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How to Draw a Turtle

A cute turtle with a round patterned shell, four short legs and a tiny tail in 6 easy steps. In each step the black lines are new and the gray lines are what you have already drawn. Every turtle here comes with four free printables: the steps on one page, a turtle to trace, a coloring page and a draw and write sheet.

Cute turtle, colored in

Cute turtle

Ages 4 to 8. A turtle walking along, seen from the side. The black lines are new in each step; the gray lines are already drawn.

  1. Cute turtle step 1: Draw the shell: a big dome shape.Step 1Draw the shell: a big dome shape.
  2. Cute turtle step 2: Draw the rim of the shell along the bottom.Step 2Draw the rim of the shell along the bottom.
  3. Cute turtle step 3: Draw the round head poking out at the front, with an eye and a smile.Step 3Draw the round head poking out at the front, with an eye and a smile.
  4. Cute turtle step 4: Draw the shapes on the shell.Step 4Draw the shapes on the shell.
  5. Cute turtle step 5: Add four short legs under the shell.Step 5Add four short legs under the shell.
  6. Cute turtle step 6: Finish with a tiny pointed tail.Step 6Finish with a tiny pointed tail.
  7. The finished cute turtle, colored inDone!Color it in. Ours is green with a brown shell, but yours can be any color.

Free printables for the cute turtle

Cute turtle: Step by Step worksheet preview Steps

Cute turtle: Step by Step

All 6 steps on one page, with a big box to draw your turtle in.

Download PDF Cute turtle: Trace and Draw worksheet preview Trace

Cute turtle: Trace and Draw

Trace the gray turtle first, then draw one on your own underneath.

Download PDF Cute turtle: Coloring Page worksheet preview Coloring

Cute turtle: Coloring Page

The finished turtle, big and in black and white, ready to color.

Download PDF Cute turtle: Draw and Write worksheet preview Draw and write

Cute turtle: Draw and Write

Draw a turtle in the box, then write about it on the lines.

Download PDF

Tips for drawing with kids

  1. Pencil firstDraw lightly with a pencil, then go over the lines you like with a marker or a dark crayon and erase the rest.
  2. Say it as you drawRead each step out loud, draw it, then look at the picture again before the next one.
  3. Fill the spaceYoung children draw small. Show where the first shape goes so the turtle fills the box.
  4. Wobbly is fineEvery turtle looks different, and a wobbly turtle is still a turtle. Praise the try, then color it in.

About this turtle drawing

The shell is the biggest part, so it comes first. The head and legs poke out from under the shell, which is why they are drawn after it. The shapes on the shell can be any pattern you like.

For more sea and pond animals, try how to draw a fish and how to draw a frog.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you draw an easy turtle?

Draw a dome for the shell and a band along the bottom for the rim. Add a round head at the front, shapes on the shell, four short legs and a tiny tail.

What are the shapes on a turtle shell called?

They are called scutes. They are made of keratin, the same material as fingernails.

What age is this for?

Ages 4 to 8.

How do I print the sheets?

Each card downloads a PDF. Print it on US Letter paper at 100 percent (actual size). The sheets are black and white, so they print well on any printer.