Mermaid Characters
A mermaid is a character with a built-in tension — belonging to the sea and being curious about the land — which is why the archetype has lasted. Children draw the tail in great detail and rarely settle the question of which world the character prefers. That question is the character.
Making a mermaid into a character
Which world do they want
Content in the sea, or always looking up? This decides every story.
The tail is a signature
Whatever pattern and colours your child drew carry through consistently.
Give them a sea friend
An octopus, a turtle, a very opinionated crab — the second character makes the first one talk.
What have they collected
A collection of things from the surface is a story premise on its own.
Questions to ask your child about their drawing
- What is your mermaid’s name?
- Does she like the sea or the land better?
- What has she found from up above?
- Who is her best friend under the water?
- What colour is her tail?
Common questions
- Can the story be set in a real ocean?
- Yes. Describe a real reef, coast or sea when you create the story and the setting follows it.