Get ready to draw a slow and steady friend! Turtles are amazing reptiles known for their sturdy, patterned shells. This easy drawing guide uses simple ovals and curves to show you how to draw a cute cartoon sea turtle with flippers, ready for an ocean adventure!
I’ve also made a special, free PDF drawing sheet just for you! You can print it out and follow the simple steps to draw your own super cute turtle. There’s a space right on the page for you to practice your new drawing skills and make your turtle buddy come to life!
So, grab a pencil, and let’s start drawing your turtle!
More Drawing Related to Turtle
Easy 6-Step Turtle Drawing + Free PDF Practice Worksheet
Follow these six simple steps to draw a cute cartoon turtle!
Drawing Materials
- Paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Our Turtle Drawing Guide PDF Worksheet (optional)
Start by drawing lightly so that you can easily erase if you make any mistakes.
Step 1: Draw the Head Outline
Start by drawing a medium-sized circle for the head.
Step 2: Draw the Turtle’s Shell Outline
Attached to the back of the head, draw a large, wide oval shape for the shell (carapace).
Step 3: Add the Shell Details and Plates
Draw two curved lines just inside the outer edge of the large oval to create a border for the shell. Then, draw a pattern of large, rounded shapes (like hexagons or ovals) inside this border for the scutes (shell plates).
Step 4: Draw the Turtle’s Flippers and Tail
Draw two flippers sticking out from the front of the shell. These flippers should look like curved, wide paddles, slightly pointed at the ends. Add small dots or texture marks on the flippers.
Draw a small curved triangle from the back of the body to indicate the tail.
Erase any part of the body outline where the flippers attach to make it look connected.
Step 5: Add Face Details
Let’s give our turtle a cute face!
- Add two small circles for the eyes with tiny dots inside for the pupils.
- Draw a smooth, curved line for the turtle’s happy smile.
- Draw a small oval on the side of the mouth for the turtle’s rosy cheek.
Step 6: Color Your Graceful Turtle!
It’s time to add color! Color the head, neck, and flippers a light green. Color the main shell area brown or yellow-green, and use yellow for the round scutes inside the shell.
Turtle Time! Download Your Free PDF Drawing Sheet!
Ready to bring a cute, slow-moving turtle to life on your paper? Download our super fun, free PDF worksheet and follow the easy steps. There’s plenty of space to practice your sketching skills and create your own amazing ocean masterpiece. Get your green and brown colors ready and let your imagination swim free!
Click below to get your printable worksheet and have fun drawing!
Terms of Use: You can print as many copies as you need for your kids, students, or groups. To share, please link to this page. Please don’t sell, email, post, or share these files in any other way. Thank you!
Turtle drawing worksheet pdfDive into Fun with 38 Free Turtle Coloring Pages!
Want to color the coolest turtles around? You’re in luck! We have 38 FREE printable PDF coloring sheets ready for you. From tiny baby turtles to big sea turtles, there are tons of designs waiting for your crayons and markers. Just download, print, and start coloring your new turtle friends today!
5 Ways to Make Your Turtle Drawing More Fun!
Draw an Ocean Background: Add some bubbles and seaweed, around the sea turtle.
Add Accessories: Draw a tiny pair of sunglasses resting on its nose.
Give It Speed Lines: Draw small, wavy lines behind the flippers to show it swimming fast.
Change the Colors: Instead of orange, use different colors on the shell plates for a colorful and fun look.
Draw Fish Friends: Add a group of fish floating near the turtle.
How to Fix Common Turtle Drawing Mistakes
- Head Size: The head in Step 1 should be significantly smaller than the shell oval.
- Shell Shape: Ensure the shell outline is a smooth, wide oval, not too pointed or too narrow.
- Flippers: Remember to draw flippers in Step 4, making them look broad and paddle-like for swimming.
- Shell Pattern: The scutes (plates) in Step 3 should be spaced evenly across the shell surface.
Helpful Turtle Drawing Tips and Tricks For Kids
- Color Shading: When coloring, use a slightly darker green near the edges of the flippers to give them depth.
- Textured Dots: The small dots you added in Step 4 on the flippers are great for making the skin look textured and real.
- Friendly Expression: Focus on making the eyes big and the smile wide to capture the gentle personality of a cartoon turtle.
- Practice Ovals: Since the head, body, and shell pattern rely heavily on ovals and circles, practicing these shapes will make your turtle look perfect.
Turtle Fun Facts for Kids
- Long Lifespan: Many sea turtles can live for over 50 years, and some land tortoises can live for over 100 years!
- A Hard Home: The turtle’s shell is actually part of its skeleton, made of bone and cartilage, and it’s connected to its spine.
- Speed Underwater: While slow on land, sea turtles are very fast and graceful swimmers in the ocean.
- Ancient Creatures: Turtles have been around for a very long time, for over 200 million years! They lived at the same time as the dinosaurs.
More Fun Drawing Guides:
Explore our How to Draw a Butterfly for Kids
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Looking for more fun animal drawings? Check out our How to Draw Animals Tutorials for more easy step-by-step guides to drawing animals.
