Trace and Color a Sea Turtle (Free Printable for Kids)
Trace the outline of this sea turtle, 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: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More.
- 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 A Sea Turtle with the Free Activity Page Below
Dive into Creativity with Trace Then Color: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More!
Looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce your child to drawing? Trace Then Color: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More is the perfect activity book for young artists who love the ocean! With 50 underwater creatures to trace and color, this book makes learning to draw easy and exciting.
Explore the Wonders of the Deep!
From graceful dolphins and colorful clownfish to mysterious jellyfish and mighty sharks, this book is packed with a variety of fun sea animals waiting to be brought to life. Each illustration is designed with simple tracing lines, helping kids improve their drawing skills while having a blast!
Why Kids Will Love This Book
1. Easy-to-Follow Tracing Pages
Designed for beginners, kids can follow the outlines to build confidence in their drawing abilities.
2. A Sea Full of Cute and Cool Creatures
Discover everything from playful octopuses to majestic sea turtles and adorable seahorses!
3. Encourages Creativity and Imagination
After tracing, kids can let their imagination run wild with colors, creating their own unique ocean scenes.
4. Helps Develop Fine Motor Skills
Tracing and coloring are great activities for improving hand-eye coordination and pencil control.
5. Perfect for All Young Ocean Lovers
Great for kids ages 4 and up, this book provides hours of screen-free entertainment and artistic fun.
Free Activity Page:
A Great Way to Learn and Have Fun
Whether at home, on road trips, or as a rainy-day activity, Trace Then Color: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More is a fantastic way to introduce kids to the wonders of the ocean while helping them develop essential drawing skills.
Start Tracing and Coloring Today!
Let your child dive into an ocean of creativity with Trace Then Color: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More! Grab some pencils or crayons and watch as they bring their favorite sea creatures to life!
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 an AnglerfishSame 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
How to Draw a Baby LobsterSame theme · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Fun facts about the real turtle
- A turtle's shell is part of its skeleton, so it can't climb out of it.
- Sea turtles return to the same beaches to lay their eggs.
- Turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs.
Draw your turtle, 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 submarine with round windows.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The people inside waved, 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 sea turtle 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 fins look stuck on.
- Start each fin inside the body line, then curve it out, so it grows from the body.
- The tail is too small to swim.
- Make the tail almost as tall as the body: it’s how sea creatures push through water.
- The creature floats in empty space.
- Add a few bubbles, a wavy sand line or some seaweed so it looks like it’s under water.
- 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 deep in the ocean do you think this creature lives?
- How does it move through the water: fins, tail, legs or jets?
- 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 trace & color a sea turtle 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 Sea Creature Drawing Pack
12 printable sea creature 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: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 23 free sea creature drawing lessons and pages →
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