Turtle Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)

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By: Papaya Ink Team · Last updated: October 14, 2026

A turtle's shell is not a house it lives in but part of its skeleton: the ribs and spine are fused into the dome, and the plates on top, called scutes, are made of the same keratin as your fingernails. Scutes grow in rings, a little like a tree trunk, so no two shells are patterned quite alike – and that is what makes turtles such a satisfying thing to color. These turtle coloring pages cover the whole family: sea turtles with long paddle flippers, land tortoises with domed shells and elephant feet, box turtles and painted turtles from ponds and woodlands, and a few that exist only in a sketchbook. Every one is an original Papaya Ink drawing.

Click any picture and the PDF opens in a new tab, sized for US Letter and fitting A4 without adjustment. The sheets range from simple, bold outlines for younger kids and quick sessions to dense realistic scenes and mandala-style shells for adults who like a slow evening with pencils. The dense ones are marked Detailed in the caption.

A few things that help with turtles. Pick two or three colors for the shell and alternate them scute by scute instead of using one flat tone – a real shell is never one color. Give the skin a different family of colors than the shell, so the two read apart. For sea turtles, leave a thin white edge along the top of each flipper as a highlight and go darker toward the bottom of the page for depth. Tortoises take warm browns, olive and ochre; sea turtles carry green, teal and amber well; and the fantasy pages take whatever you like.

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Turtle Coloring Pages - Sunlight breaks through the surface in long rays as a hawksbill sea turtle cruises over brain coral and branching staghorn. Its overlapping shell plates and hooked beak are what set it apart from other sea turtles. Detailed - the reef takes time. — Sunlight breaks through the surface in long rays as a hawksbill sea turtle cruises over brain coral and branching staghorn. Its overlapping shell plates and hooked beak are what set it apart from other sea turtles. Detailed – the reef takes time.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Rain is not a problem when you come with your own roof. A round-eyed little turtle grins from a half-sunk log while fat drops fall around a water lily. Big open shapes, a good first page for small hands. — Rain is not a problem when you come with your own roof. A round-eyed little turtle grins from a half-sunk log while fat drops fall around a water lily. Big open shapes, a good first page for small hands.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Bearded irises curl into whiplash scrolls around a tortoise crossing the garden bed, in the manner of an Art Nouveau poster. Try a limited palette: violet, sage and cream, with the shell in one deep color. Detailed. — Bearded irises curl into whiplash scrolls around a tortoise crossing the garden bed, in the manner of an Art Nouveau poster. Try a limited palette: violet, sage and cream, with the shell in one deep color. Detailed.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Suns, four-petal flowers and leaf sprigs are painted right onto this tortoise's shell, folk-art style, and tulips and daisies stand in rows around it. Flat, bright colors suit it - think red, cobalt and mustard on a plain background. — Suns, four-petal flowers and leaf sprigs are painted right onto this tortoise's shell, folk-art style, and tulips and daisies stand in rows around it. Flat, bright colors suit it – think red, cobalt and mustard on a plain background.

Turtle Coloring Pages - An eastern box turtle has found the wild strawberry patch and is not leaving. Its hinged, high-domed shell and orange-flecked skin are drawn true to life among ferns and maple trunks. Detailed, with ripe berries to color red. — An eastern box turtle has found the wild strawberry patch and is not leaving. Its hinged, high-domed shell and orange-flecked skin are drawn true to life among ferns and maple trunks. Detailed, with ripe berries to color red.

Turtle Coloring Pages - First light, first crawl. A sea turtle hatchling scrambles down the dune toward the surf while two siblings are already ahead, tracks trailing behind them in the sand. Keep the sky pale so the rising sun stays the brightest point. — First light, first crawl. A sea turtle hatchling scrambles down the dune toward the surf while two siblings are already ahead, tracks trailing behind them in the sand. Keep the sky pale so the rising sun stays the brightest point.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Viewed straight from above, a sea turtle becomes a mandala: a lotus medallion on the shell, scales fanning out across the flippers, and hibiscus and starfish circling the edge. Work from the center outward and mirror your colors left and right. — Viewed straight from above, a sea turtle becomes a mandala: a lotus medallion on the shell, scales fanning out across the flippers, and hibiscus and starfish circling the edge. Work from the center outward and mirror your colors left and right.

