Hippo Coloring Page
coloring · ages preschool · easy
Editorial team · Published July 3, 2026
Oh, this sweet hippo coloring page! It features a chunky, happy hippo with big eyes and a friendly smile, probably wiggling its toes in some shallow water. Kids will love coloring its smooth, round body in grays or even fun purples, and there's just enough water for some bright blues.
For a fun twist, after they've colored, have them crumple up tiny bits of blue tissue paper and glue them onto the water for a cool 3D splash effect!
Download & print — it's free
US Letter (8.5×11"). Print at home, no sign-up needed.
Tip: set your printer to “Fit to page” for best results.
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Frequently asked questions
What skills does the Hippo Coloring Page practice?
Coloring inside large, defined areas builds fine-motor control, pencil grip and hand-eye coordination — the pre-writing skills teachers look for. Naming the picture and choosing colors also sneaks in vocabulary and decision-making.
The lines look thick — is that on purpose?
Yes. Bold, uniform outlines are much more forgiving for small hands: they hide little slips, make each area easy to see, and photocopy cleanly if a teacher needs a class set. It's the same style used in classic early-childhood workbooks.
My preschooler gives up halfway through. Is that normal?
Completely. Attention at this age comes in bursts — leave the page out and it'll often get a second visit later. Praising the effort ("you worked on that a long time!") rather than the result builds the staying power.
Can I share this printable with other parents or teachers?
Please do — just share it as a link to this page rather than forwarding the PDF file. That way the person you share it with always gets the current version, and it helps other families find the collection.