How to Draw a Stegosaurus (Easy Step by Step)
The stegosaurus is a fun dinosaur to draw because its big back plates look like a row of leaves. You only need a curved back, a small rounded head, four wavy feet and some pointy leaf shapes. Every part is simple, so you can build it up one piece at a time.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a stegosaurus step by step
How to Draw a Stegosaurus · 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: Back and tail tip
Draw a long curved line like a rainbow for the back, starting on the left and arching up and over to the right. At the right end, make a few small wiggles for the tip of the tail.
Step 3: The head
On the left, draw a small rounded head that sticks out in front of the back line. Curve the line around underneath to make the chin and bring it back to the body.
Step 4: The four legs
Under the body, start at the chin and draw one long wavy line that makes four rounded U-shaped feet side by side. Try to keep them about the same height.
Step 5: Rump and tail
On the right end, draw a wavy curved line that connects the last foot to the tail tip. This closes the body and gives the rump a few little bumps.
Step 6: The tall plates
Along the top of the back, draw three tall pointy leaf shapes standing up. Make the one in the middle the tallest.
Step 7: Small plates and face
Add smaller leaf-shaped plates on each side of the tall ones, getting shorter toward the head and the tail. Then draw a little dot for the eye and a short curved line for the mouth.
Step 8: Toenails
Near the bottom of each foot, draw a tiny short dash for the toenails. Make all four look the same.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your stegosaurus? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a T. rex or how to draw a ninja next.
Tips for drawing a stegosaurus
- Draw the four feet as rounded U shapes next to each other, and try to keep them about the same height.
- Make the middle back plate the tallest, then draw the others a little smaller on each side so they look like a fan.
- Start the small plates right on the back line and make them shorter as you get closer to the head and the tail.
Free stegosaurus coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this stegosaurus 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 stegosaurus drawing
Try green for the body and orange or yellow for the back plates, with a lighter color for the feet. For a creative twist, color each plate a different color of the rainbow.
Stegosaurus fun fact for kids
The name stegosaurus comes from Greek words meaning "roof lizard." Scientists chose it because they first thought the big plates lay flat on its back like roof tiles.
Questions about drawing a stegosaurus
What shapes do I need to draw a stegosaurus?
You need a long curved line for the back, a small rounded shape for the head, and rounded U shapes for the feet. Pointed leaf shapes make the plates.
How do I make my stegosaurus look cuter?
Draw the eye as a round dot and add a short curved smile. Making the head a little bigger and the plates a little rounder also helps.
How do I draw the plates on a stegosaurus's back?
Draw three tall pointed leaf shapes in the middle of the back first, with the biggest one in the center. Then add smaller ones on each side, each sitting right on the back line.