Turtle Coloring Pages - City balcony, late afternoon: basil in a pot, rosemary, a watering can, and a tortoise strolling across the tiles toward its water dish. A calm scene with lots of mid-sized shapes - good for pencils or markers alike. — City balcony, late afternoon: basil in a pot, rosemary, a watering can, and a tortoise strolling across the tiles toward its water dish. A calm scene with lots of mid-sized shapes – good for pencils or markers alike.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Towering kelp sways on both sides as a green sea turtle swims up through the current, bubbles rising ahead of it. Long, rhythmic lines make this one relaxing to color; shade the kelp in two greens and let the water stay white. — Towering kelp sways on both sides as a green sea turtle swims up through the current, bubbles rising ahead of it. Long, rhythmic lines make this one relaxing to color; shade the kelp in two greens and let the water stay white.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Still water, smooth boulders and a willow trailing overhead. A painted turtle has claimed the sunniest rock and stretches its striped neck toward the warmth. Soft blues and grays for the pond, with a warm shell. — Still water, smooth boulders and a willow trailing overhead. A painted turtle has claimed the sunniest rock and stretches its striped neck toward the warmth. Soft blues and grays for the pond, with a warm shell.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Spires made of spiral shells, a scallop over the gateway and a staircase up from the sand - a sea turtle rises past this underwater castle with a small striped fish for company. Detailed - a page for a long sitting. — Spires made of spiral shells, a scallop over the gateway and a staircase up from the sand – a sea turtle rises past this underwater castle with a small striped fish for company. Detailed – a page for a long sitting.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Mouth open in a grin, a young tortoise clambers along a fallen log under a huge fern frond, with heart-shaped leaves crowding the foreground. Bold outlines and plenty of room inside each scute. — Mouth open in a grin, a young tortoise clambers along a fallen log under a huge fern frond, with heart-shaped leaves crowding the foreground. Bold outlines and plenty of room inside each scute.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Every plate on this sea turtle's shell carries its own flower or sprig, the way a Delft tile does, and scrolls and scallop shells frame the whole page. Classic blue and white is the obvious choice; indigo and gold works too. Detailed. — Every plate on this sea turtle's shell carries its own flower or sprig, the way a Delft tile does, and scrolls and scallop shells frame the whole page. Classic blue and white is the obvious choice; indigo and gold works too. Detailed.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Leaded lines divide this tortoise, the sunflowers and the sky into glass panes, with the sun as a round window at the top. Fill each pane in a single color and leave the thick lines black for the stained-glass effect. — Leaded lines divide this tortoise, the sunflowers and the sky into glass panes, with the sun as a round window at the top. Fill each pane in a single color and leave the thick lines black for the stained-glass effect.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Oak leaves, acorns and mushrooms carpet the forest floor around a tortoise with a gentle smile, under the twisted roots of an old tree. Russet, ochre and brown everywhere - autumn through and through. Detailed. — Oak leaves, acorns and mushrooms carpet the forest floor around a tortoise with a gentle smile, under the twisted roots of an old tree. Russet, ochre and brown everywhere – autumn through and through. Detailed.

Turtle Coloring Pages - The leatherback is the largest turtle alive, and it eats jellyfish. Here one swims through open water with its ridged, leathery shell and enormous front flippers, jellyfish drifting nearby. Deep blues fading to black make the shell glow. — The leatherback is the largest turtle alive, and it eats jellyfish. Here one swims through open water with its ridged, leathery shell and enormous front flippers, jellyfish drifting nearby. Deep blues fading to black make the shell glow.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Helmet on, oxygen tank strapped to the shell, a turtle floats past ringed planets, asteroids and a passing comet. The shell is the spaceship - pick the wildest colors you own for the planets and leave space itself dark. — Helmet on, oxygen tank strapped to the shell, a turtle floats past ringed planets, asteroids and a passing comet. The shell is the spaceship – pick the wildest colors you own for the planets and leave space itself dark.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Seen from an angle, like a tiny model: a raised bed of basil, parsley and rosemary, a tomato plant on a stake, a bench and a water dish, with a tortoise crossing the patio. Tidy shapes, plenty of greens to practice shading. — Seen from an angle, like a tiny model: a raised bed of basil, parsley and rosemary, a tomato plant on a stake, a bench and a water dish, with a tortoise crossing the patio. Tidy shapes, plenty of greens to practice shading.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Mountain stream, flat rock, and a pond turtle that has stopped to warm up, with firs, snow-capped peaks and a cluster of edelweiss in the corner. Cool blues and greens in the distance, warmer tones up close, and the water left mostly white. — Mountain stream, flat rock, and a pond turtle that has stopped to warm up, with firs, snow-capped peaks and a cluster of edelweiss in the corner. Cool blues and greens in the distance, warmer tones up close, and the water left mostly white.

