On this page
Forget the old stories for a moment. On this dragon and knight coloring page, the two of them are not fighting at all. A young knight sits on a log with a marshmallow on a long stick, and a huge green dragon lies curled around the campfire with its chin on the ground. It has just breathed a small flame to get the logs going.
Stars fill the sky, a castle sits on a far hill, and the knight's horse naps under a tree. A sword and shield lean against a rock, forgotten for the night. Kids aged 5 to 11 should allow about half an hour.
A new ending to an old tale
This drawing is a good way to talk about stories. In many old tales the knight rides out to fight the dragon. What if they just got to know each other? Ask your child how these two might have met. Who spoke first? Why is the dragon so calm? Kids often come up with a better story than any book.
For a small child who is scared of dragons, this picture can really help. The big creature is gentle here, and the small person is safe.
Armor, scales and a warm glow
The campfire is the only light in this scene, and that gives you a great plan. Things close to the flames should be warm and bright. Things far from it should be cool and dim.
- Armor: gray, with a bit of orange on the side that faces the fire.
- Dragon: green near the fire, then going to a deep blue green at the tail.
- Sky: dark navy, with stars left white or pale yellow.
- Fire: white at the core, then yellow, orange and red.
The shield has a big design on it, so give that your best color. Choose a bright red and gold, or invent a family crest. Your child might want to put a tiny dragon on it, which fits the story well.
Dragon and knight coloring page tips
Start at the fire and work outward. It is much easier to match the glow if you can see it. Make the logs dark brown, then color the knight, then the dragon's head. Leave the sky for last, since dark crayons smudge. A clean sheet of paper under your hand will protect your work.
Keep the marshmallow white, with a little toasty brown on one side. It's a small thing, but people always notice it.
What knights really wore
A knight in the Middle Ages trained for years, often starting as a young page. The steel plate armor on this page came later in the age of knights. A full suit weighed around 33 to 55 pounds, and that is less than many kids expect. Good armor was fitted to the wearer, so a knight could still run and climb in it. Read more in this article on plate armor.
Each knight's shield often had its own design, so people could tell who was who on the field. Those designs became coats of arms. That is why the shield in this picture is worth your time.
Design your own coat of arms
Draw a big shield on a sheet of paper and divide it into four parts. In each one, draw something about your family: a pet, a hobby, a favorite food, a place you love. Pick a family motto as well. It can be silly, like "Always bring snacks." Hang it next to your finished dragon and knight coloring page.
Boxes make good armor too. Cut arm holes in a large cardboard box and cover it in foil. A cereal box helmet with a slit for the eyes finishes the look, and it's perfect for a backyard campfire game.
Toast something real
On a cool night, make s'mores with a grown up at the fire pit. No fire pit? The oven broiler works too, with adult help. Put a marshmallow and a square of chocolate on a graham cracker and watch it closely for a minute. Enjoy it while you tell your dragon story.
More tales from the castle
Stay in the same story with the castle dragon page, or meet the princess and her dragon. All of these are in our dragon coloring collection.
Questions
Is there any fighting on this page?
No. The two are friends, and the only flame is the one lighting their campfire.
What color should the armor be?
Silver gray is the classic choice. A very light blue shading also looks a lot like shiny metal.
Is it a good page for boys and girls?
Yes. The helmet hides the hair, so a child can decide who the knight is.
