Dinosaurs
Pterodactyl Dot to Dot — Free 67-Dot Printable for Ages 5–7
Connect the dots to draw the most famous flying reptile of the prehistoric world! Pterodactyls soared over ancient oceans and rivers hunting for fish. This 67-dot printable worksheet is a good fit for children who can confidently count beyond 60.
Difficulty
Easy
Fun fact: Pterodactyls were not technically dinosaurs — they were flying reptiles called pterosaurs!
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Dinosaurs
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Ages 5–7 — Easy
How to Solve the Pterodactyl Dot-to-Dot Puzzle
Here is a brilliant puzzle fact to share before you begin: Pterodactyls were not actually dinosaurs at all! They were flying reptiles called pterosaurs, living alongside the dinosaurs but belonging to a completely separate group. They were also the first vertebrates — animals with a backbone — ever to evolve powered flight. With 67 dots this is a longer puzzle, so settle in and enjoy the process!
1–10 — The Head and Long Beak
Start at dot 1 and connect through to dot 10 to draw the long, pointed beak and distinctive crested head. The Pterodactyl head is one of the most unusual shapes in the natural world — long, narrow, and often tipped with a dramatic crest. Children practise a very elongated shape here, which is a refreshing challenge.
Fun fact!
Many pterosaur species had large crests on their heads, made of bone and soft tissue. Scientists believe these crests were used for display — attracting mates and communicating with other members of the group. Some crests were as large as the skull itself, making the head almost comically oversized.
Many pterosaur species had large crests on their heads, made of bone and soft tissue. Scientists believe these crests were used for display — attracting mates and communicating with other members of the group. Some crests were as large as the skull itself, making the head almost comically oversized.
11–24 — The Wings
Continue from dot 11 to dot 24 to sweep out the enormous wings. Pterodactyl wings were formed by a membrane of skin and muscle stretching from an enormously elongated fourth finger all the way to the body. Children learn to draw a wide, expansive arc — one of the most satisfying pencil movements in the whole collection.
Fun fact!
The Pterodactyl wing membrane was thin but incredibly tough, reinforced by tiny fibres running through it like a fabric. Unlike bat wings, which attach to the ankle, pterosaur wings may have attached higher up the leg, giving them a slightly different flight posture — more like a hang-glider than a bird.
The Pterodactyl wing membrane was thin but incredibly tough, reinforced by tiny fibres running through it like a fabric. Unlike bat wings, which attach to the ankle, pterosaur wings may have attached higher up the leg, giving them a slightly different flight posture — more like a hang-glider than a bird.
25–40 — The Body and Wing Fingers
Trace dots 25 through 40 to fill out the compact body and trace the extraordinary wing-finger structure. This section has the most dots in the puzzle and requires real sustained concentration — a wonderful exercise in perseverance. Remind children that every single dot is progress.
Fun fact!
A Pterodactylus wingspan could reach around 3 feet — roughly the size of a large seagull — but some of its relatives, like Quetzalcoatlus, had wingspans of up to 36 feet, wider than a small aeroplane. The pterosaur family ranged from sparrow-sized to absolutely staggering.
A Pterodactylus wingspan could reach around 3 feet — roughly the size of a large seagull — but some of its relatives, like Quetzalcoatlus, had wingspans of up to 36 feet, wider than a small aeroplane. The pterosaur family ranged from sparrow-sized to absolutely staggering.
41–54 — The Claws and Feet
Connect dots 41 to 54 to draw the wing-tip claws and the hind feet. Pterodactyls had claws on their wings for climbing and gripping, which children often find surprising. These sections involve smaller, tighter movements — great for building fine motor precision in older children.
Fun fact!
Pterosaurs could walk on all fours on the ground, folding their wings up neatly like an umbrella. Recent trackway evidence shows they were more comfortable on the ground than was once thought — waddling around on beaches and riverbanks in search of fish, insects, and small animals.
Pterosaurs could walk on all fours on the ground, folding their wings up neatly like an umbrella. Recent trackway evidence shows they were more comfortable on the ground than was once thought — waddling around on beaches and riverbanks in search of fish, insects, and small animals.
55–67 — The Tail and Landing Pose
Finish the puzzle by connecting dots 55 through 67 to complete the tail and capture the full flying or landing pose. Pterodactylus had a very short tail compared to some other pterosaurs. Children practise a focused, careful finish here — thirteen dots to bring the whole magnificent creature together.
Fun fact!
Pterodactyls likely soared on thermal currents of warm air, much like modern eagles and vultures, conserving energy over long distances. Their hollow bones — incredibly light but surprisingly strong — were essential for flight, and are one of the key features they share with modern birds.