Turtle Coloring Pages - A whole island rides on this giant tortoise: a lighthouse, a wind-bent tree, flowering shrubs and a stone path winding up the shell. Mountains and a lake fill the horizon. Detailed - the kind you come back to over several evenings. — A whole island rides on this giant tortoise: a lighthouse, a wind-bent tree, flowering shrubs and a stone path winding up the shell. Mountains and a lake fill the horizon. Detailed – the kind you come back to over several evenings.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Only one dry rock in the pond, and the turtle got there first. Lotus blooms frame him on both sides, lily pads drift all around. Follow the sample and the shell becomes a mosaic of two greens - keep that contrast and it will pop. — Only one dry rock in the pond, and the turtle got there first. Lotus blooms frame him on both sides, lily pads drift all around. Follow the sample and the shell becomes a mosaic of two greens – keep that contrast and it will pop.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Mother sea turtle and her hatchling have the lagoon beach to themselves, and the little one has already found a fallen hibiscus petal. Monarchs drift past, mountains sit far back. Olive shell for her, a lighter green for the hatchling. — Mother sea turtle and her hatchling have the lagoon beach to themselves, and the little one has already found a fallen hibiscus petal. Monarchs drift past, mountains sit far back. Olive shell for her, a lighter green for the hatchling.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Shell patterned in tendrils and teardrops, the turtle suns herself on a flat stone under a swirling Art Nouveau sky. Ferns curl in from the left, a lotus opens on the right. Olive and ochre for the shell, three greens for the rest. — Shell patterned in tendrils and teardrops, the turtle suns herself on a flat stone under a swirling Art Nouveau sky. Ferns curl in from the left, a lotus opens on the right. Olive and ochre for the shell, three greens for the rest.

Turtle Coloring Pages - The pond turtle has claimed the best rock on the lake and does not plan to share it. Blue irises lean over her shell, and water lilies float out toward the far pines. Olive and gold for the shell plates, one stripe at a time. — The pond turtle has claimed the best rock on the lake and does not plan to share it. Blue irises lean over her shell, and water lilies float out toward the far pines. Olive and gold for the shell plates, one stripe at a time.

