How to Draw a Lizard – Easy Drawing
It’s drawing time! Today, we’re going to learn how to draw a cute cartoon lizard in just a few easy steps. This lizard drawing tutorial is super simple, perfect for kids or anyone who wants to draw a cute cartoon-style lizard.
In just 6 simple steps, you’ll learn how to draw a happy lizard with a curly tail and smiling face. You can even download our free printable at the end to follow along.
You’ll Need:
- Paper
- Pencil or marker
- Printable step-by-step guide (mention they can grab it at the end)
How to Draw a Lizard Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Draw the Head
Start with a sideways oval near the top of your page. This will be the lizard’s head. Make it a bit pointy at one end like a stretched-out egg.
Step 2: Add the Body
Right behind the head, draw a long, slightly curved shape like a sausage. This is the lizard’s body. It can curve a little to show movement.
Step 3: Draw the Tail
From the end of the body, draw a long swirly line going backward to make the lizard’s tail. Bring the line back around to connect it, kind of like a wiggly cone shape.
Step 4: Add the Eyes and Smile
Go back to the head. Draw two small circles for the eyes near the top. Add a tiny dot inside each one. Now draw a small curved line underneath for a little smile.
Step 5: Draw the Front Legs
Under the front of the body, draw two bent stick legs. Add three little toes at the end of each one like tiny fingers. It’s okay if they look a bit wiggly.
Step 6: Add the Back Legs
At the back of the body, draw two more legs, but this time angle them backwards like the lizard is ready to run. Again, add three small toes to each.
Step 7: Details and Texture
If you want, draw small spots or lines on the lizard’s back and tail to make it look scaly. Add little lines on the toes too if you want claws.
Final Touch – Color Your Lizard
Now it’s time to bring your lizard to life. You can color it green like a garden lizard or try orange, blue, or even rainbow colors. Add a background with rocks or leaves if you’d like. It’s your drawing – go wild.
Grab Your Free Lizard Drawing Printable
Want to keep practicing? Download your free How to Draw a Lizard printable worksheet below. Take it with you and draw anytime, anywhere.
How to Draw a Climbing Lizard – Easy Guide for Kids (Version 2)
Step 1: Draw the Head
Start at the top center of your page. Draw a soft triangle pointing up with slightly rounded corners. This is the lizard’s head. Curve the sides a little to give it a natural shape.
Step 2: Add the Body Line
From both sides of the head, draw two long, smooth lines going down. These lines should curve gently inward around the waist area, then flare slightly at the hips. It should look like a long, stretched-out oval that narrows in the middle.
Step 3: Draw the Tail
From the bottom of the body, continue one of the lines into a long spiral. This curly shape becomes the tail. Make the tail thicker near the body and thinner as it curls around.
Step 4: Sketch the Front Legs
On both sides of the upper body (just under the head), draw bent arms sticking out like an “L” shape. At the end of each arm, draw five long toes like rounded fingers spread wide. They should look like suction pads.
Step 5: Draw the Back Legs
Toward the bottom of the body, draw two more legs bent outward. These can be shaped like stretched “Z”s. Again, add five sticky toes at the end of each leg.
Step 6: Final Touches
You can leave the lizard clean and simple, or add tiny dots along the back for texture. You can also shade the toes or outline them for extra boldness.
Time to Color
Color your lizard any way you like. Use greens, browns, oranges, or go wild with rainbow shades. You can also keep it as a black outline to use as a coloring page.
How to Draw a Lizard – Version 3
Step 1: Draw the Head
Start with a small sideways oval shape near the top left of your paper. This will be the lizard’s head. You can make it slightly pointy at the front to suggest the nose.
Step 2: Make the Body
From the back of the head, draw a long, curved line going down and around like a banana or a backwards “C.” This is the lizard’s body.
Step 3: Add the Tail
Continue the body line into a long, thin tail that curves up or spirals. Lizards have long tails, so make it stretch out nicely.
Step 4: Draw the Legs
Under the body, draw four legs – two near the front and two near the back. Use bent stick lines to make them look like they’re crawling. Add three tiny toes at the end of each leg.
Step 5: Add the Face
Draw one small dot for the eye and a curved line for the mouth to give your lizard a happy look. You can also add a tiny oval for the nostril.
Step 6: Decorate and Color
Add little dots or wavy lines on the back and tail to make the lizard look scaly. Then color it green, brown, orange or any wild color you like.
Gallery Time: Show Off Your Lizard Drawing
We’d love to see your awesome lizard masterpiece! Ask a parent or teacher to tag @drawtwist on social media or email it to us at info@drawtwist.com to be featured in our Artist Gallery.
Your drawing might inspire another young artist to try their own twisty-tailed lizard, so don’t be shy – share your scaly creation.
Lizard Fun Facts
Love lizards? Here are some cool facts to tickle your reptile brain:
- Lizards use their tongues to smell the air just like snakes.
- The smallest lizard is the dwarf gecko, only about the size of a paperclip.
- Some lizards can drop their tails to escape predators, then grow them back.
- Lizards are cold-blooded, so they love to sunbathe on warm rocks.
Lizard Joke Time
How do lizards talk on the phone?
A: With their scale-ular service.
What’s a lizard’s favorite dance move?
A: The tail-spin.
What do you call a rich lizard?
A: A billion-scales.
What’s a lizard’s favorite snack?
A: Bug-itos and salsa.
Mini Lizard Quiz
Think you know your lizards? Let’s find out!
- What do lizards use their tongues for?
- True or False: All lizards can regrow their tails.
- What’s the name of the lizard that can run on water?
- Are lizards warm-blooded or cold-blooded?
- How many legs does a lizard have?
Answers:
To smell | True | Basilisk | Cold-blooded | 4
Say “Lizard” in Different Languages
How do other kids say “lizard”?
| Language | Word for Lizard |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Lagarto |
| French | Lézard |
| German | Eidechse |
| Italian | Lucertola |
| Japanese | Tokage (とかげ) |
| English | Lizard |
Try saying them all and pretend you’re a globe-trotting gecko.
Lizard vs Snake – What’s the Difference?
Teach kids how to tell these two reptiles apart with this mini guide:
Lizards:
- Have legs
- Can blink
- Often have eyelids and external ears
- Some can grow back their tails
Snakes:
- No legs
- Can’t blink
- No external ears
- Can’t grow back their tails
Can you draw both and label what makes them different?
Lizard Riddle Time
Try these riddles to test your reptile smarts;
I sunbathe all day and hide in the shade,
My long tail wiggles, but I’m not afraid.
Who am I?
Answer: A lizard!
I lose my tail but it comes right back,
I’m quick on the rocks and good at attack.
Who could I be?
Answer: A gecko!
I change my colors to blend in with style,
I sit on a branch and watch you a while.
What lizard am I?
Answer: A chameleon!
Lizard Book Picks (For Young Readers)
Rest your drawing hand and explore more lizard fun with these books:
- “Lizards” by Melissa Gish – Real photos and awesome facts.
- “Day in the Life of a Lizard” by Sharon Katz Cooper – Follow a lizard’s daily adventures.
- “The Mixed-Up Chameleon” by Eric Carle – A silly and colorful lizard story for little ones.
Find more easy drawing ideas:
How to Draw a Bee, How to Draw a Cat, Easy Octopus Doodle Ideas to Try, Simple Whale Doodle Drawing Ideas, How to Draw a Snail
