22 Free Columbus Day Coloring Pages

Columbus Day was officially declared a federal holiday in 1934, but people have been celebrating his historical voyage since the colonial period. The first observance dates back to 1792, when the New City and other US States celebrated the 300^th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in North America.

The holiday’s popularity, however, can be credited to Angelo Noce, a first-generation Italian residing in Denver, who started speaking for it as early as 1866. Years later, 1934 to be precise, President Franklin Roosevelt declared it a federal holiday. In 1971. the holiday was designated to be celebrated on the second Monday in October, a date which now coincides with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

22 Free Printable Columbus Day Coloring Pages

Every year, teachers, leaders, writers, and poets use this day as an opportunity to remind people about the importance of loyalty to the nation and the right to citizenship. Even you can do the same, but in a fun and creative way, i.e, through coloring pages.

1. Christopher Columbus

Kicking off this collection is an illustration of this mighty Italian explorer, credited as the founder of North America. Christopher Columbus was actually trying to find a direct sea route from Europe to Asia, but landed on the Bahamas Island, and mistakenly believed that he achieved his goal. This is the reason why he called the natives of the island, Indians.

2. The Explorer

This one’s a rather easy illustration of the famous explorer, perfect for acquainting children with Columbus Day. You can use it to share some facts about Christopher Columbus, such as his nationality and his motivation and goals behind the voyage.

3. Christopher Columbus Day

This simple, thick lined illustration is ideal for pre-schoolers. It features a black and white image of a ship, Columbus’ ship, to be exact. Allow your pre-schooler to be as creative as possible with this illustration. And discuss the Columbus’ role in American history while they fill this image.

4. Columbus Looking Through The Binoculars

Here’s a coloring page of the mighty explorer looking through the binoculars for India, a country he set out to find.

5. Columbus Presenting His Proposal To The King And Queen

This coloring page illustrates Christopher Columbus’s meeting with King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I to secure funding for sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. He even pledged to spread Christianity in Asia, which impressed devout Catholic monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand.

6. Columbus, The Mighty Explorer

Here’s another highly detailed illustration celebrating the legendary figure, Christopher Columbus. It features this mighty explorer with a group of mariners who accompanied him on the voyage.

7. Christopher Columbus On Sail

This coloring picture features Christopher Columbus using his compass’ help in navigating the ship. Along with a compass, Columbus also carried other navigational tools, quadrants, and maps for a trouble-free voyage.

8. Christopher Columbus With The Treasure Chest

Here’s a cartoonish illustration of Christopher Columbus with a treasure chest, which he had supposedly found on his voyage. Historically speaker, Christopher Columbus did not really find any literal treasure chest filled with gold and silver. He falsely presented an impression of immense wealth from the first voyage in an attempt to gain funding for his second voyage.

9. Simple Columbus Day Coloring Page

This easy Columbus Day printable is perfect for little hands.

10. Columbus Day, The Founder Of America

This coloring picture features Columbus on the newly founded land, and natives bowing to him. In his letter sent to the Spanish Royals, Columbus mentioned that he faced no resistance from the natives and they willingly accepted his possession.

11. The Voyager

Here’s a simple coloring page of the legendary explorer looking through his binoculars, with two of his ships in the background. This coloring picture is best suited for making school projects or crafts. Even your teacher will be impressed.

12. Columbus On His Ship

This coloring sheet shows Christopher Columbus on his flagship, Santa Maria, with two others, Pinata and Nina, following him. He was an ambitious explorer who set out on a challenging voyage with just 90 men, navigation tools, ropes, maps, and three ships, which were not even made for such long journeys.

13. The Founding Of Columbus Day

This coloring picture illustrates the reconstructed Santa Maria ship in the year 1892, which is exactly 400 years after Christopher Columbus landed in America. The ship was inaugurated by President Benjamin Harrison and his wife, as an anniversary celebration.

14. Columbus Taking Possession

Here’s a coloring page inspired by an artist’s rendition of Christopher Columbus taking possession of America. On 12^th October 1492, Christopher Columbus and his fleet landed on one of the islands in the Bahamas, which was home to Lucayan people and raised the flag of Spanish sovereigns.

15. Happy Columbus Day

This one’s a rather unique coloring picture as it features Columbus’s ship in a glass bottle, with the world map scribbled in the background. I think it would be perfect for adults looking for some activities to do on Columbus Day.

16. Happy Christopher Columbus Day

If the above one was for adults, this one is ideal for kids. I have drawn this picture in the form of an insignia with the image of Santa Maria in the center. The lines are neat and thick enough for the little hands to fill.

17. Columbus Day Celebration

Celebrate Columbus Day with this coloring image featuring all the stuff Christopher Columbus took with him on his mission. It includes items like rope, ships, binoculars, compass, all of which are essential for an expedition. I have also drawn images of the map and flag of America to give a patriotic touch to the image.

18. Nina Ship

Nina was one of the three ships Christopher Columbus set out to sail with. It was a small, caravel-type ship, around 60 feet long, well known for its speed and endurance. It was pivotal in bringing Columbus back to Spain. Nina was most preferred by Columbus for her reliability and agility.

19. Pinta Ship

Here’s a realistic illustration of Pinta, a light and fast ship of Christopher Columbus. The Pinta Ship is notable for being the ship to sight American lands. Weirdly enough, the ship disappeared from historical records, soon after it arrived back in Spain.

20. Realistic Coloring Page Of Christopher Columbus

This realistic coloring picture of Christopher Columbus is inspired by Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio’s painting of the explorer.

21. Santa Maria

Santa Maria, the largest of the three ships, was a traditional Spanish trading ship called Nao, about 70 feet long. Since it was the largest, it was a bit slow and difficult to maneuver. But its stability in the open Atlantic made up for it.

22. The Three Ships Of Christopher Columbus

Here’s a coloring page of the three ships of Christopher Columbus that accompanied him on his voyage across the Atlantic in 1492 – Santa Maria, Nina, and Pinta. These were not huge ships, but small merchant vessels, not really built for exploration. Nonetheless, Columbus adopted it for the voyage.

On that note, I conclude my collection of free Columbus Day coloring pages. I have tried my best to educate my readers about Christopher Columbus and his contribution to North America through these coloring pictures. If you have any facts to add, let me know in the comment section below.

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