Famous Pirates Coloring Pages For Kids

Famous pirates coloring pages are one of the easiest ways I’ve found to mix a bit of history with something creative and low-prep.

Each printable includes a full-page illustration to color, plus simple facts like the pirate’s name, birthplace, nickname, and a fun detail from their life.

My son especially liked learning about Blackbeard’s wild tactics and Zheng Yi Sao’s powerful fleet. It turned into a great jumping-off point for deeper questions.

If you’re looking for an educational activity that doesn’t feel like schoolwork, these coloring sheets are a solid fit.

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Coloring Pages of Pirates

Each famous pirate coloring page focuses on one well-known pirate, combining a bold line-art illustration with simple biographical facts.

Kids can color while learning the pirate’s name, birthplace, aliases, dates, and a standout detail from their life, like why Blackbeard put fuses in his beard or how Anne Bonny disguised herself at sea.

It’s a low-prep way to make historical figures more memorable, especially for visual learners.

Hayreddin Barbarossa

Hayreddin Barbarossa (1478-1546), better known as Redbeard, was a Muslim pirate from Lesbos, Greece. His bravery and leadership eventually made him the chief admiral of the Ottoman Navy.

Francis Drake

Francis Drake (1540-1596), born in Devon, England, was a sea captain and pirate instrumental in defeating the Spanish Armada. His voyages and adventures made him one of the first Englishmen to circumnavigate the globe.

Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan (1635-1688) from Wales was known for his daring raids on Spanish settlements in the Caribbean. His successful attacks earned him the support of the English crown.

Captain Kidd

William Kidd (1645-1701), a Scottish sailor turned pirate, became infamous after being punished for piracy. His controversial story highlights issues of justice and fairness.

Thomas Tew

Thomas Tew (1649-1695), known as the Rhode Island Pirate, was one of the few pirates to successfully attack the Mughal Empire. His success inspired many others to follow in his footsteps.

Henry Every

Henry Every (1659-1696), born in England, became notorious for his attack on a treasure-laden Mughal convoy. This daring act made him one of the richest pirates in history.

Bartholomew Roberts

Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722), also known as Black Bart, was born in Wales, Great Britain. Renowned for his strict code of conduct, which prohibited drinking and gambling, he captured over 400 ships during his career. His disciplined approach offers a contrast to the typical lawless pirate image.

Calico Jack

John Rackham (1682-1720), known as Calico Jack, was famous for his flamboyant dress and relationship with fellow pirate Anne Bonny. His colorful character adds a unique flair to pirate history.

Mary Read

Mary Read (1685-1721) disguised herself as a man to sail alongside Anne Bonny. Her story is one of courage and breaking societal norms.

Pair these coloring sheets with some of our favorite pirate history books for kids to add even more context and fun.

Black Caesar

Black Caesar (Unknown-1718) was a legendary pirate from West Africa who operated off the coast of Florida. A former slave who escaped captivity, his story is one of resilience and rebellion against oppression.

Blackbeard

Edward Thatch (Unknown-1718), famously known as Blackbeard, was one of the most feared pirates. Known for his intimidating appearance, including lighting fuses in his beard, his tactics were as fearsome as his reputation.

Charles Vane

Captain Vane (1680-1721), born in England, was known for his violent temper and unpredictable behavior. Despite his eventual capture and execution, his story reflects the unpredictable and dangerous life of a pirate.

Stede Bonnet

Stede Bonnet (1688-1718) was a wealthy plantation owner who turned to piracy. Despite his lack of experience, he became a successful pirate, known as the Gentleman Pirate.

Anne Bonny

Anne Bonny (1697-1782) was born in County Cork, Ireland. Known for dressing as a man and fighting alongside male pirates, she was a fierce fighter skilled with a sword and pistol. Also known as Anne Cormac, her story inspires young learners to understand gender roles and bravery in historical contexts.

Zheng Yi Sao

Zheng Yi Sao (1775-1844), sometimes known as Ching Shih, was a Chinese pirate queen commanding a vast fleet in the South China Sea. Her ruthless tactics and leadership made her one of the most successful pirates in history.

Pirate Research WorksheetsPirate alphabet worksheetsFamous pirate coloring pages

 

Ideas for Using These in the Classroom

Classroom Discussions: Use the pirate pages to spark conversations about the Golden Age of Piracy, global trade routes, or how piracy impacted different parts of the world. It’s a good way to introduce big topics in a way that feels accessible.

Creative Writing Prompts: Have students choose a pirate and write a short story or journal entry from their point of view. They can pull details from the coloring sheets to make their writing feel more grounded in history.

Geography Tie-In: Print a world map and mark the birthplaces of each pirate. Students can trace where they were born, where they sailed, and where they were active. It makes for a simple mapping activity without needing extra prep.

Character Study: Compare the pirates’ leadership styles and decisions. Some followed strict codes (like Bartholomew Roberts), others were more chaotic (like Charles Vane). These contrasts can lead to good discussions around leadership and consequences.

More Pirate Activities

Extend the fun and learning with these easy-to-use printables:

• Famous Pirate Research Study – Let students choose one pirate from the coloring pages to research more deeply. A simple way to build biography and research skills.
• Pirate Captain’s Log Worksheet – Kids can imagine they’re at sea, recording daily events, weather, and encounters in a creative journal format.
• If I Were a Pirate Writing Prompt – A great fit for reluctant writers. This printable helps kids step into a pirate’s boots and tell their own swashbuckling story.
• Pirate Mad Libs – Lighthearted grammar practice that gets kids laughing while reinforcing parts of speech through silly pirate adventures.

Last Updated on 30 June 2025 by Clare Brown