except, of course, when your little one is armed with an array of crayons (or, if you’re brave, finger paints!) and sheets of rainbow coloring pages like the ones below. Encourage your little one to have fun experimenting with shades and hues for these beauties.

Free Rainbow Coloring Pages

1. Rainbow No. 1

Download This PDF

What a very stylish rainbow with puffy clouds! What do you feel when you spot a rainbow? Is it love, hope, peace, serenity? Do you see it as a good luck charm? Maybe it’s all of the above. You might want to ask your little one the same as they draw. Interestingly enough, you’ll may just have different answers — no two people see the exact same rainbow since a rainbow is an optical phenomenon. That means everything from its shape to the width of its color bands varies from person to person. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder!

2. Rainbow No. 2

Download This PDF

A fun activity to approach this with your child might be to create a game that helps them remember the colors of the rainbow. One way of remembering things is to use mnemonics, like the traditional one: Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain. But you can definitely make up your own or even create a silly song or rhyme around them.

3. Rainbow and Sun and Clouds

Download This PDF

Clouds are often associated with rainbows since rainbows often appear after a rainstorm. On rare occasions, a rainbow cloud can occur as a result of something called cloud iridescence. These clouds happen because of diffraction — a phenomenon that occurs when small water droplets or ice crystals scatter the sun’s light. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed rainbows were a path created by the goddess of the rainbow, Iris, which gave humanity a bridge to the immortals. Another fun fact: The word rainbow comes from the Latin word, arcus pluvius, which means “rainy arch.”

4. Unicorn Rainbow No. 1

Download This PDF

What a funny unicorn! This happy-go-lucky unicorn has a rainbow mane. Which colors would your little one use? Traditional rainbow colors? Or maybe something brighter, like lots of pinks, yellows, and purples? Any guess which state has the most rainbows? The answer is Hawaii!

5. Double Unicorn Rainbow

Download This PDF

This little unicorn has a friend to play with in the sky — how fun! Many people associate colorful unicorns and rainbows with “perfection,” and we can see why. Both symbolize happiness, magic, and joy. To boot, this looks a lot like a double rainbow, which only appears when light reflects twice in a raindrop. (Talk about rare!)

6. Springtime Rainbow

Download This PDF

Springtime is often the symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts, which rainbows also symbolize. It looks like the bird is announcing the start of a new season! With so many different colors and lovely things in this drawing, including the pretty flowers and butterfly, there is much to celebrate here.

7. Hopeful Rainbow

Download This PDF

Many hopeful songs have been written about rainbows, including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “The Rainbow Connection,” famously sung by Judy Garland and the Muppets, respectively. Other hits include Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” and “Pocketful of Rainbows” by Elvis Presley. And you’re not going to find a rainbow anywhere else in the solar system. Earth is the only planet that gets rain and direct sunlight. We are so lucky!

8. Doodle Rainbow No. 1

Download This PDF

Rainbows are a blast to sketch, wouldn’t you agree? Probably because they’re pretty easy to learn how to draw. You might ask your little one to add their own rainbow next to this cheerful doodle. You can also ask them the following question to get their creative gears turning: Did you know that the longest observed rainbow lasted for about nine hours?

9. Doodle Rainbow No. 2

Download This PDF

This rainbow doodle boasts more clouds than the first doodle. So, while your kiddo is coloring, you can introduce them to the four types of clouds: cumulus, cirrus, stratus, and nimbus.

10. Cartoon Rainbow

Download This PDF

Because rainbows are so much fun to draw, it’s easy to get creative. Case in point? This cartoon rainbow doodle. Just seeing these drawings and adding your favorite finishing touches to them — whether it’s coloring in butterflies or birds or adding your spin to the spectrum — is sure to bring some light to your kids’ eyes.

Click here to print all of the rainbow coloring pages at once!

This article was originally published on