Free Vikings Coloring Pages: 24 printable PDF designs of the Norse seafarers, showing warriors with axes, swords, and round shields, a bearded Viking, a rider on horseback, battle scenes, longships under sail, groups of Vikings rowing at sea, a helmet and weapon set, and Leif Erikson, including his arrival in North America and a meeting with Indigenous people. A funny Viking, a little Viking, and a cartoon swordsman add lighter options. A no-cost PDF exists for every page, and tablets open each drawing for digital coloring.
The Viking Age began with the raid on the monastery of Lindisfarne, England, in 793 and is usually said to end in 1066. Norse people from present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden sailed fast, shallow longships that could cross open ocean and row up rivers, reaching places as far apart as Greenland, the river routes toward Baghdad, and Newfoundland. Around the year 1000, Leif Erikson led one of the first European voyages to North America, and wood cut at the L’Anse aux Meadows site in Canada has been dated to 1021. Despite the popular image, there is no evidence that Vikings wore horned helmets, which first appeared in 19th-century art and opera costumes.
The pages range from playful to detailed. The funny, little, and cartoon Vikings use big heads and simple shapes for younger kids, the warrior and equipment pages feature chain mail, shield patterns, and axe blades, and the longship scenes give older children rigging, oars, and carved dragon prows to work through. The battle and village-fire pages are better suited to older students studying the period.
What’s Inside This Collection
Armed warriors and a rider fill 8 of the 24 designs, with ships, equipment, Leif Erikson, and cartoon Vikings completing the set.
Viking Warriors
Viking warriors pose with axes, swords, shields, and on horseback, and one shows a long, braided beard. Give tunics earthy wool colors such as Olive, Rust, or Mustard, color chain mail Silver Gray, and use Brown leather for belts and boots.
Longships and Viking Boats
Longships, Viking boats, and crews rowing at sea show the famous Norse vessels. Color hulls in layered Browns to show planks, sails in bold Red and White stripes, and round shields along the sides in alternating bright colors.
Helmets, Shields, and Axes
A helmet, two shields, axe sets, and weapon close-ups make easy equipment pages. Use Steel Gray for metal, Brown for wooden shields, and paint a cross, spiral, or knotwork design on each shield in Red, Blue, or Yellow.
Leif Erikson
Leif Erikson appears in a portrait and arrives in North America, plus a scene of Vikings meeting Indigenous people. Choose a Red or Brown cloak with a fur trim for Leif, and add Green forests and Blue water for the Newfoundland coast.
Cartoon and Funny Vikings
The funny Viking, little Viking, and cartoon Viking with a sword show the Norse in a friendly style. Give them bright Orange beards, rosy cheeks, and colorful tunics for a cheerful look.
Battle Scenes
Two pages show Viking battles and a village on fire. Use muted Grays and Browns for smoke and sky, with Orange and Red reserved for flames, and consider these pages for older children.
What Vikings Coloring Pages Do
Bringing history to life. Coloring longships, shields, and Leif Erikson’s voyage turns textbook facts into images children remember. Teachers can pair these pages with a map showing Viking travel routes from Scandinavia to North America. Kids can label each country after coloring.
Training fine motor control. Shield patterns, chain mail, and braided beards demand careful pencil work. Children between 2 and 7 build the hand strength and coordination needed for writing through activities like coloring, a connection American Academy of Pediatrics developmental resources underline, and the detailed pages extend that practice for older kids.
Calming focus for all ages. Adults filling structured designs reported less anxiety than free drawers, according to the Art Therapy Journal in 2005. Tracing the long, smooth lines of a longship sail is especially relaxing.
Separating myth from fact. Horned helmets, wild barbarians, and dragon ships appear in movies and cartoons, but real Vikings were also farmers, traders, and explorers. Comparing cartoon pages with historical ones teaches children to question popular images and look for evidence.
How to Color Vikings Pages Well
- Natural dyes: Use earthy shades like Rust, Ochre, and Olive for clothing, since Vikings colored wool with plants and minerals.
- Metal details: Shade chain mail with small overlapping loops of Gray and Black.
- Wooden hulls: Draw thin, darker lines between planks to show how longships were built.
- Shield designs: Divide each round shield into sections and color them in contrasting colors.
- Dragon prows: Color-carved figureheads in Brown with Red or Gold accents.
- Sea scenes: Layer Navy and Turquoise for cold northern waters with White foam.
5 Creative Craft Ideas With Vikings Coloring Pages
1. Viking Shield Craft
Color a shield page, glue it to a cardboard circle, and add a paper strap on the back to hold it.
2. Longship Fleet Display
Color several ship pages, trim each vessel, and sail the fleet across a long strip of blue paper waves.
3. Leif Erikson Voyage Map
Color Leif Erikson and glue him onto a map with a dotted route from Norway to Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland.
4. Rune Name Card
Color a Viking warrior and write the child’s name in Viking runes beneath the picture.
5. Myth vs Fact Poster
Color a cartoon Viking and a historical warrior side by side and list facts that separate fiction from history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Vikings Coloring Pages?
This collection offers 24 free outlines of Viking warriors, longships, helmets, shields, Leif Erikson, and cartoon Vikings for paper or tablet coloring.
Who were the Vikings?
The Vikings were Norse seafarers from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden who raided, traded, explored, and settled across Europe and beyond between about 793 and 1066.
Did Vikings wear horned helmets?
No. There is no evidence that Vikings wore horned helmets. The image became popular in the 19th century through paintings and opera costumes.
What was a Viking longship?
A longship was a long, narrow wooden ship with a shallow hull, oars, and a square sail. It could cross oceans and also travel up shallow rivers.
Who was Leif Erikson?
Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer, son of Erik the Red, who reached North America around the year 1000. In the United States, October 9 is celebrated as Leif Erikson Day.
Did Vikings really reach North America?
Yes. Archaeologists found a Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada, and wood from the site has been dated to 1021.
What age are Vikings coloring pages for?
Cartoon Viking and equipment pages suit children from about 4. Warrior and ship pages fit kids 6 and up, and the battle scenes are best for older students.
What writing did the Vikings use?
Vikings wrote with runes, an alphabet called the Futhark. They carved runes on stones, wood, and metal objects.
Start Coloring
Pick a warrior, a longship, or Leif Erikson among the 24 designs, then download the PDF at no cost or shade it on a tablet, with no sign-up. Young historians can post their finished longships and warriors to Facebook or Pinterest.
