Trace and Color a Weird Creature (Free Printable for Kids)
Trace the outline of this weird creature, 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: Weird Creatures.
- 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 silly, strange creatures in this imaginative activity book that’s perfect for sparking creativity in kids ages 3 and up!
Trace Then Color: Weird Creatures is a fun and imaginative activity book that brings hours of creative fun to kids!
Free Activity Page:
This 106-page tracing and coloring book lets young artists explore their imaginations with 50 unique creatures to trace and color. With easy-to-follow tracing guides, it’s perfect for young children but engaging enough for older kids too. Ideal for ages 3+, this book nurtures creativity, boosts artistic confidence, and encourages kids to add their own colorful twists and names to each creature. Are they aliens or monsters? The mystery is part of the fun!
Whether for a rainy day, quiet afternoon, or family activity, Trace Then Color: Weird Creatures is the perfect way to inspire creativity and engage your child in imaginative play.
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 TrollSame 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 A Weird Creature by GridThe same character · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a town where all the people are tiny.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
It tried to tiptoe, but…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your weird creature 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 looks scary when you wanted silly.
- Make the eyes big and round and the teeth small and square. Big eyes make any monster friendly.
- All the parts are crowded together.
- Draw the body big first, and leave room for arms, horns and feet around it.
- The horns or arms don’t match.
- Draw one side, then the other right away while you still remember the size.
- 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.
- Is this monster scary, silly or shy? What makes you think so?
- What does this monster like to eat for breakfast?
- Which part are you proudest of?
- What colors will you use, and why?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this tracing page
What age is this weird creature 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 Monsters hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Monster Drawing Pack
12 printable monster 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: Weird Creatures
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 26 free monster drawing lessons and pages →
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