Trace and Color a Clown (Free Printable for Kids)
Trace the outline of this clown, then color it in. It’s a free printable for ages 3 and up that takes about 10 minutes, and all you need is the printed page, a pencil and crayons. The page comes from Kevin Coulston’s book Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces.

- Trace then color
- Ages 3+
- Grades Pre–K-K
- Beginner
- About 10 min
You’ll need
- The printed page
- Pencil
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
You’ll practice
- Pencil control along a line
- Hand-eye coordination
- Choosing colors
Draw a Clown and Explore the Fun of "Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces"
If you've ever wanted to learn how to draw a clown, you're in the right place! Today, we’re offering a free activity page straight from Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces, featuring a fun and silly clown face for you to trace and color. This simple yet engaging activity helps build drawing confidence and improves fine motor skills—perfect for young artists or anyone looking for a relaxing creative break.
Free Activity: Draw a Clown!
Clowns are some of the most expressive and entertaining characters to draw. With their exaggerated facial features, bright colors, and unique personalities, they make for a fantastic drawing exercise. The Draw a Clown page from Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces provides an easy-to-follow guide to tracing a lively clown face, complete with a big red nose, wide smile, and playful hair.
Why is tracing such an effective learning tool? It helps beginners develop muscle memory for drawing shapes, lines, and proportions. Whether your child is just starting or already loves to sketch, this activity is a great way to refine their artistic skills while having fun.
Why You’ll Love "Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces"
After enjoying the Draw a Clown activity, take your creativity further with Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces! This book is packed with 50 different cartoon-style faces, ranging from silly and wacky to mischievous and cheerful. Each page provides a traceable outline of a goofy face, which can be traced, colored, and modified in unlimited imaginative ways.
Key Benefits of "Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces":
- Beginner-Friendly: The guided tracing method is perfect for kids who want to learn how to draw goofy and expressive faces.
- Encourages Creativity: While the book offers structured tracing, it also allows kids to personalize their artwork with different colors and details.
- Enhances Fine Motor Skills: Tracing and coloring help develop hand-eye coordination, making it an excellent activity for early learners.
- Screen-Free Fun: A great way to engage in a fun and relaxing art activity without relying on digital devices.
Free Activity Page (save and print):

Beyond One Book: The "Trace Then Color" Series
If you love Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces, you’ll be thrilled to know that it’s part of a much larger series! Trace Then Color books are designed to introduce young artists to the basics of drawing in an easy and engaging way. With 24 different themes (and more on the way), there’s a Trace Then Color book for every interest.
Other Fun Titles in the Series Include:
- Trace Then Color: Baby Animals – Perfect for little animal lovers!
- Trace Then Color: Weird Creatures – Full of strange and unusual characters.
- Trace Then Color: Robot Dinosaurs – A mix of futuristic fun and prehistoric creatures.
- Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals – Magical and whimsical tracing fun.
- Trace Then Color: Cartoon Robots – Perfect for aspiring robot designers.
Each book follows the same structured approach—trace, color, and create! Whether kids are interested in goofy faces, adorable animals, or sci-fi creatures, the Trace Then Color series provides endless opportunities for artistic exploration.
Why Tracing is a Great Way to Learn to Draw
Many professional artists start by tracing before they move on to freehand drawing. This technique helps build confidence, improve hand control, and reinforce the shapes and structures needed for more advanced artwork. The Trace Then Color series makes this learning process fun and accessible, helping young artists feel successful with every page they complete.
Whether you're looking for a great drawing activity for your child, a classroom resource, or just a fun way to relax and sketch, Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces is the perfect addition to your collection. And don’t forget to grab your free Draw a Clown activity page to get started!
Get Your Copy Today!
Ready to bring more goofy faces to life? Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces is available now, along with the entire Trace Then Color series. Start tracing, coloring, and creating today!
Sign up for my free newsletter to get more drawing pages like this right in your inbox! Click here.
Draw it 3 ways
Every FirstArtBooks theme comes in three formats. Trace it, draw it step by step, or copy it square by square: the more ways kids draw a character, the better they know it.
- How to Draw
How to Draw a Cartoon FaceSame theme · Ages 5+See all How to Draw books - Trace Then Color
Trace it, then color itYou’re on this pageSee all Trace Then Color books - Draw by Grid
Draw by Grid: A Goofy FaceSame theme · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a crowded bus or a line at the store.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
Everyone turned around because…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your clown a name and a job. What makes it happy, and what makes it grumpy? Write two or three sentences.
Print a draw-and-write sheet: a box for the drawing and lines for the story. Primary lines (K–2) · Regular lines (grades 2–5)
Want to make it a whole story? Try the comic story starter or fold a mini-book in Story Studio.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- The eyes sit too high on the head.
- On a real head, the eyes are halfway down. Draw a light line across the middle and put the eyes on it.
- The expression is hard to read.
- Eyebrows do most of the work. Tilt them down in the middle for angry, up in the middle for worried.
- The ears are in the wrong place.
- The tops of the ears line up with the eyes, and the bottoms line up with the nose.
- Tracing too fast and slipping off the line.
- Slow down on curves and corners. Try putting a finger from the other hand next to the line as a guide.
More in 10 common drawing mistakes kids make.
Talk about it
For the grown-up: ask one or two of these while your child draws. There are no wrong answers.
- How is this face feeling? What could have happened to make it feel that way?
- Can you make that face too? Which part of your face changes most?
- What would you change if you drew it again tomorrow?
- Which part are you proudest of?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this tracing page
What age is this clown tracing page for?
Ages 3 and up (about grades Pre-K to K). It is a good first drawing activity for preschoolers, and older kids enjoy the coloring.
How long does it take?
About 10 minutes. Kids who add their own details or a background often keep going longer.
What supplies do you need?
The printed page; pencil; crayons, markers or colored pencils. Chunky crayons or washable markers are easiest for small hands.
What size does it print?
US Letter (8.5 by 11 inches). Use Print this page or Download PDF above. On A4 paper, choose “Fit to page” in the print settings.
Is tracing cheating?
No. Tracing builds pencil control and shows how a drawing is put together. When it feels easy, try drawing the character again next to it without tracing.
For teachers: grade, timing and standards
Grades Pre–K-K, about 10 minutes. Trace then color, beginner level.
National Core Arts Standards (visual arts)
- VA:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work: students practice control of drawing tools by tracing.
- VA:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas: students make their own color choices.
See every lesson by standard, plus the math in grid drawing, on the arts standards map.
Copies: print as many as your class needs. More in the teacher resources, the Funny Faces hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Christmas Drawing Pack
10 printable Christmas pages to draw, trace, color and decorate, sent with your welcome email. After that, Kevin’s newsletter brings new free pages and book news.
Take the idea into a book
Want more characters to draw, trace or color? Explore these related books and see which approach fits your next creative session.

Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Robots
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Trace Then Color: Robot Dinosaurs
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 14 free cartoon people drawing lessons and pages →
Another idea to try
Drawing tipsColoring Books for Boys That Go Beyond the Ordinary: Trace, Create, and Laugh Along the Way
Coloring Books for Boys That Are Actually Fun: Trace, Create, and Get Weird If you’ve been browsing for coloring books for boys , you already know…
Free activitiesNew Release - Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters by Kevin Coulston
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters by Kevin Coulston Buy Now on Amazon New Activity Book! Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters…
Free activitiesTrace Then Color A Grumpy Cartoon Face (Free Activity Page)
Trace Then Color: Grumpy Faces offers 50 fun and unique cartoon faces to trace and color, providing hours of laughter and creativity for kids aged 3+…
