Free Cow Coloring Pages for Kids & Adults (PDF Printables)

Last updated: October 9, 2024 by the Homemade Gifts Coloring Team

Mooo-ove on over, these cow coloring pages are extra cute! One of my earliest childhood memories is of a farm-stay, when a 3-year-old me was mesmerized by a group of cows mooing in a grassy paddock. Even as an adult, I find something really captivating about the humble cow, particularly the handsome and hairy Highland cows! If you share my love of cows, you’ll want to color them too! Why not get creative with these fantastic farm animals with our printable cow coloring pages?

You can print off as many of these free, printable cow coloring pages as you wish, sit around the table, choose your favorite color, and enjoy a little family time. While you’re at it, learn a few fun facts about cows further down this page, as you and your kids color them in. We have everything from realistic farm cow coloring pages, to cute cartoon cow coloring pages, and of course, everyone’s favorite Highland cows (complete with impressive horns). Or, how about a quirky ninja cow, that brings a whole new meaning to the term karate chop?!

Our cow coloring pages are available in a wide range of styles, from sweet baby cow coloring pages, and even detailed landscape cow coloring pages that could challenge adults, to a little mindful coloring on mountains, trees, and nature. Scroll down this page for handy coloring suggestions on how to make your cow coloring pages into works of art.

Cute and Baby Cow Coloring Pages

Color in our cute cow coloring pages. Little kids will adore these moo-cows (some wearing sunglasses and hats). Yes, we know technically they are called calves, and our playful baby cow coloring pages are far too adorable not to print.

Highland Cow Coloring Pages

These shaggy Highland cow coloring pages are just beautiful! Hailing from the rugged mountains of Scotland, this hardy herd can withstand freezing temperatures with their wavy wooly coats.

Realistic Cow Coloring Pages for Adults

Be sure to carefully color these realistic cow coloring pages for adults and teens. These pages are packed with detail and intricate designs that are perfect to get creative with. From detailed countryside backgrounds to textured coats, adults will enjoy mindful coloring with these cow coloring pages.

Coloring Tips for Your Free Cow Coloring Pages

The color scheme for cows is not limited to black and white. Let your imagination run free! This makes coloring cows a whole lot more fun for kids. For older kids and adults, a cow coloring sheet can include detail, with highlights and shading to give plenty of character. Here are our 5 top coloring tips for cows:

1. Choose a Color Palette
   

   How now, brown cow? When coloring a cow, selecting the right color palette is important, if you’d like your artwork to look realistic. Either observe real cows, or it may be quicker to do a little online research by googling cow pictures if you live in the city! But remember, your cow doesn’t have to look cow-like. How about a rainbow cow? Encourage kids to experiment with bright colors and patterns to make their cow artwork playful and unique.

2. Use Different Shades
   

   Adding shades gives depth and dimension to your cow coloring page. If you’re coloring a Highland cow, use a light brown pencil or crayon for the base layer, then a little red/orange – that will give them their unique “ginger” look! You can even add darker browns when shading.

3. Add Fur Textures
   

   Highlighting fur texture (particularly on the Highland cows) is a must. Older children and adults will like to use fine strokes to create the look of individual strands of hair. For younger artists, simplify this technique by showing them how to use short, consistent lines to copy the look of fur – be that shaggy or smooth. This will help their cow creation come to life!

4. Focus on the Background
   

   Cows are usually found chewing on a mouthful of grass in the countryside. Some of our coloring pages come with a little grass already, but if not, why not add green blades of grass to your picture? Drawing a nature-filled background will make your coloring page unique to you. Kids will enjoy filling a blue sky with fluffy white clouds, sunshine, birds, or even a colorful rainbow. Adults can add more complex environments, like a mountain, creek or barn – or why not choose a page with those elements already outlined for you, ready to color?

5. Add Highlights and Shadows
   

   To make your cow look really realistic, focus on where the light hits them and where shadows will fall. Use light colors or a white pencil to add highlights to areas like the top of the cow’s head and snout, where the sun might naturally hit. You can use darker shades under the cow’s belly or behind its legs, to create shadows. Children can grasp the idea that adding a little darkness under the belly or feet will make the cow seem three-dimensional.

7 Interesting Facts About Cows

Immerse yourself in cow facts while you’re coloring these amazing animals. There’s so much to learn, but here are a few fun facts that we love about cows.

• Cows Have Finely Tuned Senses. Did you know that cows can hear and see better than humans? Their eyes on the side of their head means that they have more than a 300° line of sight, compared to a human’s 180°. They are color-blind like dogs (so bulls don’t actually see red), and also share their excellent sense of hearing and smell.
• Royal Cows. The late Queen Elizabeth II ordered Highland cattle to be kept at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, in 1954. They are still kept there today.
• Cows Get Gas! Pew-wee, what’s that smell?! A cow’s digestion process can create up to 500 liters of methane gas per day.
• Famous Cows. Famous cartoon cows include Clarabelle Cow, the Disney cow, one of Minnie Mouse’s friends. “Cow” from Cow and Chicken, Ferdinand the Bull, and of course, the delicious Laughing Cow Cheese.
• Highland Longevity. The hairy Highland cow’s horns can grow up to three feet in length! Plus, they have a longer life expectancy than regular cows and can live for up to 20 years.
• Cows Have a Good Memory. Cows have best friends! Cows are very good at remembering people who are kind (or unkind) to them for years. They are sensitive souls and social creatures who stick close to their bovine buddies.
• Hairy Cows. Highland cows are unusual as they have a double coat of hair. Their oily outer hair covers a downy undercoat. This helps them withstand the freezing, wet conditions in the windy Scottish Highlands.

Horse Coloring Pages

Looking for more coloring pages to fill your ranch and pasture? Check out our large collection of horse coloring pages for everything from cute riding horses to majestic wild horse pictures to color.

Looking for More Coloring Pages?

Your coloring fun doesn’t need to stop with cows. Maybe you’re more of a bird person? Or how about cats? Be sure to check out our free and fun printable coloring themes in our full collection of coloring pages.


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This printable is for personal, non-commercial use only.