I built a calm color-by-number game for my 8-year-old — no ads, no timers, no sign-up

My kid adores color-by-number apps, yet every one we explored was filled with ads, prompts to watch videos for additional colors, timers, or reminders to return later. Consequently, I decided to create my own application: Color Quest (https://colorquestgame.com). The functionality is straightforward: select a pixel picture (animals, dinosaurs, space, treats, unicorns, holidays), tap a color, and fill in the squares corresponding to that number.

There are no timers, no limited lives, no progress loss — a wrong tap merely prompts a mild hint. Completing a coloring streak grants players access to power tools such as a paint brush, rain of paint, or a bomb that fills a patch. My child is particularly enamored with the bomb feature.

I developed the game by combining Opus 5.5 for the primary functions (architecture and complex puzzle-generation logic) with a local Qwen 3.8 running on my personal GPUs for rapid iteration — eliminating any costs or delays from third-party APIs. The project is built using TypeScript and Vite, resulting in a fully static website with no backend required.

The website domain cost $10, and the total expenditure is essentially limited to the domain registration. My 8-year-old served as the project manager, providing feedback through voice notes about desired pictures, perceived boredom, or perceived unfairness. The bomb power tool was implemented based on her demands.

As a parent, I prioritized certain aspects when building the game for children, such as the ability to turn a family pet or a drawing into a puzzle, ensuring the photo remains on the device, and the option to print any picture and color it on paper. The application operates offline after being added to the Home Screen. To maintain privacy and security, no accounts are needed, and progress is stored within the browser.

Moreover, I provided multilingual support in Spanish and Vietnamese, reflecting the languages spoken in our household. The project is a hobby endeavor, with no intention to sell the product; I only seek feedback from other parents and builders who have created similar kid-focused products, asking about which pictures their children would enjoy coloring and any marketing strategies that proved effective with minimal budget.