Hippo coloring pages are a fun printable activity for kids who love wild animals, playful river scenes, cute baby hippos, and big, friendly creatures.
These free printable hippo coloring pages include simple cartoon designs for preschoolers, adorable hippo calves, realistic wildlife portraits, and more detailed sheets for older kids or adults. Some pages show smiling hippos in funny outfits, while others feature muddy trails, rivers, water plants, and natural African habitats.
The printable pages feature hippos swimming, resting beside their mothers, grazing near riverbanks, splashing in shallow water, and opening their enormous mouths. There are also playful scenes with skateboarding hippos, chef outfits, family groups, waterfalls, and tropical forests for extra variety.
Each hippo PDF printable can be downloaded for free and used at home, in the classroom, during wildlife lessons, or for a quiet screen-free coloring break.
46 Cute & Simple Hippo Coloring Pages for Kids to Print
1. Simple Hippo Coloring Page for Preschoolers
Hippos or hippopotamuses are the third-largest land mammal. They live on the African continent in areas with lots of water because they need it to cool their massive bodies. The beautiful mammal featured on our first hippo printable is pictured from one side so that you can see it in all its glory. The hippo is on land here, but we’re sure he’s just getting ready to take another bath in the river. You can color it in classic grey hues or be bold and choose a different color combination for this lovely hippo.
2. Cartoony Hippo Facing Right Coloring Page
Hippos are social creatures, so they live in groups or herds of 10 to 30 members. A dominant male usually leads these groups. But hippo families can be much larger, reaching as many as 200 members. As you can see, this cute mammal on our second hippo coloring page is all alone. We can only assume his family is somewhere nearby. Maybe you can keep him company and color it until he reunites with his sisters and brothers.
3. Hippo on Skateboard Printable Coloring Page
Get ready to shred with this rad hippo on a skateboard. This hippo is not only big and strong, but also stylish and brave. He is wearing a plaid jacket and he is riding his skateboard with confidence and skill. You can make this hippo even more awesome by coloring him with your favorite colors. You can use realistic colors, like gray or brown, or you can use bright and funky colors, like purple or green. You can also color his jacket and cap with different patterns and designs to this hippo coloring page.
4. Baby Hippo Coloring Page PDF
Baby hippos are called calves, and they are adorable. Did you know that female hippo sometimes give birth to their calves underwater? After birth, the tiny hippos are pushed by their mothers to the surface to breathe. This cute baby hippo looks like he’s already strong enough to charge through the water on its own. But we’re sure his mother is still keeping a close eye on him. You can stick to the usual grey-pink combination, or you could use some softer shades to color this little hippo.
5. Scientist Hippo Coloring Page
This brainy hippo has a big dream of becoming a scientist. This hippo coloring page, features a smart hippo in a lab coat. His stethoscope is ready to listen to heartbeats and his beakers are set to mix up some bubbly experiments. What kinds of smart stuff will he discover? Color in doctor or scientific details on his lab coat. Add patterns to his microscope that fuel his fascination with tiny creatures.
6. Playful Hippo Printable Coloring Sheet
Just like children, young hippos also love to play. They very much enjoy playing games of tag, hide and seek or splashing around in the water. What better way to spend time in the tropical savanna? It looks like this hippo is in a very playful mood. You can see it has a big smile on its face, and it’s looking to one side as if it’s waiting for another hippo to join the game. We don’t know what game this hippo is playing, but we see this page would look a lot better with some color.
7. Hippo Coloring Pages Feature Image
The mammal featured on our next hippo coloring page is quite large. Judging by its size, it may be the leader of the group. Male leaders are in charge of protecting their territory by fighting off their rivals. We have a few suggestions if you don’t know how to color this hippo. In real life, hippos have greyish to muddy-brown skin on most parts of their bodies. But the skin around their eyes, ears, mouth, and belly has pink tones. You can use these shades to bring this friendly hippo to life.
8. Hippo with Heart Jacket Coloring Page
Look at chic hippo in a stylish outfit. This hippo is not only big and adorable, but also fashionable and trendy. She is wearing a striped shirt, a heart-patterned jacket, and a necklace with a pendant. Polish her shoes to a shine and accent her jewelry with glittery gems. Unleash your inner designer to color this hippo belle of the ball!
9. Preschool Hippo Outline Coloring Page
In their natural habitat, hippos are usually surrounded by other creatures. It’s not unusual to see birds standing on a hippo’s back. That’s because birds help hippos get rid of parasites, so they’ve developed a close relationship. We don’t see any birds or animals anywhere near this hippo, but by the way, it's looking; it noticed something interesting. Maybe he saw a crocodile approaching, or he’s just inspecting the territory. You could draw a few birds around the hippo to complete the scene.
10. Stylish Hippo with Tiny Bag Coloring Sheet
This coloring page features a friendly hippo ready for his next big adventure! He's sporting a stylish jacket and carrying a tiny bag as he embarks on a fun expedition. Hippos are actually one of the largest animals on land, but they can still move surprisingly fast when needed! This hippo has a tuft of hair on his head and a smile on his face. He is the most wanderlust hippo in the world. I would use Earthy tones like olive green, sky blue, sandy brown for hippo to blend into nature.
