Bow Coloring Pages
These bows coloring sheets cover every way to tie a ribbon. Print a big hair bow with long tails, a neat gift bow, a polka-dot bow tie, a row of tiny bows or a coquette-style bow with pearls and lace. The loops and tails are wide open spaces, which makes them good for trying out patterns such as stripes, dots, checks and florals.
Bow on a hair clipMedium
Long-tailed bow with lace edgesMedium
Teddy bear in a bow tieMedium
Cat wearing a bowEasy
Collage of coquette bows, pearls and rosesDetailed
Pattern page of bowsDetailed
Layered bow with four loops and curled tailsDetailed
Wreath tied with a large bowDetailed
Bow covered in a flower printDetailed
Striped ribbon bowMedium
Gingham bowMedium
Bow with heart charmsMedium
Polka-dot bowEasy
Coquette bow with pearlsMedium
Cheer bow on a ponytailMedium
Three small bows in a rowEasy
Simple bow with two tailsEasy
Gift box with a bow on topEasy
Bow tieEasy
Big hair bowEasy
Bows coloring sheets in this set
- Hair bows: two full loops, a knot and two tails, sometimes on a clip.
- Ribbon bows: soft, drooping loops tied from one long ribbon.
- Gift bows: sitting on top of a wrapped box.
- Bow ties: flat and even on both sides, worn on a collar, a teddy bear or a cat.
- Coquette bows: slim bows with long tails, pearls, lace and hearts, a romantic style that has been popular in recent years.
- Cheer bows: big, stiff bows worn on a high ponytail.
- Bow patterns: pages covered in bows of different sizes.
How to color a bow so the ribbon looks real
A bow is a ribbon folded in space, so the trick is showing which parts are in front and which are tucked behind.
- Find the knot. The small shape in the middle is the tightest part. Make it the darkest.
- Shade into the knot. On each loop, color darkest right beside the knot and fade lighter toward the outer curve. This makes the loops look puffed up.
- Darken the insides. If you can see inside a loop, that inner surface is in shadow. Use your darkest shade there.
- Highlight the top. Leave a pale streak along the top curve of each loop. Satin ribbon gets a sharp white streak. Velvet gets none.
- Follow the folds on the tails. Where a tail twists or ripples, alternate light and dark.
Patterns come next. For stripes, curve the lines so they follow the shape of the loop. Polka dots near the edge of a loop should be drawn as ovals, since they're turning away from you. Gingham is two sets of pale stripes crossing, with the squares where they overlap colored darker.
Classic ribbon colors are red, pink, navy, black and cream. For a softer look, try pale pink, baby blue, ivory and sage.
Frequently asked questions
Are these bows coloring sheets free?
Yes. All bows coloring sheets are free to download and print for personal and classroom use.
Do you have coquette bow coloring pages?
Yes. Several sheets have slim bows with long trailing tails, pearls, lace edges and small hearts. They're marked Medium and Detailed and are popular with tweens and teens.
Are bow coloring pages just for girls?
No. Bows turn up on gifts, bow ties, kites, shoelaces and pets. Anyone who likes patterns will enjoy them, and the bow tie page is a hit before a wedding or a school dance.
What can I make with a colored bow?
Cut it out and tape it to a gift, a card or a headband. Glue a row of small bows to a strip of paper for a garland. The big hair bow, printed on card stock, makes a photo prop.