Some kids love cute. Others love strange. Weird creature pages are for kids who like tentacles, extra eyes and things nobody has seen before.
Why weird is wonderful
- No rules. There’s no "right" color for a creature nobody has seen.
- Bold choices. Kids try colors they wouldn’t use on a cat or a car.
- Imagination. Every creature needs a story.
Coloring ideas
- Glow-in-the-dark look. Bright colors on a dark background.
- Camouflage. How would it hide in its habitat?
- Warning colors. Bright yellow and black, like a wasp. See animal camouflage colors.
- Textures. Slime, scales, fuzz and bumps. See coloring fur, scales and metal.
Pages to try
- Trace Then Color: Weird Creatures for truly strange beasts
- Trace Then Color: Mutant Animals for funny animal mash-ups. See mix-and-match animal coloring.
- Trace Then Color: Crusty Goobers 2 for goofy, gross characters
Creature profile
Have kids fill in a card after coloring:
- Name
- Where it lives
- What it eats
- Special power
- Is it friendly?
Creature museum
Hang everyone’s creatures with their profile cards like a museum exhibit. Kids love reading each other’s.
Weird creatures are a good fit for kids who find traditional coloring boring.
Questions parents ask
Are weird creatures scary?
Cartoon creatures are more funny than scary. Let kids choose.
What age suits weird creatures?
Ages 5 and up especially.
Do creatures help with writing?
Yes. Creature profiles and stories are great, low-pressure writing practice.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
