Valentine’s Day Carousel Coloring Page

A carousel decorated for Valentine’s Day brings together the whimsy of a fairground ride with hearts, flowers, and maybe even cupid details on the panels. The ornate horses and decorative poles give you plenty of detailed areas to work with, while the romantic theme lets you play with softer, dreamy colors you might not usually use on a traditional carousel.

What colors work best?

Think pinks and reds as your foundation, but don’t stop there. Lavender and rose gold together create a romantic, vintage feel that works beautifully on the carousel’s canopy. Try pairing coral with mint green for the horses themselves, or go with classic white horses accented with ruby red saddles and gold bridles. The striped pole can be candy cane pink and cream, or you could try something unexpected like burgundy and blush. Metallic gel pens in gold or silver add wonderful touches to the decorative scrollwork.

Did you know?

Carousels have been associated with romance since the Victorian era, when they were popular courting spots because the ride gave young couples a rare chance to sit close together in public. The outer horses on a carousel move up and down more dramatically than the inner ones, which is why they’re traditionally more ornately decorated and cost more to ride. Some historic carousels actually featured “lover’s chariots” – benches designed specifically for couples to share instead of riding individual horses.

How to color this one

Start with the largest areas first, like the canopy top and the horses’ bodies, to establish your color scheme. Colored pencils work really well for the detailed decorative elements since you can layer colors to create depth in the carved details. Use a slightly darker shade along the edges of ribbons and hearts to make them pop off the page. The pole stripes are easier if you work on alternating sections rather than trying to stay between the lines as you spiral around. A white gel pen can add highlights to make surfaces look shiny and polished.

Who’ll love this?

Anyone who enjoys detailed coloring will appreciate the ornate elements here. It’s nice for teens or adults who want something romantic but not overly cutesy. This also works well as a calm evening activity in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, or as something to work on while listening to music or a podcast.