easy animal drawings to trace

Easy Animal Drawings for Kids: Traceable Templates

By Andrew SmithMarch 23, 2026

Unleash the artist within you with these easy animal drawings to trace! Whether you're a beginner or looking for fun projects to do with kids, tracing simple animal outlines is an excellent way to develop your drawing skills. Here, we've gathered some of the easiest animal drawings to get you started.

Tracing animal drawings not only makes the process enjoyable but also helps you grasp basic shapes and forms. You'll be surprised at how much you'll improve with just a little bit of practice. So, grab your pencils, papers, and let's dive into these captivating creature doodles!

Beginner-Friendly Animal Drawings to Trace

Here are some of the simplest animal drawings to trace, perfect for beginners and young artists.

a drawing of a giraffe's head with long neck and large eyes

a black and white drawing of a penguin with one eye open, looking at the camera

🐭 60 Cute Easy Animals To Draw For Beginners

Start with these easy-to-trace animal outlines, and don't forget, practice makes perfect! Each attempt, no matter how small, brings you one step closer to mastering these cute creature sketches.

Easy Cat Drawing

Cats are adored for their simplicity and elegance, making them ideal for easy animal drawings to trace. This cat drawing features a characteristic round face, pointed ears, and a curvy body – all easy shapes to trace and fill in.

a small pig sitting on the ground with a heart above its head and eyes closed

a black and white drawing of a cow with a heart on it's forehead

To make it more interesting, try adding details like whiskers, a collar, and perhaps a fish or mouse to complete the feline theme. You can find easy cat drawing printables online to get started.

Simple Dog Drawing

Who doesn't love dogs? This simple dog drawing showcases a friendly, smiling pooch with a wagging tail – perfect for capturing the essence of man's best friend. The large round shape of the body and smaller circles for the head and paws make it one of the easiest animal drawings to trace.

For an added challenge, try drawing your favorite dog breed or even a specific dog you know! You can use dog drawing stencils or printable outlines to help you get started.

a black and white drawing of a rabbit sitting on the ground with its legs crossed

a turtle that is swimming in the water coloring pages, coloring sheets, sea animals, turtles

Intermediate Animal Drawings to Trace

As you gain confidence, try these intermediate animal drawings to trace. They offer more intricate details, helping you refine your tracing and drawing skills.

These animal drawings might take a bit more time, but the results are well worth the effort – beautiful, intricate illustrations that you can be proud of.

Princess Unicorn Drawing

Unicorns are whimsical creatures, and this princess unicorn drawing is no exception! Its flowing mane, graceful neck, and layered wings make it a delightful intermediate animal drawing to trace.

After tracing, you can experiment with colors and patterns to create a truly enchanting unicorn print. Look for unicorn drawing stencils or printable outlines to find this enchanting design.

Owl Drawing

Wise and mysterious, owls are fascinating creatures to draw. This owl drawing features a detailed face with large, round eyes and subtly layered feathers – making it one of the more challenging animal drawings to trace in this intermediate level.

Start with the basic outline and work your way into the intricate details. Once you've mastered the tracing, try experimenting with different owl species and coloring variations. You can find owl drawing stencils or printable outlines online to practice.

Continue exploring a wide variety of animals and you'll be astonished at how far your tracing and drawing skills can grow. So pick up that pencil and let the creative journey begin!