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how to draw a octopus

How to draw a octopus - a free octopus drawing guide

Draw a friendly octopus step-by-step using basic shapes, practice lines, symmetry, and tentacle placement, then color and label body parts.

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Photos of friendly octopus drawings

Step-by-step guide to draw a friendly octopus

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How to Draw an OCTOPUS! Kids Learning Videos

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, coloring materials (crayons markers or colored pencils), black marker or pen

Step 1

Put your paper flat on the table.

Step 2

Draw a light vertical guide line down the middle of the page with your pencil.

Step 3

Draw a large rounded oval near the top half of the page centered on the guide for the octopus's head and body.

Step 4

Make two small dots on the guide near the top of the oval to mark where the eyes will go.

Step 5

Draw two big round eyes around those dots keeping them the same size on each side of the guide.

Step 6

Draw small filled circles inside each eye for pupils leaving a tiny white dot if you want a sparkle.

Step 7

Draw a curved smile under the eyes in the center of the oval.

Step 8

Draw eight long wavy tentacle outlines starting from the bottom edge of the oval with four on each side.

Step 9

Add small circles along the inner edge of each tentacle to make suction cups.

Step 10

Trace over all the pencil lines with a black marker or pen.

Step 11

Wait for the marker ink to dry completely.

Step 12

Erase the pencil guide line and any stray pencil marks.

Step 13

Color the octopus and its tentacles using your coloring materials.

Step 14

Write labels for head eyes tentacles and suction cups next to each part.

Step 15

Share your finished octopus on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a black marker or certain coloring materials?

If you don't have a black marker, trace your penciled octopus with a dark ballpoint pen or fine-tip crayon, and use crayons, colored pencils, or watercolors to color the octopus after the ink dries.

What should we do if the eyes or tentacles look uneven or the marker keeps smudging?

Use the light vertical guide and a small round template (like a coin) to match eye sizes and measure tentacle placement, and prevent smudging by waiting for the traced marker lines to dry completely before erasing pencil marks.

How can we adapt the activity for different ages?

For younger children, pre-draw the oval and a few simple tentacles for them to trace and color, while older kids can add extra suction cup rows, shading details, and more precise labels for head, eyes, tentacles, and suction cups.

How can we extend or personalize the octopus drawing once it's finished?

Add a painted ocean background with seaweed and bubbles, decorate suction cups with glitter or stickers, invent unique patterns or expressions for your octopus, and write a short caption before sharing the final photo on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a friendly octopus

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw an Octopus 🐙 | Easy Step by Step Drawing for Kids | Color's Artbox

4 Videos

Facts about drawing for kids

🐙 Octopuses have eight arms and three hearts — that's a lot of important stuff in one squishy friend!

🎨 They can change color and even texture to hide or send messages using special skin cells called chromatophores.

🧠 Octopuses are super smart: they can solve puzzles, open jars, and remember tricks.

👅 Each arm has hundreds of suction cups that can taste what they touch, so octopuses can "taste" with their arms.

🔁 Octopuses have bilateral symmetry (left and right mirror each other), which makes practicing symmetry great for drawing them.

How do you draw a friendly octopus step-by-step?

Start with a light pencil circle for the head, then draw a slightly flattened oval below for the body. Add two large round eyes and a smiling mouth. Sketch eight evenly spaced curved guide lines for tentacles, keeping them flowing and varied in length. Refine each tentacle with a second parallel curve, add small suction-cup circles, erase guides, outline with a darker pen, then color. Finally label parts like head, tentacle, and eye to reinforce vocabulary.

What materials do I need to draw an octopus with my child?

You only need basic art supplies: plain paper, a pencil with eraser, a black fine-tip marker or crayon for outlining, and colored pencils or markers for filling in. Optional helpful items include a circular object to trace the head, a ruler for symmetry guides, a white crayon for resist effects, and sticky labels or a pen for naming body parts. Choose washable, non-toxic materials for younger children and a protective table cover.

What ages is this octopus drawing activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages about 3–10 when adapted: toddlers (3–4) can draw simple circles and squiggles with adult help; preschoolers (4–6) can follow basic step guidelines and color; early elementary (6–8) practice symmetry and tentacle spacing; older kids (8–10) refine details and add patterns. Adjust guidance, patience, and tool choice for each age, and offer tracing or stencils for younger children to build confidence.

What are the benefits of drawing an octopus for kids?

Drawing an octopus builds fine motor skills, hand–eye coordination, and early geometry understanding through shapes and symmetry. Practicing curved tentacles improves line control and rhythm, while labeling body parts boosts vocabulary and science interest. It also encourages creativity when children choose colors and patterns, and supports concentration and confidence as they complete a recognizable creature. Use non-toxic materials and regular breaks to keep the activity safe and enjoyable.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw a octopus

How to draw a octopus - a free octopus drawing guide

Draw a friendly octopus step-by-step using basic shapes, practice lines, symmetry, and tentacle placement, then color and label body parts.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of friendly octopus drawings

Step-by-step guide to draw a friendly octopus

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw an OCTOPUS! Kids Learning Videos

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, coloring materials (crayons markers or colored pencils), black marker or pen

Step 1

Put your paper flat on the table.

Step 2

Draw a light vertical guide line down the middle of the page with your pencil.

Step 3

Draw a large rounded oval near the top half of the page centered on the guide for the octopus's head and body.

Step 4

Make two small dots on the guide near the top of the oval to mark where the eyes will go.

Step 5

Draw two big round eyes around those dots keeping them the same size on each side of the guide.

Step 6

Draw small filled circles inside each eye for pupils leaving a tiny white dot if you want a sparkle.

Step 7

Draw a curved smile under the eyes in the center of the oval.

Step 8

Draw eight long wavy tentacle outlines starting from the bottom edge of the oval with four on each side.

Step 9

Add small circles along the inner edge of each tentacle to make suction cups.

Step 10

Trace over all the pencil lines with a black marker or pen.

Step 11

Wait for the marker ink to dry completely.

Step 12

Erase the pencil guide line and any stray pencil marks.

Step 13

Color the octopus and its tentacles using your coloring materials.

Step 14

Write labels for head eyes tentacles and suction cups next to each part.

Step 15

Share your finished octopus on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a black marker or certain coloring materials?

If you don't have a black marker, trace your penciled octopus with a dark ballpoint pen or fine-tip crayon, and use crayons, colored pencils, or watercolors to color the octopus after the ink dries.

What should we do if the eyes or tentacles look uneven or the marker keeps smudging?

How can we adapt the activity for different ages?

How can we extend or personalize the octopus drawing once it's finished?

Watch videos on how to draw a friendly octopus

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw an Octopus 🐙 | Easy Step by Step Drawing for Kids | Color's Artbox

4 Videos

Facts about drawing for kids

🐙 Octopuses have eight arms and three hearts — that's a lot of important stuff in one squishy friend!

🎨 They can change color and even texture to hide or send messages using special skin cells called chromatophores.

🧠 Octopuses are super smart: they can solve puzzles, open jars, and remember tricks.

👅 Each arm has hundreds of suction cups that can taste what they touch, so octopuses can "taste" with their arms.

🔁 Octopuses have bilateral symmetry (left and right mirror each other), which makes practicing symmetry great for drawing them.