Dinosaurs were an incredible group of animals that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. From the herbivorous giants like Brachiosaurus to the fearsome predators like Allosaurus and Spinosaurus, each type of dinosaur had its own unique characteristics. Adding color through coloring activities brings them to life and deepens our understanding.
Mesozoic Era’s Geologic Time Periods
Before taking a closer look at some of these incredible creatures, here are the years of each period. These periods are all part of the Mesozoic Era, which is also known as the “Age of Dinosaurs.”
| Late Triassic period | 237-201.3 million years ago |
| Early Jurassic period | 201.3-174.1 million years ago |
| Late Jurassic period | 163.5-145 million years ago |
| Late Cretaceous period | 100.5-66 million years ago |
Late Triassic Period
Plateosaurus
Plateosaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period. It had a long neck and tail and walked on two legs. It was one of the earliest dinosaurs and coexisted with some early well-known giant sauropods.
Download the printable coloring page here: Plateosaurus Coloring Page
Early Jurassic Period
Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus, from the Early Jurassic period, had a pair of crests on its head. These crests, along with their slender body and agility, set Dilophosaurus apart from other dinosaurs. Although it’s often depicted as being able to spit venom in popular culture, this feature is not supported by scientific evidence.
Download the printable coloring page here: Dilophosaurus Coloring Page
Late Jurassic Period
Allosaurus
Allosaurus, a famous meat-eating dinosaur, thrived during the Late Jurassic period. With its razor-sharp teeth and mighty jaws, it emerged as a fearsome predator, hunting down other dinosaurs with skill and strength.
Download the printable coloring page here: Allosaurus Coloring Page
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus was a massive herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. With its long neck and forelimbs, it could reach leaves high up in trees. Just imagine standing next to this towering giant!
Download the printable coloring page here: Brachiosaurus Coloring Page
Brontosaurus
Brontosaurus was a gigantic dinosaur with a long neck and tail. Despite its massive size, Brontosaurus was a gentle herbivore, peacefully feeding on plants and living in herds.
Download the printable coloring page here: Brontosaurus Coloring Page
Late Cretaceous Period
Parasaurolophus
Parasaurolophus was a dinosaur with a unique feature—a crest on its head. This herbivore lived during the Late Cretaceous period and used its crest to make distinctive sounds. Imagine the calls echoing through prehistoric landscapes!
Download the printable coloring page here: Parasaurolophus Coloring Page
Carnotaurus
Carnotaurus was a distinct-looking dinosaur whose name means “meat-eating bull.” It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, and with its short, deep skull and small horns above its eyes, Carnotaurus was a swift predator capable of chasing down its prey.
Download the printable coloring page here: Carnotaurus Coloring Page
Triceratops
Triceratops is one of the most recognizable dinosaurs. With its large frill and three horns on its face, it is an iconic figure from the Late Cretaceous period. Triceratops used their beak-like mouth to feed on vegetation and possibly used their horns and frill for defense or competing with other Triceratops.
Download the printable coloring page here: Triceratops Coloring Page
Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus, a dinosaur that reigned during the Late Cretaceous period, had a sail-like structure on its back. It was adapted for both land and water, with a long snout and strong limbs. It likely hunted fish and other aquatic creatures.
Download the printable coloring page here: Spinosaurus Coloring Page
Ankylosaurus
Ankylosaurus, a strong plant-eating dinosaur, had a remarkable defense system, with thick, hard armor covering its body and a tail that acted like a heavy club. These special features helped protect Ankylosaurus from predators.
Download the printable coloring page here: Ankylosaurus Coloring Page
Gallimimus
Gallimimus was a fast and agile dinosaur that was a theropod dinosaur, similar to the famous Velociraptor. Gallimimus had a slender body, a beak-like snout, and was known for its resemblance to modern-day birds.
Download the printable coloring page here: Gallimimus Coloring Page
Exploring their appearances and learning about their names and distinct features helps us better understand the amazing diversity of these prehistoric creatures.
Coloring brings joy and helps us appreciate the incredible variety and magnificence of dinosaurs. It allows us to create our own artistic masterpieces and connect with these fascinating creatures from the distant past. Travel through time, let your imagination fly, and let the colors breathe life into these amazing creatures in your mind.
