Trace and Color a Mutant Turtle Cyclops (Free Printable for Kids)
Trace the outline of this mutant turtle cyclops, 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: Mutant Animals.

- 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
Color a Mutant Turtle and Explore a World of Wacky Creatures
If you like drawing and coloring strange, imaginative creatures, you’re going to love this: I’ve got a free page straight from my book Trace Then Color: Mutant Animals featuring a one-eyed mutant turtle. That’s right—you can color a mutant turtle with a single cycloptic eye, a twisted shell, and lots of little details that make him totally weird and totally fun.
The free page is a perfect example of what you’ll find throughout the book. First, you trace the drawing to build confidence with lines and shapes. Then, you color it however you want—go wild with bright colors, or go for something more reptilian and earthy. Either way, this cycloptic turtle is ready for you to bring him to life.
About Trace Then Color: Mutant Animals
This book is part of my "Trace Then Color" series, and it’s packed with all kinds of freaky, funny, and wild mutant animals. From tentacled birds to fish with fangs, and yes, plenty more mutant turtles, every page gives kids a chance to practice their drawing skills while having a blast.
The concept is simple: trace the picture, then color it in. It’s a great way for beginner artists to build drawing confidence without starting from a blank page. That structure makes it easier to focus on line work, shapes, and proportion—while still having plenty of fun.
Why This Book Works for So Many Kids
When I was designing Trace Then Color: Mutant Animals, I wanted to make something that would feel fun and imaginative, but also low-pressure. You don’t have to get it perfect. The whole idea is to get kids used to the feel of drawing while letting them play with creative ideas like extra limbs, goofy eyes, or mixed-up animal combos.
So who is this book for? It’s made for:
- Kids just starting out with drawing
- Fans of funny, offbeat creatures
- Parents looking for screen-free creative time
- Teachers who want something different for their art table
It’s also great for kids who feel stuck with a blank page. Tracing helps reduce that fear of messing up because the lines are already there. Once they trace a few mutant animals, they start to build confidence and often begin drawing on their own, unprompted.
Color a Mutant Turtle and So Much More
The cycloptic turtle is just the beginning. Inside Trace Then Color: Mutant Animals, you’ll find 30+ creatures that don’t exist in the real world, but totally should. Some are silly. Some are weird. Some are just plain creepy. And every single one is ready to be traced and colored by young artists who want something a little different.
This is one of those books where you can color a mutant turtle on one page, and a three-eyed duck-lizard hybrid on the next. Every spread is a surprise, which makes it super fun for kids who like quirky or unexpected characters.
And while it’s all a little wild, it’s also a sneaky way to build real drawing skills. Tracing helps with:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Line confidence
- Understanding how complex shapes come together
- Learning to observe and mimic forms
So yes, they’ll color a mutant turtle—and have fun doing it—but they’ll also be growing as artists without even realizing it.

About the Trace Then Color Series
Right now, the Trace Then Color series includes 24 different themes, with more on the way. Each book is designed to make drawing less intimidating and more accessible. You trace the characters, color them in, and before you know it, you’ve created your own art.
Some books focus on sweet and simple stuff like baby animals or cartoon food. Others go into strange territory, like goofy faces, weird creatures, or crusty goobers. No matter what the theme, the goal is the same: make drawing fun, approachable, and pressure-free.
If you want to help a beginner artist build confidence, these books are a solid place to start. They don’t teach drawing in a strict way—they ease kids into the habit of making lines, shapes, and characters. That’s what really matters when you’re getting started.
Try the Free Page and Start Today
If you’re curious about the book, the best place to start is with the free cycloptic turtle page. You get a real taste of what the book is all about: a mix of weird creativity, structured drawing practice, and coloring fun. Just print it out, grab a pencil and some markers or crayons, and dive in.
Free Activity Page (save and print):

There are lots of ways to color a mutant turtle. Make him bright green with purple eyes, or give him metallic armor and red scales. Whatever you decide, the point is to enjoy the process. Once your kid finishes the turtle, they’ll probably want to try a few more—and the book will be right there, full of mutant animals to trace and color next.
Thanks for checking out the freebie, and I hope it gets your young artist excited to color a mutant turtle and a whole lot more!
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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 Grumpy CyclopsA close cousin · 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
Cyclops Teddy Bear Monster Grid Drawing ExerciseA close cousin · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a pet show with a judge holding a ribbon.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The judge had never seen anything like it…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your mutant turtle cyclops 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
- It’s hard to tell which two animals it is.
- Keep the most famous part of each animal clear: the horn, the trunk, the stripes or the tail.
- The two halves don’t join.
- Draw one smooth body line where the animals meet, then add details on each side.
- Too many details at once.
- Draw the big shapes first. Spots, stripes and scales come last.
- 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.
- Which two animals is this made of? Which parts came from each?
- What would you mix together to invent a new animal?
- 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 mutant turtle cyclops 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 Animal Mashups 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.

Trace Then Color: Mutant Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Mutant Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 15 free animal mashup drawing lessons and pages →
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