How we coloured in our Valentine’s Colour-In Top (and how it creates a little me-time for you)

Whether you’re planning a cosy night in, getting ready for a Valentine’s dinner, or sending your child off to a playdate or babysitter, this colour-in top is an easy, mess-free activity that keeps them engaged and entertained. Thoughtful, creative, and fun, it’s a lovely alternative to traditional Valentine’s treats.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about sweets and screen time. Our Valentine’s Colour-In Top is a fun, creative activity for little ones, filled with cute characters, playful details, and plenty of space to colour. It’s the perfect way to keep children happily occupied while they explore their creativity, and as a bonus, it gives parents a little breathing space too.

Shop the Valentine’s Pyjamas and the Valentine’s Top

Give yourself some me time

One of our favourite things about our Valentine’s Colour-in Top is that it creates a moment of calm for everyone. This cute, creative activity is ideal for parents who enjoy planning special date nights or Valentine’s Day treats for their children.

Or, while your little one is happily colouring, you get a rare bit of time to yourself. Whether that means enjoying a quiet dinner at home with your special someone, or sending them off on a playdate or to a babysitter with an activity they’ll genuinely love, it’s a win for everyone. It’s a creative, screen-free way to keep children entertained while giving you the breathing space you deserve this Valentine’s Day.

Once your little artist is settled and ready to colour, it’s time to get creative. Below, we’re sharing some simple colouring inspiration from how we brought our Valentine’s Colour-in Top to life, from choosing colour combinations to adding small details that really make the design stand out.

How I coloured our top

When it came to colouring, I started with the larger characters first. The sausage dog and balloons felt like the perfect place to have some fun with patterns. On the balloons, I experimented with ombre blends, spots and polka dots, as well as reverse outlining to keep things playful and varied.

For the sloth and bear, I gently turned the pen so the nib sat on its side and used very light strokes to create a soft, fur-like texture. I used the same technique with the pink on the flamingos to give them a feathery effect. On the llama, I built up clusters of uneven dots, layering them gradually to create a fluffy wool texture. By adding more dots in certain areas, I was able to create different tones, shades and depth within the brown.

I knew I wanted to use plenty of pinks and reds throughout the design, but without it feeling too flat or monochromatic. For example, on the clouds, I kept things light and fluffy by using a soft blue and pink ombre, which still felt very Valentine’s-inspired. Once the main colouring was complete, I finished the top by adding subtle pink shading, soft shadows, and extra pink and red spots across the design. These final touches helped the whole top feel fuller, more detailed, and bursting with colour.