A giant snout, two big nostrils, and teeny-tiny ears – our printable hippo mask gets everyone giggling. Color it, cut it out, and add elastic. This free hippo mask template is a real crowd-pleaser for preschool, dress-up, and any jungle party.
Why This Hippo Mask Is So Funny
The huge, wide snout is one big shape that even the youngest kids can color with ease. Two big nostrils and a happy smile give the hippo a friendly, easygoing face. Tiny round ears on top make a silly contrast with that giant snout. Every kid ends up with a mask that turns heads.
A wide snout with lots of coloring space.
Two round nostrils up front.
Little round ears on top.
Part of our Jungle Party craft set.
✂️ Craft Instructions: Turn the Template into a Mask
🧰 What You Need
- Printer + heavier paper or cardstock (65–110 lb)
- Colored pencils, markers or watercolors
- Scissors (craft knife for the eye holes – adults only)
- Elastic cord (about 12–14 inches)
- Hole punch for the elastic holes
Print the template at actual size (100 %, not “fit to page”) on thick paper.
Color the mask any way you like – the big shapes are perfect for little hands.
Cut along the thick outer line.
An adult cuts out the eye holes with a craft knife or pointed scissors.
Punch holes at the two small circles, thread the elastic through and knot it – done!
⚠️ Safety: eye holes, craft knives and hot glue are grown-up jobs. Don’t run or play rough while wearing a mask that limits your view – and never put elastic around the neck.
📦 Included in These Craft Sets
This mask also comes as part of a bundle – one free PDF with a cover page, craft instructions and every mask in the set:
Play Ideas for Little Hippos
Spread out a blue blanket as a river where hippos soak with just their eyes and noses peeking out. Hold a yawning contest to see which hippo can open its mouth the widest. At night, the hippos climb out to gather green paper grass. Then have everyone stomp along to music in slow, heavy hippo steps.
Fun Facts About Hippos
Hippos live in Africa near rivers and lakes. They spend their days in the water to stay cool and come out at night to munch on grass. Even though they spend so much time in the water, hippos can't really swim – they walk or bounce along the bottom. Their skin makes a reddish liquid that works like a natural sunscreen. Here's a surprise: their closest living relatives are whales.
Color Ideas for Your Hippo Mask
Gray, purple, or pink – take your pick:
Gray-brown skin with a pink snout.
A cheerful hippo in purple and lavender.
Soft pink like a storybook hippo.
Gray with blue water drops.
Great Times for the Hippo Mask
This happy hippo is always up for fun:
Team up with the parrot, monkey, and elephant.
Add a gray sweatshirt for a cozy costume.
A fun craft for a lesson on river animals.
A silly mask for summer water play.
Hippo Facts at a Glance
Big facts about a big animal:
They stay in the water all day.
They eat grass on land at night.
Their skin protects itself.
Whales are their closest relatives.
More Masks for Your Jungle Crew
Elephant, parrot, and monkey are ready to join – see all our animal masks.
Your Benefits at PureSketchy:
- A Real Craft Template: Face-size mask with eye holes and marks for elastic, a stick or glue tabs.
- Free to Print: Every mask and craft set as a PDF or image, no sign-up required.
- Print-Ready A4: Clean vector lines that print crisp on any home printer.
- Kid-Friendly Designs: Cheerful characters, nothing too scary, no brand logos – perfect for home, preschool and school.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What age is this mask suitable for?
The hippo mask is made for ages 2 to 4. Kids color, and an adult cuts out the mask and eye holes.
Will the mask fit a child’s face?
Yes – printed at actual size (100 %) on A4 or US Letter, the mask is roughly the size of a child’s face. For adults, scale it up to 110–115 % or print on A3/Tabloid.
What paper works best?
We recommend 160–200 gsm cardstock (65 lb) so the wide snout stays sturdy.
Is the download free?
Yes, all masks and coloring pages on PureSketchy are 100% free for personal use, preschools, and schools.
Is there a German version?
Yes! You can find the German version at Nilpferd Maske.