Trace and Color a Cartoon Dog (Free Printable for Kids)
Trace the outline of this cartoon dog, 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: Cartoon Cats & Dogs.
- 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
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Cats & Dogs offers 50 adorable cartoon cats and dogs for kids aged 3+ to trace and color, sparking creativity and providing hours of fun for the whole family!
50 Cartoon Cats & Dogs to Trace and Color!
This fun tracing and coloring book lets your child draw and color their favorite Cats and Dogs—whether it’s puppies, kittens, or any furry friend! With 50 different cartoon cats and dogs to explore, your budding artist will enjoy hours of creative fun in this engaging activity book.
Trace and Color A Cartoon Dog - Free Activity Page:
5 Reasons Your Kids Will Love This Book:
- Easy-to-follow tracing pages – Perfect for young artists
- Unique, funny cartoon animals
- Encourages imagination and creativity
- Nurtures artistic talent
- Provides hours of entertainment!
Ideal for children aged 3 and up, this book is fun for the whole family and is a great way to inspire creativity and imagination.
Upcoming Events:
Verde Valley Comic Expo Shape Drawing Challenge With Kevin Coulston March, 29th 2025 11:00am + Exhibit Hall All Day Cottonwood Recreation Center 150 S. 6th St Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phoenix Fan Fusion Shape Drawing Challenge With Kevin Coulston June, 7th 2025 12:00pm + Exhibit Hall All Weekend Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix, AZ
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 Silly Cartoon DogThe same character · 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
Cartoon Dog Drawing TutorialThe same character · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Fun facts about the real dog
- A dog's sense of smell is many times stronger than a person's.
- Dogs sweat through the pads on their paws and cool off by panting.
- Every dog's nose print is different, like a fingerprint.
Draw your dog, then add one of these facts in a speech bubble or on the back of the page.
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a busy zoo with a ticket booth.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
Nobody noticed the gate was open, so…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your trace & color a cartoon dog a name. Where does it live, and what does it love to do? 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 head is too small for a cartoon look.
- Cartoon animals are cute because their heads are big. Make the head almost as big as the body.
- The eyes are too far apart.
- Keep the eyes close together near the middle of the face. Leave about one eye’s width between them.
- The legs don’t line up with the body.
- Draw the legs straight down from the bottom of the body, so the animal looks like it’s standing on the ground.
- 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.
- Where does this animal live, and what does it eat?
- If this animal could talk, what would its voice sound like?
- What name fits this character?
- Which step was the trickiest? What did you do to get past it?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this tracing page
What age is this trace & color a cartoon dog 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 Animals hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Animal Drawing Pack
12 printable animal pages to draw, trace and color, 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: Cartoon Cats & Dogs
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 13 free cat and dog drawing lessons and pages →
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