Arctic Fox Coloring Page

This arctic fox coloring page shows a slim fox sitting in the snow and looking back over its shoulder, with its big bushy tail curled around its feet. It has small rounded ears, a narrow pointed snout and tufted cheeks. Soft curved tufts of fur cover its chest, hip and tail. Bands of northern lights ripple across a starry sky above blue mountains and snowy pines. Rated medium for ages 6 to 12, it takes about 25 to 35 minutes.

Soft tufts, sweet face

The fur is what makes this fox fun, and it is also why the page is rated medium. Each tuft is its own small closed shape, with open fur around it. The biggest group sits on the chest ruff, and more follow the curve of the tail. A darker cap runs from the top of the head down to the nose, which gives the face its fox look.

Eyes and whisker dots are already drawn in, so kids get a finished face with no effort. That helps younger children, who may worry about spoiling a face. If the tufts feel like too much, skip them and fill the big shapes around them.

Winter fox or summer fox?

You get to pick the season, and this is the best idea on the page. A real arctic fox changes with the year. National Geographic describes a white coat in winter, sometimes blue-gray, that turns brown or gray in summer. So you can color this one two ways.

For a winter fox, leave the coat white and color the world around it. Dark blue in the sky and pale blue on the snow will show off the shape. Our colored sample adds soft gray on the cap, the back and the tail tip.

For a summer fox, try brown or gray on the coat, then swap the snow for green tundra with little flowers. Print two copies, make one of each, and hang them as a pair. Kids see how camouflage works without you saying a word.

A third choice is a blue-gray fox. Few kids expect that one, and it looks great against pale snow.

Arctic fox coloring page color notes

• Northern lights: teal, mint and pale purple bands.
• Sky: navy for a true night, with yellow stars.
• Mountains: pale blue with white tips.
• Ears: soft pink inside, white around the edge.
• Eyes: yellow around the dark centers.

Fur looks best with short strokes. Instead of coloring in rows, make quick little flicks that follow the body. It works well on the tail, where the curve gives you a natural path.

Arctic fox facts for kids

That tail is more than decoration. It helps the fox keep its balance, and it makes a warm cover in cold weather, so the big tail in this arctic fox coloring page is true to life. The fox wraps up in it like a blanket.

These animals can survive temperatures as low as 58 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. They have furry soles on their feet, along with short ears and a short muzzle that help them handle the cold. The small rounded ears on this drawing match the real thing, so point that out to curious kids.

In winter, arctic foxes may follow polar bears to eat the leftover scraps from their kills. They live in burrows, and in a blizzard they may tunnel into the snow for shelter. Find more on the National Geographic arctic fox page.

Things to try next

Play hide and seek with color. Cut a fox from white paper and one from brown. Put each on a white sheet, then ask which is harder to spot.

Feel the difference fur makes. Have kids touch an ice cube with a bare finger, then through a thick sock. Ask what the fox's furry feet must feel like on the snow.

Kids can also write a short poem about the fox. It only takes three lines: one about the fur, one about the tail and one about the northern lights.

More foxes and friends

Want a fox for warmer months? Print our fox coloring page. The snowy owl coloring page and the polar bear coloring page will complete your Arctic set.

Questions