Pterodactyls likely soared on thermal currents of warm air, much like modern eagles and vultures, conserving energy over long distances. Their hollow bones — incredibly light but surprisingly strong — were essential for flight, and are one of the key features they share with modern birds.
Incredible persistence — 67 dots is a genuine achievement to be proud of! Your Pterodactyl is ready to soar. Why not try drawing your own prehistoric flying scene around it? A river, some mountains, maybe a fish jumping — the Jurassic world is yours to create. Ready for another prehistoric puzzle? Explore more dinosaur dot to dot printables to keep the fun going.
Coloring Guide
Pterodactyl: Classic Real-Life Colors
A flying reptile that hunted over water is usually painted in muted browns and greys, the same plain colours that keep a seabird hard to see against the waves.
- 1–10 (The Head and Long Beak): Crayola Olive Green — Olive green on the long pointed beak and crested head keeps the face plain, though the bony crest itself was likely a bright display piece.
- 11–24 (The Wings): Crayola Forest Green — Forest green over the wide wings stands in for the thin skin membrane, stiffened with tiny fibres, that stretched from the long fourth finger to the leg.
- 25–40 (The Body and Wing Fingers): Crayola Brown — Brown on the small body and the enormous wing-finger bones matches a compact frame kept light for flight.
- 41–54 (The Claws and Feet): Crayola Olive Green — Olive green on the wing-tip claws and hind feet suits limbs used for clambering and for folding the wings away like an umbrella.
- 55–67 (The Tail and Landing Pose): Crayola Forest Green — Forest green on the short tail keeps the whole flying outline in one steady colour.
Pterodactyl: Soft Natural Colors
Soaring high on a thermal in bright sunlight, a Pterodactyl's thin wings would look pale and almost see-through against the sky.
- 1–10 (The Head and Long Beak): Crayola Gray — Pale grey shows the long beak and head crest washed out in strong overhead light.
- 11–24 (The Wings): Crayola Silver — Silver-grey on the wings is how a thin skin membrane reads with the sun behind it.
- 25–40 (The Body and Wing Fingers): Crayola Tan — Warm tan on the body suggests the lighter underside a flying animal shows to anything looking up.
- 41–54 (The Claws and Feet): Crayola Gray — Grey on the claws and feet keeps the small gripping limbs pale and plain.
- 55–67 (The Tail and Landing Pose): Crayola Silver — Silver-grey on the short tail fades it into the bright sky behind.
Pterodactyl: Bold Real-Life Colors
Because pterosaur crests were almost certainly for showing off, many artists give Pterodactyl a boldly coloured head and patterned wings.
- 1–10 (The Head and Long Beak): Crayola Raw Sienna — Raw sienna lights up the beak and the tall bony crest, which could be as large as the skull and was used to attract mates.
- 11–24 (The Wings): Crayola Mahogany — Deep mahogany across the wings turns the broad membranes into bold banners seen from below.
- 25–40 (The Body and Wing Fingers): Crayola Goldenrod — Goldenrod on the body and wing fingers flashes a bright core against the darker wings.
- 41–54 (The Claws and Feet): Crayola Raw Sienna — Raw sienna on the claws and feet warms the limbs that gripped branches and cliffs.
- 55–67 (The Tail and Landing Pose): Crayola Mahogany — Mahogany on the short tail finishes the landing pose with a strong final colour.
Why Is the Pterodactyl Dot to Dot Printable Rated Easy?
The Pterodactyl is rated easy. Of its 67 dots, 44 run in straight lines, with 11 curved, 5 zigzag and 7 sharp-turn dots. The stretches to slow down for are head and long beak at dots 5–6 and body and wing fingers at dots 32–33. Follow the numbered order even when another dot looks nearer, and check the next number before each curve.
Straight
44 dots · 66%
Easiest — join two dots with one straight pencil stroke.
Curved
11 dots · 16%
49 51
Zigzag
5 dots · 7%
Quick in-and-out changes of direction. Good counting practice.
Sharp turns
7 dots · 10%
The hardest bits — tight corners where the line doubles back.
We traced all 67 dots on this exact worksheet by hand to write this — not a generic guess.
Key Sections to Know
Every notable stretch of the path, dot by dot.
| Dot Range | Pattern | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 5 6 | Curved | The outline swings around head and long beak here; take dots 5 to 6 in short strokes. |
| 10 11 | Curved | A gentle curve shapes head and long beak across dots 10–11. Spot dot 11 before you commit to the line. |
| 32 33 | Curved | Follow body and wing fingers as it curls from dot 32 to dot 33, easing the line rather than snapping it. |
| 49 51 | Curved | Around claws and feet, the line eases through a smooth bend at dots 49–51; keep the pencil moving slowly. |
Bottom line: The Pterodactyl dot to dot is easy rated — 82% smooth lines with no tricky spots to watch for.