Turtle Coloring Pages - A willow log, heated by the sun, and nobody else on it: the pond turtle has claimed the best seat around. Lotus blooms open just below her. Olive and amber for the shell, one plate at a time. Detailed. — A willow log, heated by the sun, and nobody else on it: the pond turtle has claimed the best seat around. Lotus blooms open just below her. Olive and amber for the shell, one plate at a time. Detailed.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Every plate on this tortoise's shell carries its own little blossom, which makes him the best-dressed resident of the valley and the slowest. He is heading for the water anyway. Match the shell from the sample; the legs are plain speckled olive. — Every plate on this tortoise's shell carries its own little blossom, which makes him the best-dressed resident of the valley and the slowest. He is heading for the water anyway. Match the shell from the sample; the legs are plain speckled olive.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Picking its way down a ridge of tangled roots, a sturdy box turtle steps carefully past fallen leaves. Box turtles have a hinged lower shell, so they can close up tight like a little treasure box. — Picking its way down a ridge of tangled roots, a sturdy box turtle steps carefully past fallen leaves. Box turtles have a hinged lower shell, so they can close up tight like a little treasure box.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Gliding low over the sandy seafloor, a green sea turtle nibbles a tuft of seagrass. Adult green sea turtles eat mostly plants, and their name comes from the greenish color of their fat, not their shell. — Gliding low over the sandy seafloor, a green sea turtle nibbles a tuft of seagrass. Adult green sea turtles eat mostly plants, and their name comes from the greenish color of their fat, not their shell.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Settled deep into a squishy beanbag, a plush turtle sits back with a big cheerful grin. Stitched seams across its belly and limbs make neat sections to fill with soft colors. — Settled deep into a squishy beanbag, a plush turtle sits back with a big cheerful grin. Stitched seams across its belly and limbs make neat sections to fill with soft colors.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Kneeling beside a tiny wooden bed, a stitched toy turtle smooths the mattress and tucks the blanket in. It is a cozy bedtime scene that suits a quiet afternoon of coloring. — Kneeling beside a tiny wooden bed, a stitched toy turtle smooths the mattress and tucks the blanket in. It is a cozy bedtime scene that suits a quiet afternoon of coloring.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Stretching its neck around a tall cone, a curious turtle peeks out from the other side. Bold, simple outlines and big open shapes make this an easy page for little hands. — Stretching its neck around a tall cone, a curious turtle peeks out from the other side. Bold, simple outlines and big open shapes make this an easy page for little hands.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Pressing a round pad onto a flat board, a high-shelled turtle sweeps a curved line across the surface. Fill the big shell panels with different shades of green and brown. — Pressing a round pad onto a flat board, a high-shelled turtle sweeps a curved line across the surface. Fill the big shell panels with different shades of green and brown.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Walking under a hinged plank, a cheerful turtle raises it on the back of its sturdy shell. A turtle's shell is part of its skeleton, built from its ribs and backbone, so it can never slip it off. — Walking under a hinged plank, a cheerful turtle raises it on the back of its sturdy shell. A turtle's shell is part of its skeleton, built from its ribs and backbone, so it can never slip it off.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Standing up on its back legs, a smiling turtle peels a bendy cover off a shallow tray. The tray and its lid are plain shapes, perfect for trying a bright pattern. — Standing up on its back legs, a smiling turtle peels a bendy cover off a shallow tray. The tray and its lid are plain shapes, perfect for trying a bright pattern.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Glancing back over its shell, a turtle lifts the corner of a floppy mat with one foot. Swirly bands on the shell look lovely in alternating light and dark shades. — Glancing back over its shell, a turtle lifts the corner of a floppy mat with one foot. Swirly bands on the shell look lovely in alternating light and dark shades.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Poking its head between two drapes, a beaming turtle steps out like the star of a show. Give the curtains a rich color and the turtle a bright, happy one. — Poking its head between two drapes, a beaming turtle steps out like the star of a show. Give the curtains a rich color and the turtle a bright, happy one.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Sitting on a little stool, a thoughtful turtle unfolds a long zigzag folder with both hands. Each folded panel can be a different color, like a rainbow fan. — Sitting on a little stool, a thoughtful turtle unfolds a long zigzag folder with both hands. Each folded panel can be a different color, like a rainbow fan.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Leaning on a stack of folded cushions, a grinning turtle pushes air out through a hose so the long ribbon flutters away. The shell plates and wavy streamer give lots of shapes to fill. — Leaning on a stack of folded cushions, a grinning turtle pushes air out through a hose so the long ribbon flutters away. The shell plates and wavy streamer give lots of shapes to fill.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Stepping onto a folded paper bridge, a smiling turtle flattens its creases with each foot. Clean lines and a simple shell make this a relaxed page for beginners. — Stepping onto a folded paper bridge, a smiling turtle flattens its creases with each foot. Clean lines and a simple shell make this a relaxed page for beginners.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Seated behind a sturdy wooden frame, a block-headed turtle pushes a paddle down through a slot. The squared shell panels are easy to color one at a time. — Seated behind a sturdy wooden frame, a block-headed turtle pushes a paddle down through a slot. The squared shell panels are easy to color one at a time.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Bent over a low stool, a friendly turtle drapes a wide sheet over the curved seat. Stripes across its shell make an easy pattern to color in two shades. — Bent over a low stool, a friendly turtle drapes a wide sheet over the curved seat. Stripes across its shell make an easy pattern to color in two shades.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Resting beside a book stand, a bookish turtle slips a bookmark between the open pages. Count the plates on its shell, then give each one a slightly different shade. — Resting beside a book stand, a bookish turtle slips a bookmark between the open pages. Count the plates on its shell, then give each one a slightly different shade.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Perched on a cushioned chair, a turtle pushes a nightstand drawer shut with both back feet. Its puffy, quilted shell looks great in warm greens and golds. — Perched on a cushioned chair, a turtle pushes a nightstand drawer shut with both back feet. Its puffy, quilted shell looks great in warm greens and golds.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Pushing a tall triangle along a narrow track, a small turtle leans in with its front feet. Simple outlines and lots of white space keep this page quick and cheerful. — Pushing a tall triangle along a narrow track, a small turtle leans in with its front feet. Simple outlines and lots of white space keep this page quick and cheerful.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Rolling a chunky six-sided block, a faceted turtle grins at its work. Angled panels on the shell and head take light and dark shades for a gem-like finish. — Rolling a chunky six-sided block, a faceted turtle grins at its work. Angled panels on the shell and head take light and dark shades for a gem-like finish.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Lowering its head to a fresh puddle, a desert tortoise sips rainwater from the damp ground. These tortoises can store water inside their bodies, which helps them get through long dry spells between storms. — Lowering its head to a fresh puddle, a desert tortoise sips rainwater from the damp ground. These tortoises can store water inside their bodies, which helps them get through long dry spells between storms.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Nose above the waves, a green sea turtle grabs a breath of air before diving again. Resting sea turtles can stay underwater for hours, but they always come up to breathe. — Nose above the waves, a green sea turtle grabs a breath of air before diving again. Resting sea turtles can stay underwater for hours, but they always come up to breathe.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Shoving a fat pillow through an open frame, a plush turtle leans in with all its might. Stitched seams on its head and shell turn this into a cozy, toy-box style page. — Shoving a fat pillow through an open frame, a plush turtle leans in with all its might. Stitched seams on its head and shell turn this into a cozy, toy-box style page.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Tucked into a curved rocking cushion, a smiling plush turtle sways back and forth. Wide, rounded sections make this an easy and relaxing sheet for young colorists. — Tucked into a curved rocking cushion, a smiling plush turtle sways back and forth. Wide, rounded sections make this an easy and relaxing sheet for young colorists.