Trace and Color a Cute Mermaid (Free Printable for Kids)
Trace the outline of this cute mermaid, 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: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff.
- 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 and Color 50 adorable mermaids, unicorns, and other cute characters in this fun activity book, designed to inspire creativity and provide hours of artistic fun!
Fun Tracing and Coloring Book for Kids – Draw and Color 50 Cute Characters!
This delightful tracing and coloring book will let your child create 50 different adorable cartoon characters, including mermaids, unicorns, cats, food, and more. With hours of fun packed inside, it’s perfect for keeping young artists engaged!
Free Activity Page:
5 Reasons Your Kids Will Love This Book:
- Easy-to-follow tracing pages – Ideal for beginners
- Unique and funny artwork – Exclusive to this series
- Encourages imagination and creativity
- Helps develop artistic talent
- Provides hours of entertainment!
Perfect for children aged 3 and up, this book is a fun, family-friendly way to nurture creativity and inspire young minds.
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 Cute MermaidThe 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 GridDraw by Grid booksCopy it square by squareNo free page of this one yet. See the Draw by Grid books (ages 7+)
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a starry night sky.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
It made a wish on a shooting star, and…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your cute mermaid 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 horn or tail is too small.
- The horn and the tail are the magic part, so make them big and bold.
- The hair or mane is one solid blob.
- Draw it in a few wavy sections, like ribbons, instead of one big shape.
- It looks plain once it’s colored.
- Add sparkles, stars or a rainbow pattern in the mane, tail or wings.
- 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.
- What magic power does this character have?
- Where would you go if you could ride on its back for a day?
- What shapes can you find in your drawing?
- What would you change if you drew it again tomorrow?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this tracing page
What age is this cute mermaid 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 Unicorns & Mermaids hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Unicorns, Mermaids and Mashups Pack
12 printable unicorn, mermaid and mashup 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.
More like this: all 7 free unicorn and mermaid drawing lessons and pages →
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