1Step 1 of 7
Draw the shell
On the left side of your page, draw a big round shell, a little pointy at the top left. Press lightly so you can fix it later.
▶ Watch this stepHow to Draw a Cartoon Hermit Crab
This cartoon hermit crab is a round shell with a spiral, a crab body, eyes on stalks, two claws, legs and sand. Watch each step being drawn in pencil, then copy it on your own paper. It works for kids from about age 5 and for adult beginners too.
7 easy steps 15 minutes Easy level Ages 5 and up
Copy the dark lines in each step. The grey lines are the parts you already drew.
How to draw a cartoon hermit crab, step by step
2Step 2 of 7
Draw the spiral
Inside the shell, draw a curly line that goes round and round like a snail shell.
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3Step 3 of 7
Draw the crab body
Peeking out of the shell on the right, draw a round crab body.
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4Step 4 of 7
Draw the eyes and face
On top of the crab, draw two short stalks with a round eye on each. Add a smile and a pink cheek.
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5Step 5 of 7
Add the claws and legs
Draw one big claw in front and a smaller claw behind it, then three bent legs.
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6Step 6 of 7
Draw the sand and spots
Under the crab, draw wavy sand with a few dots, and some spots on the shell.
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7Step 7 of 7
Color your hermit crab
Orange for the shell, red orange for the crab, cream for the spots, tan for the sand and pink for the cheek.
▶ Watch this stepTips for a better cartoon hermit crab
1
Draw light first
Keep your first lines soft, then press harder once you like the shape.
2
Shell first
Draw the big shell first, then let the crab peek out on one side.
3
Spiral
Start the spiral line big on the outside and make it smaller toward the middle.
4
Two claws
Hermit crabs have one big claw and one smaller claw.
5
Go over the final lines
Trace your drawing with a darker pencil or a black pen so it stands out after coloring.
6
Make it your own
Once you finish your hermit crab, add a background, a friend or a funny hat.
Done? Now make it colourful
Colour your cartoon hermit crab in, or keep practising with more ideas to copy.
Questions people ask
Is this cartoon hermit crab easy enough for young kids?
Yes. Most children from about age 5 can follow it.
Why does a hermit crab live in a shell?
Its body is soft, so it uses an empty shell to stay safe.
Does a hermit crab change shells?
Yes. As it grows, it moves into a bigger shell.
What colors do I need for a cartoon hermit crab?
Orange, red orange, cream, tan and pink.
Can I print the steps?
Yes. Right click or long press any step picture to save it, then print it and keep it next to you while you draw.
