On this page
Long lashes, long legs and an even longer neck. This baby giraffe coloring page fills the sheet from top to bottom with a sweet young calf gazing right at you. Two small horns with round tips stand on its head, and a pale muzzle curves into a gentle smile. A tiny bird has hitched a ride on its back. Off in the distance you will find a flat topped tree, a dry plain and a sunny sky.
The tall shape is great for big arm movements. Kids from 3 to 8 can fill the neck and body with ease, and the spots give them plenty of small jobs. Allow about 20 minutes.
Baby giraffe coloring page color ideas
Golden yellow with orange spots is bright and cheerful. For a more true to life coat, try pale tan with chestnut brown spots. A cream giraffe with dark brown patches looks lovely too.
Leave the muzzle a light cream so the face stays soft. Inside the ears, a pale pink is just right. The mane that runs along the back of the neck can match the spots, and it has short lines that look like stiff hairs.
Want something silly? Try one of these:
- A rainbow giraffe with each spot a new color
- A lilac calf with hot pink patches
- A mint giraffe with blue spots and a yellow bird
Tips for spots and legs
Do the spots first, then fill in the coat around them. It is much easier to color around a dark shape than to color a dark shape on top of yellow. Crayon wax can also block a second layer, so this order keeps your spots bold.
There are eight spots on the neck and body. Have your child count them while coloring, or add a few more with a marker. The small bird on the back is a nice place for a surprise color. Try purple wings, a yellow beak and a pale body, so it stands out from the leaves behind it.
The legs are long and thin, which makes them a good test of control. Start at the top and pull the crayon down in long strokes. The hooves are small and look best in dark brown.
Tall facts about giraffe calves
A giraffe baby begins life with a big drop. The cord breaks midway through the birth and the calf falls to the ground, and the San Diego Zoo says the fall does not hurt it. A newborn is about 6 feet tall and weighs 100 to 220 pounds. After about an hour, it can stand up and walk.
Those head bumps have a name, too. They are ossicones, and both males and females have them. Here is one more surprise for your child: a giraffe has seven bones in its neck, the same number as a person. Each one is just much longer.
Play and learn with the page
Grab a tape measure and mark 6 feet on a wall. Then stand your child next to it. Seeing how tall a newborn calf really is will make them gasp.
You can also make a paper chain neck. Cut seven strips of yellow paper, one for each neck bone, and loop them together. Glue the chain to the top of a paper head. Teachers can use this in a lesson on how animals fit their homes, since a long neck reaches leaves that others cannot.
The bird on the calf's back can start a story. Where did it come from? What might it say to the giraffe? Let your child draw a speech bubble and fill it in.
More savanna babies
Pair this page with the baby elephant coloring page for a big and tall set. Then add the baby lion coloring page for a cub with a butterfly nearby.
Questions
How tall is a baby giraffe?
The San Diego Zoo says a newborn calf is about 6 feet tall. That is taller than many grown people.
What are the bumps on a giraffe's head?
They are called ossicones. Both male and female giraffes have them, and they are covered in hair.
What colors work best for the spots?
Orange or brown spots on yellow fur are the classic choice. Any dark color works as long as the spots stand out from the coat.
