How to Draw a Mer-Kitten (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this mer-kitten step by step with a pencil and eraser. It takes about 15 minutes and works for ages 5 and up. Follow the steps below, or draw along with the video.

- Step-by-step drawing
- Ages 5+
- Grades K–2
- Easy
- About 15 min with the video
You’ll need
- Pencil and eraser
- Paper, or the printed page
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
You’ll practice
- Breaking a drawing into simple shapes
- Following steps in order
- Adding your own details
Learn to Draw a Mer-Kitten with This Free Video Tutorial!
Get ready for a magical drawing adventure! We’re offering a free video tutorial teaching kids how to draw an adorable mer-kitten, a charming half-kitten, half-mermaid creature. This step-by-step guide makes it easy for young artists to bring their very own mer-kitten to life, no matter their skill level. All they need is a pencil, some paper, and their creativity!
This enchanting tutorial is inspired by the book Trace Then Color: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff, a delightful activity book designed for kids who love all things magical and adorable. With tracing and coloring pages featuring mermaids, unicorns, and other cute characters, this book is perfect for developing fine motor skills and encouraging artistic expression.
What’s Inside Trace Then Color: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff?
This 106-page activity book is packed with delightful illustrations waiting to be traced and colored. Whether your child is just starting to explore drawing or already loves to create, they’ll have a blast bringing these magical creatures to life.
Each page is designed to help kids improve their drawing skills while having fun. By following the tracing guides, children learn to recognize shapes, refine their control over a pencil, and gain confidence in their artistic abilities. The variety of characters keeps things exciting, from graceful mermaids swimming through enchanted seas to playful unicorns prancing in mystical landscapes. The book also includes plenty of room for creativity, allowing kids to add their own details, backgrounds, and color choices.
Why Kids Love This Book:
✅ Tracing helps improve drawing confidence – Perfect for beginners! ✅ Whimsical characters including mermaids, unicorns, and other fantasy friends. ✅ Encourages creativity and artistic growth. ✅ A relaxing, screen-free activity for kids aged 4 and up. ✅ Great for car rides, quiet afternoons, and family fun! ✅ Encourages storytelling by inspiring kids to imagine new adventures for the characters. ✅ Perfect for independent learning or guided activities with parents and teachers.
The Benefits of Tracing for Young Artists
Tracing isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful learning tool for kids. It helps them develop:
- Hand-eye coordination by following lines carefully.
- Fine motor skills, essential for writing and detailed artwork.
- Artistic confidence, as they see their skills improve with practice.
- Creativity, allowing them to experiment with colors and designs.
- Pattern recognition, as they begin to notice how different shapes come together to form a picture.
- Patience and focus, as they carefully work through each tracing activity.
Tracing also serves as a stepping stone to freehand drawing. By first tracing simple shapes and lines, children become more comfortable with the structure of different objects, which helps them draw independently over time. This gradual skill-building process ensures that even kids who are new to drawing can experience success and enjoyment from their artistic efforts.
Ways to Make the Most of This Book
Parents and teachers can use Trace Then Color: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff in creative ways to make learning extra fun. Here are a few ideas:
- Themed Art Time – Pair the book with a discussion about mythical creatures and let kids invent their own characters!
- Coloring Contests – Let children trace and color their pages, then showcase their work for family and friends.
- Storytelling Challenges – Have kids create a short story or comic strip featuring the characters they’ve traced.
- DIY Greeting Cards – Kids can trace, color, and cut out characters to make their own greeting cards.
- Scrapbooking & Collages – Combine traced images with other decorations for a fun mixed-media project.

Make Learning to Draw Fun!
The mer-kitten video tutorial is a fantastic way to introduce kids to drawing while giving them a taste of what Trace Then Color: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff has to offer. Whether your child loves magical creatures, enjoys coloring, or wants to improve their drawing skills, this book is a wonderful addition to their collection.
Drawing and coloring aren’t just hobbies—they’re essential for a child’s growth and self-expression. Activities like these help children build confidence, develop patience, and find joy in being creative. Plus, they provide a relaxing break from screens, making them a great alternative to digital entertainment.
So, why not give your little artist a fun and engaging way to practice their drawing skills? With a free mer-kitten drawing tutorial and an entire book filled with delightful characters to trace and color, there’s no limit to the magical creations they can make!
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
Draw it step by stepYou’re on this pageSee all How to Draw books - Trace Then Color
Trace Then Color: A Uni-MonkeySame theme · Ages 3+See all Trace Then Color books - Draw by Grid
How to Draw a Giraffe with a Unicorn HornSame theme · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw the other animal it’s half of, meeting it for the first time.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
They looked at each other and said…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your mer-kitten 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.
- Pressing hard from the very first step.
- Use light, sketchy lines first. You can erase them easily and go over the lines you keep at the end.
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 drawing lesson
What age is this mer-kitten drawing lesson for?
Ages 5 and up (about grades K to 2). Younger kids can follow along with a grown-up, one step at a time.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes, including time to pause the video. Kids who add their own details or a background often keep going longer.
What supplies do you need?
Pencil and eraser; paper, or the printed page; crayons, markers or colored pencils.
What size does it print?
Nothing needs printing: draw along on any paper, Letter or A4.
Can kids draw the mer-kitten without printing the page?
Yes. Draw on any paper and copy one step at a time from the screen, or pause the video after each step.
For teachers: grade, timing and standards
Grades K–2, about 15 minutes. Step-by-step drawing, easy level. The video does the teaching: press play and let students draw along.
National Core Arts Standards (visual arts)
- VA:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work: students build drawing skills by following a sequence of steps.
- VA:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work: students add their own details, expressions and color to finish the character.
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: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff
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 15 free animal mashup drawing lessons and pages →
Another idea to try
Free activitiesFree Activity Page: Find The Mer-Puppy in This Mermaid Maze
Get Lost in a Mermaid Maze and Discover a World of Cute Creativity If you’ve been looking for a creative and screen-free way to keep your kids…
Free activitiesNew Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw a Baby Elephant in 5 Minutes
How to Draw a Baby Elephant – Free Step-by-Step Video Tutorial If you love drawing cute animals, today’s post is going to make you smile. I’m excited…
Free activitiesVideo Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw A Baby Flamingo
How to Draw A Baby Flamingo – Video Tutorial + Tracing Fun from Trace Then Color: Baby Animals If you're looking for an easy and fun way to teach…