11. Giant Sitting Hippo Printable Coloring Page
Life in the African savanna is not always easy. Even if hippos spend most of their day submerged in the water, they are a lot more active during the night when they come out to look for food. This hippo coloring sheet features a giant hippo standing on the ground. Since it’s not in the water, we assume it spent the whole night grazing, and now it’s time for a well-deserved break. It would be nice to draw some grass around this hippo to make it look like it just finished its nocturnal meal.
12. Happy Hippo Bathing in Pond Coloring Page
Hippos are semi-aquatic animals. They spend most of their time in rivers and lakes to stay cool in the blistering African heat. Did you know that hippos can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes? That’s quite a fantastic skill. In this hippo coloring sheet, you can see clearly how much hippos enjoy living in the water. Here we have a happy hippo bathing in a small pond, surrounded by rocks and grass. You can join in on the fun by coloring our swampy friend and its surroundings.
13. Chef Hippo Coloring Page for Kids
Our next coloring page features a hippo with a talent for cooking up tasty treats! This hippo chef is wearing a puffy white chef's hat and coat. A scarf is wrapped neatly around his neck. Hippos are vegetarians, so this chef whips up healthy, delicious salads, soups, and fruit desserts in his kitchen. Around him, you can add some details like a counter stacked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Draw some pans sizzling on the burners with yummy dishes cooking away.
14. Cute Baby Hippo Coloring Page Printable
Here’s a fun fact about baby hippos: they can suckle underwater. They’ve developed this ability so they can join their mothers in the water. However, they can’t swim. They just move around by pushing off from the bottom of the water. This cute hippo right here looks relatively young, but we’re sure he already knows how to do a few tricks in the water. You can use any shades you like to color this little guy. And maybe you can add a splash of water to the picture.
15. Hippo by the Water Free Coloring Page
On our last hippo coloring printable, you can see one of these beautiful mammals in its natural habitat. He’s standing near a body of water, with some lush shrubs and bushes behind. Looking at this scenery, we can assume the rainy season has started in the African savanna. Hippos love the rainy season when the food is abundant, and there’s lots of water to bathe in. Grab your colored pencils and use your creativity to color this mighty hippo and the beautiful landscape around it.
16. Kawaii Baby Hippo Coloring Page
This cute calf sits on soft grass with tiny flowers, perfect for a gentle first coloring project. A simple, friendly hippo design that prints cleanly and suits kids who love kawaii style.
17. Simple Hippo Coloring Sheet PDF
A hippo head peeks above the water with calm ripples around it, making shapes easy to fill. Great for young artists who want a quick printable page without too many details.
18. Realistic Hippo Coloring Page Printable
Capture a hippo walking along a muddy trail with clear footprints for a nature-inspired look. This detailed PDF is ideal for older kids or anyone who enjoys lifelike animal coloring.
19. Night Scene Hippo Coloring Page
A peaceful hippo munches grass under a bright moon and twinkling stars for a cozy evening vibe. The easy layout invites calm coloring time before bed or on quiet afternoons.
20. Detailed Hippo Coloring Sheet for Adults
A wide-mouthed hippo poses near lily pads, packed with lines and textures to explore. Perfect for stress-relief coloring with fine liners or pencils that blend subtle shades.
21. Free Hippo Coloring Pages Printable
A grazing hippo stands on a riverbank beneath an acacia tree for a classic safari feel. This easy design prints crisply and works well for kids learning to color inside outlines.
22. Cartoon Hippo Coloring Picture
A cheerful hippo carries two oxpecker birds on its back near tall grass, adding playful detail. The bold shapes make coloring fun while sneaking in a tiny nature lesson.
23. Hippo Family Coloring Sheet for Kids
A mother hippo stands beside her calf near calm water, a sweet scene for family-themed crafts. Large, friendly outlines help little hands color with confidence.
24. Underwater Hippo Coloring Page
See the hippo from the side underwater with bubbles and small fish drifting by. A simple printable that introduces kids to underwater scenes without complex backgrounds.
25. Easy Hippo Coloring Page for Kids PDF
A hippo stands in a shallow river with reeds, offering clear areas to color and simple lines. It’s a quick, confidence-building page for early learners and classrooms.
26. River Safari Hippo Coloring Poster
A large hippo rests on a sandbank with rocks and shrubs for a bold poster-style page. Print it big for a centerpiece craft or keep it standard for a relaxing coloring session.
27. Hippopotamus Surrounded by Floating Water Plants
A large hippopotamus rests in the water, surrounded by floating aquatic plants. Hippos spend much of their day submerged to stay cool, making this peaceful wetland setting a natural part of their daily lives.
28. Hippopotamus Beside a Beautiful Waterfall
A massive hippo stands near a waterfall with water cascading over the rocks behind it. The flowing water and surrounding landscape create a scenic wildlife setting that highlights the animal's impressive size.
