How to Draw a Pufferfish (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this pufferfish 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. The page comes from Kevin Coulston’s book How To Draw: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More.
- 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 over 50 fun fish and sea creatures including the pufferfish (or blowfish) below with simple, step-by-step instructions. Perfect for kids aged 5+ to spark creativity and build drawing skills!
Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw A Pufferfish
How to Draw: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More is a delightful step-by-step drawing guide that will take your child on an underwater adventure filled with creativity and learning! Designed for young artists aged 5 and up, this 106-page book will teach your budding artist how to draw a variety of fun and fascinating sea creatures, including fish, sharks, dolphins, whales, jellyfish, octopuses, and much more!
Each character is broken down into six easy-to-follow steps, allowing children to build their confidence as they master each drawing. Whether your child is a beginner or has been doodling for a while, this book provides simple, clear instructions that make learning to draw an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Why Your Kids Will Love This Book:
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Every sea creature is broken down into six simple steps, making it easy for young artists to follow along and succeed in their drawings.
- Fun and Engaging Artwork: Your child will love drawing their favorite sea animals in fun and quirky cartoon styles.
- Encourages Creativity: This book sparks the imagination, encouraging children to invent stories and bring their underwater adventures to life through art.
- Boosts Confidence: As kids complete each drawing, they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, which nurtures their artistic talents and builds their self-esteem.
- Hours of Creative Fun: With over 50 different sea creatures to draw, your child will stay engaged for hours, all while enhancing their drawing skills.
Whether your child loves fish, dolphins, or sharks, How to Draw: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More is the perfect book to inspire creativity and provide endless drawing fun. This book is also great for parents who want to share in the artistic journey, making it a wonderful family activity.
Perfect for classrooms, rainy days, or as a fun creative outlet at home, this drawing guide is sure to become a favorite! Grab your pencils, dive in, and let the underwater adventure begin!
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 & Color A Sea TurtleSame theme · Ages 3+See 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 pufferfish
- A pufferfish puffs up into a spiky ball by filling its stomach with water.
- Puffing up makes it too big and prickly for most predators to swallow.
- Pufferfish swim slowly, so puffing up is how they stay safe.
Draw your pufferfish, 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 rock pool at the beach.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The tide went out and left it…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your pufferfish 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.
- 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.
- How deep in the ocean do you think this creature lives?
- How does it move through the water: fins, tail, legs or jets?
- What name fits this character?
- Which step was the trickiest? What did you do to get past it?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this drawing lesson
What age is this pufferfish 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 pufferfish 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 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.
How To Draw: Fish, Sea Creatures, and More
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 23 free sea creature drawing lessons and pages →
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