Fire Dragon Coloring Page

This fire dragon coloring page is for kids who want something bold. A big two horned dragon sits on a black lava rock with its wings half open and its tail curled around the stone. Flames run all the way down its back like a mane, and its tail ends in a burst of fire. Behind it, a volcano throws sparks and rocks into a smoky sky.

Rivers of lava cut across the ground in front. The scales and flames take time, so this suits ages 7 to 13. Expect an hour, or two shorter sittings.

Plan the heat on your fire dragon coloring page

The strongest fire dragon coloring page has a clear plan for light. Fire is the brightest thing in this scene, so everything else should be darker. Choose your hottest spots first. These are the flames on the back, the tail tip and the mouth of the volcano. Leave them for later and keep the white of the paper near the core of each flame.

Then work outward with yellow, orange and red. It takes three steps, and it gives real glow. If you only have one red, press lightly near the middle and hard at the edge.

Scales that look like hot metal

Red is the obvious choice for the body. Try a deep red, then add orange on the scales that face the volcano. Scales on the other side can go darker, with a bit of purple. This makes the dragon look lit from one side, a trick that older kids will enjoy learning.

• Belly plates: gold or pale yellow, in long even bands.
• Horns: cream at the base, going to dark brown at the tips.
• Wings: orange in the skin and dark red on the bones.
• Eye: bright yellow, with a dark slit left in the center.

The rock should be close to black. Dark gray with a bit of purple keeps it from going flat. For the sky, smoky gray and a dull orange near the volcano will make the dragon jump forward.

Advice for tiny scales

Do a few rows, then stop and look. Scales are repetitive work, and some kids get bored by the middle of the neck. Put on some music and set a goal of ten rows at a time. A sharp pencil helps, and so does turning the page so your hand follows the row.

Color the dark rock last. That keeps the black crayon from rubbing into the reds and yellows.

Are there real fire breathers?

No real animal can breathe fire, but the stories are very old. Dragons turn up in tales from Europe, China, the Middle East and many other places. In Europe they are often winged and breathe flame, while the dragons of China tend to be long, wise and tied to water. You can compare the two in this article on dragons.

The real volcano is no story, though. Lava can be hotter than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit when it comes out of the ground. Kids who love this page may also enjoy learning how volcanoes form.

Build a baking soda volcano

Stand a small cup in a pan and shape foil or play dough around it. Put in two spoons of baking soda and a few drops of red food coloring. Pour in some vinegar and step back. The foam rushes up and over, a bit like the lava on your page. Set your colored dragon behind it for a great photo.

Students can also write a short dragon fact sheet. Have them make up the name, size, food and home of this dragon, then invent one weakness. What could put out its flames?

Draw your own dragon egg

Fire dragons might hatch from fire eggs. Ask your child to draw one on the back of this sheet, then give it a scale pattern and hot colors. They could add a small claw breaking through the shell.

Other dragons for your wall

See the big blast on our fire breathing dragon page, or try the fine scales of the detailed dragon. You will find them all in our dragon coloring pages.

Questions