Clown Coloring Pages: Free Printable PDFs

Clowns have a mixed reputation. Some people think they’re adorable bundles of joy with rainbow wigs and squeaky shoes. And others run a mile the moment they see a red nose.

Me? I’m somewhere in the middle.

Obviously, I don’t want one showing up in my living room, lol, but if we’re talking about clown coloring pages, then yes please! I’ll grab my markers and make that wig neon green faster than you can honk a horn.

It doesn’t matter how old you are. With their bold shapes, silly expressions, and outrageous wardrobe, clowns are FUN to color. So …

If you’re ready to bring these goofy characters to life, keep scrolling for a whole set of free printable clown coloring pages you can download and print right away.

Getting Started is Easy

Just scroll down, pick your favorite clown coloring page (or grab them all … they’re free), click the image, and the high-resolution PDF will open in a new tab. From there, you can download it to your computer and print it as many times as you like.

Note: Our coloring pages are designed in standard US Letter size (8.5 x 11″), but they’ll also print perfectly on A4 paper, so no matter where you’re printing from (the US, UK, Europe, etc.), you’re good to go.

Terms of use: these printables are for personal use only. That means you can print them for yourself, your kids, your classroom, or even a coloring night with friends. But please don’t resell, redistribute, or modify them for commercial use.

Free Printable Clown Coloring pages

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Just for Fun …

Before you start coloring, check out the fun clown facts, silly clown jokes, and interactive clown quiz below. You’ll also find links to even more free coloring pages.

Fun Clown Facts

Fact 1: In the 1500s the word ‘clown’ had a different meaning

The word ‘clown’ first popped up in the 1500s and originally meant a “country bumpkin” or someone a little clumsy. Over time, the meaning shifted to describe comic performers who made people laugh with silly behavior, and eventually to the red-nosed, big-shoed characters we know today.

Fact 2: There are three types of clowns

When you picture a clown, you might think of bright wigs and squeaky shoes, but that’s just one style. Traditionally, there are three main types of clowns: fancy and dramatic whiteface clowns, goofy and clumsy auguste clowns, and the character clown that dresses like everyday people but in a more exaggerated way.

Fact 3: Clowns are part of circus history

Clowns became a staple of the circus in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in Europe. Their job was to fill in the gaps between acts, keeping the audience entertained with pratfalls, jokes, and over-the-top antics. Even now, the circus and clowns are almost inseparable in popular culture.

Fact 4: Not all clowns are funny

While many clowns are designed to make people laugh, others can be intentionally spooky or unsettling. That’s where the idea of ‘scary clowns’ comes from in books and movies. Love them or fear them, clowns have a way of sticking in people’s memories, which is exactly why they make such fun coloring pages.

Fact 5: Clown makeup is trademarked

Professional clowns take their makeup very seriously. There’s even a tradition called the ‘Clown Egg Registry’ in the UK, where each clown’s unique face paint design is painted onto an egg to make sure no two clowns copy each other. It’s like a trademark system, but with eggs!

Fact 6: Clowns are international

Clowns aren’t just a Western circus idea. Different cultures have their own versions: in Japan, performers called kyōgen clowns have been around since the 14th century, and in Native American traditions, clown-like characters often played the role of tricksters during ceremonies. So humor and clowning really do cross borders.

Fact 7: Some clowns never speak

Not all clowns rely on silly voices or punchlines to get laughs. Mime clowns, for example, use body language, exaggerated gestures, and expressive facial features to tell stories and entertain without saying a single word. Their silent comedy has been around for centuries and proves that humor doesn’t always need sound.

Fact 8: The famous clown car trick

Are you familiar with the clown car trick? It’s where a comically small car seems to produce an endless stream of clowns. It first appeared in American circuses in the 1950s. So what’s the secret? The cars are stripped of seats, panels, and anything else that takes up space, allowing a dozen or more clowns to squeeze inside. And even today, it’s a fun surprise watching what feels like an endless number of clowns pile out.

Fact 9: Hospitals hire clowns to help heal patients

Clowns don’t just perform at the circus. Many, known as ‘caring clowns’ or ‘clown doctors,’ are hired by hospitals to visit children’s wards and cheer up young patients with jokes, games, and silly antics. The idea started in the 1980s and has spread worldwide, with research showing that laughter and play can ease stress, reduce fear, and even speed up recovery.

Fact 10: International Clown Week is a thing

Every year from August 1st to 7th, clowns get an entire week in the spotlight. What began in the United States in 1971 as ‘National Clown Week’ has since grown into an international celebration. For seven days, clowns of every style take part in parades, performances, and community events. And sometimes, they visit hospitals and care centers. Why? To remind us all that laughter, playfulness, and a little bit of silliness are good for the soul.

Silly Clown Jokes

Why did the lion not eat the clown? Because it tasted funny.

What do you get when you boil a clown? Laughing stock.