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Side by side, two little turtles balance one long pillow across both of their shells. Give each friend a different shell color so you can tell them apart. — Side by side, two little turtles balance one long pillow across both of their shells. Give each friend a different shell color so you can tell them apart.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Setting a foam arch between two square blocks, a faceted turtle builds a tiny bridge. Angled shell plates look striking in several shades of the same color. — Setting a foam arch between two square blocks, a faceted turtle builds a tiny bridge. Angled shell plates look striking in several shades of the same color.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Clambering over the rim, a cheerful turtle leaves a shallow tray one foot at a time. Its checkered shell is a fun pattern to color in two alternating shades. — Clambering over the rim, a cheerful turtle leaves a shallow tray one foot at a time. Its checkered shell is a fun pattern to color in two alternating shades.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Feeding a long strip of paper through a slot in a wooden stand, a small turtle concentrates on its task. Plenty of white space keeps this page light and simple. — Feeding a long strip of paper through a slot in a wooden stand, a small turtle concentrates on its task. Plenty of white space keeps this page light and simple.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Neck stretched tall, a playful turtle steers a big rolling disc with one back foot. The round disc and smooth shell are great spots for bold, bright colors. — Neck stretched tall, a playful turtle steers a big rolling disc with one back foot. The round disc and smooth shell are great spots for bold, bright colors.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Draped over a low bar, a curious turtle peers down at a ball resting in a dish below. Simple shapes and a friendly face suit beginners who want a quick page. — Draped over a low bar, a curious turtle peers down at a ball resting in a dish below. Simple shapes and a friendly face suit beginners who want a quick page.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Bending over a little wooden cradle, a gentle turtle gives it a careful rock. The big curved shell is a great place to try a pattern of your own. — Bending over a little wooden cradle, a gentle turtle gives it a careful rock. The big curved shell is a great place to try a pattern of your own.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Facing each other, two turtle buddies hold up a long banner between them. Leave it blank or write your own message on the strip before you color. — Facing each other, two turtle buddies hold up a long banner between them. Leave it blank or write your own message on the strip before you color.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Sliding a triangle wedge under a soft cushion, a little turtle props it up at a slant. Clean, simple outlines make this a calm page to finish in one sitting. — Sliding a triangle wedge under a soft cushion, a little turtle props it up at a slant. Clean, simple outlines make this a calm page to finish in one sitting.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Gripping a paper tube with both hands, a smiling turtle squeezes it into an oval shape. Its large round shell frames the scene and leaves room for soft blending. — Gripping a paper tube with both hands, a smiling turtle squeezes it into an oval shape. Its large round shell frames the scene and leaves room for soft blending.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Plopped down to get dressed, a turtle tugs a cozy knitted sock onto its back foot. Add stripes, dots or hearts to the sock for a fun personal touch. — Plopped down to get dressed, a turtle tugs a cozy knitted sock onto its back foot. Add stripes, dots or hearts to the sock for a fun personal touch.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Braced against a stretched cloth panel, a turtle pushes it out into a curve with both hands. Its patterned shell gives older kids lots of little sections to fill. — Braced against a stretched cloth panel, a turtle pushes it out into a curve with both hands. Its patterned shell gives older kids lots of little sections to fill.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Chin on one end of a seesaw lever, a faceted turtle pushes it down with its neck. Crisp geometric lines across the shell suit a gem-like mix of greens. — Chin on one end of a seesaw lever, a faceted turtle pushes it down with its neck. Crisp geometric lines across the shell suit a gem-like mix of greens.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Snuggled on a soft mat, a relaxed turtle rests its chin on a round bolster. Big gentle shapes make this a perfect bedtime page for the youngest artists. — Snuggled on a soft mat, a relaxed turtle rests its chin on a round bolster. Big gentle shapes make this a perfect bedtime page for the youngest artists.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Tilting a curved scoop over a bowl, a happy turtle lets a ball roll down to join the one waiting below. The tall, swirly shell is fun to color in stripes. — Tilting a curved scoop over a bowl, a happy turtle lets a ball roll down to join the one waiting below. The tall, swirly shell is fun to color in stripes.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Cranking a sturdy handle, a block-headed turtle turns a paddle on its stand. Square shell plates are easy to fill one by one with different shades. — Cranking a sturdy handle, a block-headed turtle turns a paddle on its stand. Square shell plates are easy to fill one by one with different shades.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Digging into the sandy ground with a strong front leg, a desert tortoise starts a shallow scrape. These tortoises dig burrows to hide from the midday heat, and they spend much of their lives underground. — Digging into the sandy ground with a strong front leg, a desert tortoise starts a shallow scrape. These tortoises dig burrows to hide from the midday heat, and they spend much of their lives underground.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Banking into a wide turn, a green sea turtle sweeps one long flipper up high like a wing. Sea turtles really do seem to fly through the water, flapping their front flippers to glide along. — Banking into a wide turn, a green sea turtle sweeps one long flipper up high like a wing. Sea turtles really do seem to fly through the water, flapping their front flippers to glide along.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Lifting the corner of a little blanket, a plush turtle peeks underneath to see what is hiding there. Soft shapes and a sweet smile make this a cozy page for little ones. — Lifting the corner of a little blanket, a plush turtle peeks underneath to see what is hiding there. Soft shapes and a sweet smile make this a cozy page for little ones.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Planted on a soft mat, a stitched toy turtle rolls a big cushion ring along beside it. Rainbow stripes on the ring would turn it into a bright toy wheel. — Planted on a soft mat, a stitched toy turtle rolls a big cushion ring along beside it. Rainbow stripes on the ring would turn it into a bright toy wheel.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Wrapping its arms around a puffy cushion, a big turtle keeps a tiny friend safe and snug on top. Give the two shells matching colors, then pick a soft shade for the pillow. — Wrapping its arms around a puffy cushion, a big turtle keeps a tiny friend safe and snug on top. Give the two shells matching colors, then pick a soft shade for the pillow.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Fitting an oval block into the matching hollow of a board, a cheerful turtle solves its shape puzzle. Bold, round outlines are easy to stay inside for young colorists. — Fitting an oval block into the matching hollow of a board, a cheerful turtle solves its shape puzzle. Bold, round outlines are easy to stay inside for young colorists.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Tucking its neck sideways under the rim of its shell, a smiling turtle shows off a clever trick. Side-necked turtles really fold their necks sideways like this instead of pulling them straight back. — Tucking its neck sideways under the rim of its shell, a smiling turtle shows off a clever trick. Side-necked turtles really fold their necks sideways like this instead of pulling them straight back.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Working together, one turtle holds a paper strip on top of a box while a buddy smooths the other end flat. Their striped shells are fun to color in alternating bands. — Working together, one turtle holds a paper strip on top of a box while a buddy smooths the other end flat. Their striped shells are fun to color in alternating bands.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Using the edge of its shell, a checkered turtle nudges open the sliding lid of a long box. The square shell plates make a tidy pattern to fill. — Using the edge of its shell, a checkered turtle nudges open the sliding lid of a long box. The square shell plates make a tidy pattern to fill.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Reaching across a round mat, a delighted turtle opens a big paper envelope with both front feet. Draw a surprise letter or card peeking out once you finish coloring. — Reaching across a round mat, a delighted turtle opens a big paper envelope with both front feet. Draw a surprise letter or card peeking out once you finish coloring.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Face to face, two upright turtles hand a curved tray from one to the other. Swirly bands on their shells look great in two contrasting color schemes. — Face to face, two upright turtles hand a curved tray from one to the other. Swirly bands on their shells look great in two contrasting color schemes.

