Free Intelligent Animals Coloring Pages

Animals coloring pages have always been a favorite in our house, but this set goes a step further by highlighting some of the smartest creatures on the planet.

When my son started asking things like “Can pigs really solve puzzles?” or “Do dolphins talk?”, I knew it was time to bring in a hands-on way to explore animal intelligence.

These printables combine fun facts with creative coloring, helping kids learn how clever animals like parrots, octopuses, and chimpanzees really are, all while keeping their hands (and minds) busy.

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Intelligent Animals Worksheet

This 12-page printable coloring book introduces kids to some of the world’s most intelligent animals in a way that’s fun, hands-on, and easy to engage with.

The first 10 pages each feature one animal with:

• a short fun fact about its intelligence
• a large image to color
• a name-tracing section for early writing practice

The animals included are:
Pig, Octopus, Pigeon, Dog, Rat, Parrot, Elephant, Dolphin, and Chimpanzee.

The final two pages are mix-and-match puzzles. Kids match each animal’s name to its picture. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to reinforce learning.

This free printable is for personal and classroom use only. Scroll to the bottom of the post to access the file.

Pigs

Pigs are clever problem-solvers with memories that rival dogs. In maze experiments, they can remember turns and shortcuts for days. My son thought it was wild that they could beat some animals at memory games!

Rats

Rats are fast learners and great at figuring out puzzles, especially in mazes. But what really fascinated us was how they can help each other, sharing food or cooperating to get a reward. That’s not just smart, it’s social intelligence too.

Octopus

Octopuses are the ultimate escape artists. Their flexible bodies and problem-solving skills make them some of the most intelligent invertebrates around.

Dolphins

Dolphins don’t just communicate, they give themselves names using whistles. They’ve also been spotted working together to trap fish in tight circles, like a choreographed team. It’s one thing to be smart, but dolphins take it further with strategy and cooperation.

Pigeons

Pigeons have been delivering messages for centuries because they can always find their way home, even from hundreds of miles away. My son was shocked to learn they can remember images and landmarks for years, like living GPS with wings.

Parrots

Parrots are famous for mimicking words, but some can actually use them in the right context. There’s one African grey parrot that learned over 100 words and could even answer questions.

Dogs

Dogs don’t just respond to commands, they often understand how we feel. They can learn hundreds of words and gestures, and some breeds are trained to detect health issues or help in emergencies. It’s no wonder they’re such loyal companions and helpers.

Elephants

Elephants never forget, and that’s not just a saying. They remember watering holes, migration paths, and even other elephants they haven’t seen in years. What surprised my son the most was that elephants comfort each other when one is sad.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees use sticks to fish termites out of mounds and rocks to crack open nuts. They’re also known to use sign language in research settings. Watching videos of chimps learning to communicate was one of the most fascinating parts of this activity for us.

Educational Benefits

What I liked most about these coloring pages is how much learning we got out of something so simple. While my son was focused on coloring and tracing the animal names, he was also picking up new vocabulary and remembering facts without much effort.

The short descriptions gave us easy ways to talk about big ideas, like memory, communication, and problem-solving, without it feeling like a science lesson. It also got him asking questions, which led us to look up videos and learn more.

It’s one of those activities that works across ages too. Younger kids can just enjoy the coloring and tracing, while older ones might dive into the facts and start making connections on their own.

More Animal Activities

If your kids enjoyed learning about smart animals, there are a few other printables that pair well with this set. Alphabet animals coloring pages are a fun way to work on letter sounds — my son always remembered “A is for alligator” because he colored it in bright green.

You could also try body parts of animals worksheets that explore different animal anatomy, like wings, tails, or trunks. They’re a good fit for kids who like to know how things work.

For a bit of number practice, the animal color by number pages let younger kids work on recognition while still getting to color. And if your child’s curious about how animals grow and change, our life cycle printables (like butterfly or frog) offer a hands-on way to explore that too.

Get the Free Intelligent Animal Coloring Page Here!

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free animal coloring pages.

Last Updated on 20 June 2025 by Clare Brown