A naturist coloring book
Stéphane Deschênes on his playful new "Naturist Colouring Book" designed to give kids a creative outlet while challenging cultural assumptions about nudity
Family participation has always been central to organized naturism, yet many clubs and organizations continue to struggle with how best to support children in their communities. Too often, activities for kids are limited or improvised, leaving families underserved, which in turn results in fewer families, sadly reinforcing misconceptions that naturism is an adults-only pursuit. Naturists must also confront a cultural challenge: the deep-rooted belief that nudity is sexual or inappropriate for children, an assumption so taboo that even countering it requires careful navigation.
Naturist Colouring Book, a new project spearheaded by Stéphane Deschênes, the Canadian owner of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park and president of the International Naturist Federation, enters this conversation directly. On its face, it’s a simple children’s activity book—joyful line drawings of families enjoying picnics, swimming, hiking, and campfire songs. But beneath that simplicity lies a strategic intervention: a tool designed to normalize the human body for children while promoting naturism as a wholesome, family-oriented lifestyle. Released in August 2025, the book is part of a broader Bare Oaks campaign to promote naturism for youth and families.
It’s also an example of naturist promotion done with intention. Deschênes sees the coloring book as part of a broader campaign to “reclaim and revitalize family naturism.” That means giving clubs something tangible to offer kids, but also inviting media attention and public debate.
Planet Nude recently spoke with Deschênes about the project’s origins, its goals, and his hopes for how families and clubs might put it to use. 🚀
Want one?
Naturist Colouring Book retails for $4.95, or $6.95 when bundled with Crayola’s “Colors of the World” skin tone crayons. The crayon bundle is only available in-person at Bare Oaks’ Bare Boutique, while the book alone can be ordered online at Bare Boutique online.
Interview with Stéphane Deschênes, Aug. 2025
What inspired you to create a naturist-themed coloring book for kids?
Initially, it was some drawings that Grace Crowley had created for a club in Australia. It made me realize that a colouring book was the perfect way to give children some creative activity while normalizing the human body in its natural state.
How do you see this project helping to change perceptions about children in naturism?
The book exists first and foremost for children. But it is part of a wider campaign to reclaim and revitalize family naturism. If clubs want to appeal to families, they need to make sure there are activities for their children.
Can you walk us through the creative process? How did you decide on the illustrations, themes, and style?
All of the illustrations had already been done by Grace Crowley. But we were short a few since books are printed in a number of pages that divide by four. The project had stalled a few years ago. It was only when introduced to the work of
through Planet Nude Strips that I had the idea to finish it.We also needed to make good use of the cover pages, which were in colour. But ultimately, we were just looking for themes that would be familiar and fun for the kids.
Have you encountered any pushback or controversy so far, and how do you respond to it?
There has been no controversy so far, but we have only just launched it. I do anticipate some people having the usual reaction due to their misunderstandings and assumptions about naturism. In fact, I am looking forward to it. The only way we seem to get attention these days is when there is a debate. In the case of family naturism, that’s an easy one to win since the facts are on our side. So a controversy allows us to address those issues and reassure people. Of course, there will always be those who refuse to listen. But they don’t matter since they won’t ever consider becoming naturists anyway.
What would you like clubs, federations, or families to do with this book once they have it?
They should just have fun. That’s what colouring books are all about. They could also share it with other families who are not naturists. It is a good conversation starter. But they should be prepared to answer all of the questions. For that, I always point people to: https://www.BareOaks.ca/children/ 🪐