Turtle Coloring Pages - At the edge of a water tray, a faceted turtle nudges a floating slab across the surface. Light blue ripples and gem-cut shell plates make a nice contrast. — At the edge of a water tray, a faceted turtle nudges a floating slab across the surface. Light blue ripples and gem-cut shell plates make a nice contrast.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Backing into a little wheeled basket, a turtle pushes it along with the back of its shell. The woven basket pattern gives patient colorists plenty to fill. — Backing into a little wheeled basket, a turtle pushes it along with the back of its shell. The woven basket pattern gives patient colorists plenty to fill.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Settling down beside a slanted board on a flat mat, a turtle stretches its neck to look around. Simple shapes and wide spaces keep this page calm and easy. — Settling down beside a slanted board on a flat mat, a turtle stretches its neck to look around. Simple shapes and wide spaces keep this page calm and easy.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Throwing open two little shutters, a grinning turtle peeks out as if through a window. Color the shutters a bright shade so the turtle stands out in the middle. — Throwing open two little shutters, a grinning turtle peeks out as if through a window. Color the shutters a bright shade so the turtle stands out in the middle.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Wedged between two padded blocks, a faceted turtle presses them apart with its front feet. The crystal-cut shell and belly plates are perfect for playing with light and shade. — Wedged between two padded blocks, a faceted turtle presses them apart with its front feet. The crystal-cut shell and belly plates are perfect for playing with light and shade.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Steering a small cushion along an L-shaped rail, a tiny turtle guides it around the corner. Light, simple outlines make this a quick page for beginners. — Steering a small cushion along an L-shaped rail, a tiny turtle guides it around the corner. Light, simple outlines make this a quick page for beginners.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Scooting forward along a low bench on its belly, a tortoise lets its front feet reach the floor first. The flat bottom shell of a turtle is called the plastron, and it protects the belly like armor. — Scooting forward along a low bench on its belly, a tortoise lets its front feet reach the floor first. The flat bottom shell of a turtle is called the plastron, and it protects the belly like armor.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Front feet on a box, a curious turtle stretches its neck high toward a leaf hanging from a little post. The mat, box and leaf give plenty of simple shapes to color. — Front feet on a box, a curious turtle stretches its neck high toward a leaf hanging from a little post. The mat, box and leaf give plenty of simple shapes to color.

