Little Lion

Printable trace-and-color lion: follow the dotted scalloped mane and fur lines, then color the friendly face. A medium-level page for ages 5–8.

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👶 Age

Ages 5–8

⭐ Difficulty

★★☆ Medium

⏱️ Time

15–25 minutes

🖍️ Collection

Trace & Color

🎯 Theme

Wild animals

About this activity

A smiling lion looks straight out of the page. Its fluffy mane, the rings around the eyes and many of the fur lines are dotted, while the nose, smile, ears and whiskers are drawn solid. The scalloped mane is a chain of small curves and points, so this page asks for more patience than a simple shape.

Skills this page builds

• Small, controlled curvesThe scalloped mane is a chain of tiny bumps that calls for slow, deliberate turns of the pencil.
• PersistenceThere are many dotted lines to finish, so children practice sticking with a task until it is done.
• Noticing detailTelling dotted lines from solid ones trains careful looking before the pencil moves.

How to do this activity

1. Print the page and pick a pencil with a fairly sharp tip for the small curves of the mane.
2. Start with the two rings around the eyes. They are closed shapes, so they are easy to finish.
3. Trace the mane outline next, one scallop at a time, then the fur lines inside it. Take a break halfway if little hands get tired.
4. Color the face and the mane. Yellows, oranges and browns look natural, but any colors work. Don’t forget the grass tufts.

Tips for parents and teachers

• Split the page over two sittings if your child tires. The page waits for you.
• Colored pencils suit the thin fur lines, while crayons are better for the large areas.
• Ask for a soft roar after each section is finished to keep the mood light.
• Use the lion as a starting point to talk about wild animals and where they live.

Frequently asked questions

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