How to Draw a Ballerina Hippo (Easy Step by Step)
A hippo in a tutu is a silly, sweet drawing that kids love. It is built from friendly shapes: a round head with two ears, curved arms, a scalloped skirt, and short legs. Once you can draw curves and wavy lines, you can draw this dancer.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a ballerina hippo step by step
How to Draw a Ballerina Hippo · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Head and ears
Draw the top and sides of a round head, leaving the bottom open. Add a small round ear on each top corner, with a gentle curve across the top between them.
Step 3: Start of the body
On the left, below the head, draw a short line that slants down a little. This is the start of the side of the body.
Step 4: Arms up high
Draw an arm on each side of the head. Start at the side of the head, curve up and out to a round hand, then curve down toward the body. Add a short line down on the right side to match the left.
Step 5: The tutu
Draw a gently curved line across the waist. Then add a wide skirt below it with flared sides and a wavy, scalloped bottom edge.
Step 6: Legs and feet
Under the skirt, draw two short legs that slant down into rounded feet. Leave a small gap between the feet.
Step 7: Eyes and smile
Draw two small filled-in dots for eyes inside the face. Add a little curved smile below and between them.
Step 8: The hair bow
Between the ears on top of the head, draw two small loops side by side, like a bow. Make them meet in the middle.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your ballerina hippo? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fox or how to draw a hedgehog next.
Tips for drawing a ballerina hippo
- Start with the round head and keep the bottom open. The ears go on the top corners.
- The scalloped edge of the tutu is the trickiest part. Draw it as a row of small, gentle bumps that all curve the same way.
- Draw the arms so both hands reach about the same height. Look at one arm, then copy it on the other side.
Free ballerina hippo coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this ballerina hippo coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your ballerina hippo drawing
Try soft gray or lavender for the hippo, with a pink tutu and a bright bow. For a creative twist, add glitter dots or a stage with spotlights behind your dancer.
Ballerina hippo fun fact for kids
Hippos can hold their breath for about five minutes underwater, and baby hippos can nurse underwater.
Questions about drawing a ballerina hippo
What shapes do I need to draw a ballerina hippo?
You need a round head with two small round ears, two curved arms with round hands, a wavy skirt shape, and two short legs with rounded feet.
How do I make my hippo look cuter?
Keep the eyes small and round and add a little curved smile between and below them. A bow on the head and a puffy tutu also add lots of charm.
How long does this drawing take?
Most kids finish it in about 15 minutes. Take your time with the tutu, since the wavy edge is the part that needs the most care.