Turtle Coloring Pages - Nudging a rolled mat with its nose, a cheerful turtle unrolls it across the floor. The spiral end of the roll is fun to trace before you add color. — Nudging a rolled mat with its nose, a cheerful turtle unrolls it across the floor. The spiral end of the roll is fun to trace before you add color.

Fun Things to Make with These Coloring Pages

Shell palette test – before starting a full page, photocopy it and color only the shell in two or three different palettes on the copies. Pick the one you like best and commit to it on the real sheet.
Sea turtle bookmark – color a swimming turtle, cut it out, glue it to a strip of card stock and laminate it with clear packing tape. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon tail.
Ocean mobile – cut out several finished turtles, tape a length of thread to the back of each and hang them at different heights from a piece of driftwood or a wire hanger. They turn slowly in any draft.
Window suncatcher – color a stained-glass or ornament-style sheet with markers, then rub a little baby oil into the back of the paper with a cotton ball. The paper turns translucent and glows when taped to a window.
Salt-textured shell – paint the shell with watercolor, and while it is still wet sprinkle table salt over it. Once dry, brush the salt away and a speckled, stone-like pattern is left behind.
Beach frame – run a thin line of craft glue around the edge of a finished page, sprinkle sand onto it and shake off the extra. Glue one small shell in a corner to finish it.
Herb pot marker – color a tortoise, cut it out, laminate it and glue it to a craft stick. Push the stick into a pot of basil or rosemary on the windowsill.
Slow-day card – fold a sheet of card stock in half and glue a colored turtle to the front. Write "Slow down and enjoy the day" inside; it suits a birthday or a get-well note equally well.
Framed set – put a few finished pages in matching thin black frames and hang them in a row. The mandala and tile-pattern shells look like print-shop art once they are behind glass.