How to Draw Tadpoles (Easy Step by Step)
Tadpoles are a fun first drawing because they are mostly circles and wavy lines. Each one is a round head with a smiling face and a long, curvy tail, and the bottom one even has tiny legs starting to grow. Add a few bubbles and you have a whole pond scene.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 6 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw tadpoles step by step
How to Draw Tadpoles · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Open round heads
Draw three big round shapes that look like the letter C turned to face the right, one at the top left, one in the middle, and one at the bottom left. Leave a gap on the right side of each one. On the bottom one, add a tiny wiggle at the lower end of the gap.
Step 2: Two wavy tails
On the top two tadpoles, start at the top of the gap and draw a wavy line that curves out to a point. Then start at the bottom of the gap and draw another wave that meets the first one at the tip.
Step 3: The third tail
Do the same on the bottom tadpole: one wavy line from the top of the gap and one from the bottom, joining at a pointy tip. Keep the waves smooth and gentle.
Step 4: Little legs
On the bottom tadpole, draw two small pointed loops that look like leaves where the head meets the tail, one pointing up and one pointing down. Join them with a short curved line down the right side of the head.
Step 5: Happy faces
Close the right side of the top two heads with a short curved line. Then add two round dots for eyes and a small curved smile on every tadpole.
Step 6: Floating bubbles
Draw two small circles to the right of the tadpoles, a bigger one on top and a smaller one below it. They look like bubbles floating in the water.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your tadpoles? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a centipede or how to draw a fox next.
Tips for drawing tadpoles
- Draw the head circles lightly, and leave a gap on the right side of each one so the tails have a place to start.
- For the tail, think of a sideways letter S. Draw the top wave first, then draw the bottom wave so the two meet at a point.
- Keep the little legs small and leaf-shaped, and tuck them right where the head meets the tail so they look attached.
Free tadpoles coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this tadpoles 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 tadpoles drawing
Try green and brown for the tadpoles and light blue for the bubbles. For a creative twist, color the bottom tadpole a little bit lighter to show it is almost a frog.
Tadpoles fun fact for kids
Tadpoles are baby frogs. They hatch from eggs in the water and breathe with gills, then slowly grow legs, lose their tails, and become frogs that can hop on land.
Questions about drawing tadpoles
What shapes do I need to draw a tadpole?
You need one circle for the head and two wavy lines that meet at a point for the tail. Two dots and a small curve make the face.
How do I make my tadpole look cuter?
Make the head big and round, and put the eyes a little apart with a small smile below them. Round eyes and a curvy smile make it look friendly.
How do I draw a tadpole with legs?
Add two small leaf-shaped loops where the head meets the tail, one pointing up and one pointing down. These show the legs growing as the tadpole turns into a frog.
