1Step 1 of 7
Draw the head
Draw a wide oval for the top of the head. Press lightly so you can fix it later.
▶ Watch this stepHow to Draw a Cartoon Hippo
This cartoon hippo is a wide head, a big round muzzle, small ears, a round body, short arms and big feet. 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 hippo, step by step
2Step 2 of 7
Draw the big muzzle
Under the head, draw an even wider oval for the big round muzzle. Let it overlap the head a little.
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3Step 3 of 7
Add the ears and eyes
Draw two small round ears on top of the head. Then draw two round eyes with a white shine near the top.
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4Step 4 of 7
Draw the nostrils and smile
On the muzzle, draw two oval nostrils, a wide happy smile and a pink oval on each cheek.
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5Step 5 of 7
Draw the body
Under the head, draw a big round body, then a light oval on the tummy.
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6Step 6 of 7
Add the arms and feet
Draw a round arm on each side and two big feet at the bottom with little toenails.
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7Step 7 of 7
Color your hippo
Purple grey for the body, light purple for the muzzle and tummy, pink for the ears and cheeks, and white for the toenails.
▶ Watch this stepTips for a better cartoon hippo
1
Draw light first
Keep your first lines soft, then press harder once you like the shape.
2
Big muzzle
Make the muzzle wider than the top of the head. The big muzzle is what makes it look like a hippo.
3
Tiny ears
Keep the ears small and round. Big ears make it look like a bear.
4
Eyes on top
Put the eyes high on the head, close to the ears.
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 hippo, add a background, a friend or a funny hat.
Done? Now make it colourful
Colour your cartoon hippo in, or keep practising with more ideas to copy.
Questions people ask
Is this cartoon hippo easy enough for young kids?
Yes. Most children from about age 5 can follow it.
Why is the hippo purple?
Real hippos are grey and pink, but a soft purple makes the cartoon look extra cute. You can use grey if you like.
Can I draw the hippo in water?
Yes. Draw a wavy line across the tummy and color the water blue so only the top shows.
What colors do I need for a cartoon hippo?
Purple grey, light purple, pink and white.
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.