29. Pygmy Hippopotamus Exploring a Tropical Forest
A pygmy hippopotamus walks through a dense tropical forest filled with leafy vegetation. Unlike its larger relative, this smaller, secretive species spends more time on land and naturally inhabits the forests of West Africa.
30. Hippo coloring page of a Deep River Crossing
A hippopotamus moves through a deep river with water surrounding its enormous body. Although hippos are closely associated with water, they typically move underwater by pushing off the riverbed rather than swimming like most aquatic mammals.
31. Hippo Climbing onto a Riverbank
A large hippo climbs out of the water and makes its way onto a grassy riverbank. Its sturdy legs support an enormous body, allowing it to travel across land despite spending much of the day in rivers and lakes.
32. Hippopotamus Drinking from a Watering Hole
A hippopotamus lowers its broad head toward a watering hole for a drink. The peaceful setting captures an everyday moment in the African wilderness, where reliable water sources are important for many animals.
33. Two Young Hippos Playing in Shallow Water
Two young hippopotamuses splash around together in shallow water. Their playful interaction offers a charming glimpse of hippo behavior, as younger animals can often be seen interacting with one another in family groups.
34. Hippopotamus Walking Through Papyrus Plants
A large hippo moves between tall papyrus plants growing along a wetland. Papyrus thrives in marshy environments, making its long stems and distinctive flower heads a natural backdrop for this African river animal.
35. Hippo Shaking Water from Its Head
A hippopotamus lifts its enormous head and shakes off droplets of water. The lively movement highlights its rounded ears, broad snout, and powerful neck, giving the scene a playful wildlife feel.
36. Baby Hippopotamus Resting Beside Its Sleeping Mother
A young hippo rests quietly beside its sleeping mother in a peaceful family scene. Female hippopotamuses form strong bonds with their calves and protect them during their early development.
37. Hippopotamus Showing Its Enormous Teeth
A hippopotamus opens its massive mouth, revealing its impressive teeth and powerful jaws. Its long canine teeth are primarily used for fighting and defense rather than chewing plants, making them one of the animal's most remarkable features.
38. Two Hippos Facing Each Other with Open Mouths
Two hippopotamuses face one another with their enormous mouths opened wide. This dramatic display can be part of territorial behavior, as hippos sometimes show their teeth to communicate warnings or establish dominance.
39. Young Hippo Following Its Mother Through Water
A young hippopotamus follows closely behind its mother as they travel through the river. Staying near an adult helps calves navigate their watery surroundings and remain protected within their social group.
40. Group of Hippopotamuses Sleeping Together
A large hippo rests beside several others in a quiet wildlife scene. Hippos often gather in groups during the day, conserving energy before becoming more active on land during the cooler evening hours.
41. Hippo coloring page Under a Shady Tree
A hippopotamus rests beneath a leafy tree, taking shelter from the warm sunshine. The shaded resting place offers a different view of this usually water-loving mammal and creates a calm African wildlife setting.
42. Hippopotamus Climbing a Muddy River Slope
A heavy hippopotamus climbs a slippery river slope with mud covering the uneven ground. Despite its bulky appearance, the animal has strong legs that allow it to move surprisingly well on land.
43. Baby Hippo Drinking Milk from Its Mother
A baby hippopotamus nurses from its mother in a gentle wildlife scene. Like other mammals, hippo calves depend on their mother's milk for nourishment, and they can even nurse underwater.
44. Herd of Hippos Crossing a Wide River
A group of hippopotamuses travels together across a broad river. The scene highlights their social behavior and close connection to freshwater habitats, where groups often gather in surprisingly large numbers.
45. Hippopotamus Group Crowded Together in a River
Several hippos gather closely together in the water, their rounded backs and heads filling the scene. These social mammals commonly share river pools during daylight hours, creating crowded gatherings known as pods or bloats.
46. Young Hippopotamus Exploring a Sandy River Island
A curious young hippo explores a small sandy island surrounded by river water. The open stretch of sand offers a different perspective on its natural habitat, giving the little animal a peaceful place to investigate.Related Collections of Coloring Pages
After You Color Your Hippo Coloring Pages
- Add a habitat backdrop: Draw reeds, lily pads, fish, and a muddy riverbank. Hippos love shallow water and grassy edges—great for greens, browns, and cool blues.
- Try texture tricks: Stipple dots for wet skin, short strokes for fur on friends, and light watercolor washes for ponds. Layer colored pencils to suggest sunlight on water.
- Make it a mini-lesson: Label parts (ears, nostrils, teeth, tail), map where hippopotamuses live in Africa, and discuss why hippos spend time in water.
- Craft it: Turn finished coloring sheets into bookmarks, party flags, or a DIY “safari” banner. Add googly eyes or a cotton ball “steam” for the chef hippo.
- Color challenges: Create a “sunset palette” (or “night lagoon” palette) and reprint a favorite page to try new color stories.
- Story time: Name your hippo, write a two-sentence adventure on the back, and staple a few pages into a short picture book.