Happy Dolphin
Printable trace-and-color dolphin: trace the dotted body, fin and waves, then color the leaping dolphin and its splashes. An easy page for ages 4–6.
- 👶 Age
- Ages 4–6
- ⭐ Difficulty
- Easy
- ⏱️ Time
- 10–20 minutes
- 🖍️ Collection
- Trace & Color
- 🎯 Theme
- Ocean animals
About this activity
A smiling dolphin leaps out of the sea with drops of water flying around it. The long curve of its body, the top fin and some of the waves are dotted for tracing, while the eye, the smile, the flipper and the splashes are already solid. The flowing outline gives children a long, smooth curve to follow.
Skills this page builds
- Following long curvesThe dolphin has few corners, so children practice one long, flowing line instead of many short ones.
- Relaxed wrist movementTracing the body and the waves encourages a loose, flowing movement of the wrist.
- Exploring color mixingLayering blue, teal and purple on the dolphin and the sea shows how colors blend.
How to do this activity
- Print the page and choose a pencil or a crayon for tracing.
- Begin at the dolphin’s nose and trace the dotted outline of the body, working around the fin and the tail.
- Trace the dotted waves at the bottom of the page.
- Color the dolphin, the water drops and the sea. Try two different blues for the water.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Draw a wave in the air with a finger first, then on the paper with a pencil.
- Use a light blue for the splashes and a darker blue for the waves so they stand out.
- Dolphins are mammals that breathe air at the surface, a good moment to connect the picture with a little science.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a good first trace-and-color page?
Yes. The dolphin has a clear shape with few corners, so it is one of the easier pages in the collection, along with Blast-Off Rocket.
Can we use markers or paint?
Standard printer paper works best with pencils and crayons. If you want to use markers or watercolors, print on thicker paper so the color does not bleed through.