Drawing is a fun way to be creative, especially when you do it with friends. Today, we’re going to learn how to draw a manatee, a gentle sea creature. So, grab your markers, some paper, and a friend to color with, and let’s start drawing!
Let’s begin by drawing the manatee’s snout. Start on the left side of your paper so you have room for the body. Draw an upside-down “U” shape for the top of the snout. Then, make a curve for the bottom that looks like an upside-down jelly bean.
Draw a big curve for the mouth that goes down and back up. Add two small ovals for the nostrils. To make your manatee look cute, draw a few dots on each cheek for whiskers and add three little hairs on each side of the head.
For the eyes, draw two circles or ovals, one on each side of the head. Inside each eye, add a smaller circle and color in the larger shape, leaving the smaller circle white to make it look shiny.
Now, let’s draw the body. Start next to the cheek with a big curve that goes over and back down. Add a little bump for the neck and continue with a big curve for the body. Make sure you have enough space for the whole shape.
Draw the bottom of the head with a curve that goes down and under the chin. Add a wrinkle for detail and then draw a curve for the belly line.
Start with the first flipper by drawing a curve that comes out and then curves back towards the body. Add little wrinkles on the front and back of the flipper. For the second flipper, do the same but curve it the other way to make it look 3D.
To finish your manatee, draw the tail. Imagine the belly line going behind the flipper and curve around to make the tail’s shape. The end of the tail should look like a big paddle, connecting back into the body.
Now that your drawing is done, it’s time to add color. You can use blue markers for the main body and a darker blue for texture and spots. A white colored pencil can be used to add highlights, making your manatee look shiny and wet.
Feel free to add a background to your drawing. Maybe your manatee is swimming underwater, munching on seaweed or grass.
Great job on drawing your manatee! We hope you had lots of fun and that your artwork looks amazing. Remember, drawing is all about being creative, so don’t be afraid to add your special touches. Happy drawing!
Manatee Observation Walk: Take a walk around your neighborhood or visit a local park and look for shapes that remind you of the manatee’s body parts. Can you find anything that looks like the manatee’s snout or flippers? Draw or take pictures of these objects and share them with your class. This will help you see how different shapes can be found in nature and everyday objects.
Create a Manatee Story: Imagine your manatee drawing comes to life. What adventures would it have? Write a short story about a day in the life of your manatee. Where does it swim? What does it eat? Does it have any friends? Share your story with your classmates and see what adventures their manatees have too!
Manatee Habitat Diorama: Using a shoebox, create a small diorama of a manatee’s habitat. Use colored paper, clay, or other craft materials to make seaweed, water, and other sea creatures. Place your manatee drawing inside the diorama. This activity will help you understand where manatees live and what they need to survive.
