Drawing is a fantastic way for kids to unleash their creativity, develop fine motor skills, and express their emotions in a fun and artistic way. Whether your child is just beginning to explore the world of art or is already a little Picasso in the making, there are plenty of easy and exciting drawing activities to try. The best part? Drawing doesn’t require expensive materials—just some basic supplies and a bit of imagination. If you’re looking for engaging and enjoyable drawing ideas that your child can start today, you’re in the right place! Below, we’ve gathered 19 fun drawing activities that are not only simple but will keep your little one entertained for hours. Plus, we’ve recommended a few must-have art supplies that can enhance their experience and make drawing even more enjoyable.
1. Easy Shape Animals – Perfect for Beginners
SOURCE @24hourcrafts
A great way to introduce kids to drawing is by starting with simple shapes. Many animals can be broken down into basic circles, ovals, squares, and triangles, making it easy for kids to learn how to sketch them step by step. Start by drawing a large oval for a body, add circles for the head and eyes, and then create ears, legs, or tails using simple lines. This method helps children understand proportions while building confidence in their drawing skills. To make the experience even more fun, consider using a shape stencil set, which allows kids to trace different shapes before transforming them into adorable animals. A good set of colored pencils or crayons can also help bring their creations to life with vibrant colors.
2. Cartoon Self-Portrait – Fun with Expressions
source @today.in.kindergarten
Kids love cartoons, so why not encourage them to create their own cartoon-style self-portrait? This activity is a great way for children to learn about facial features, expressions, and proportions while having fun with exaggerated details. They can start by drawing an oval for the face, then experiment with different eye shapes, nose styles, and funny mouth expressions. Encourage them to add unique details like their favorite hat, glasses, or even superhero capes! Using a set of drawing markers can enhance the bold outlines, making their artwork stand out. A great addition to this activity is a beginner-friendly cartoon drawing guide, which can help them understand how to simplify features in a cartoon style.
3. Rainbow Scribble Art – A Colorful Surprise
source @scribble_creativity
This super fun and creative drawing activity involves scribbling in layers to reveal a rainbow effect. Kids first color an entire sheet of paper with bright crayons, covering every inch with different colors. Once done, they paint over the entire sheet with black acrylic or tempera paint and let it dry. The magic happens when they scratch off the black layer using a toothpick or wooden stylus, revealing the vibrant colors underneath. This activity is not only mesmerizing but also helps children explore color contrast and different artistic techniques. For best results, use a high-quality wax crayon set and thick paper to prevent tearing.
4. Handprint Drawings – Personalized Art
source @simplycraftykids
Handprint drawings are a fun way to combine drawing with a bit of hands-on creativity. Have your child trace their hand on a piece of paper, then turn it into an animal, tree, or even a superhero character! A traced handprint can become a peacock, a fish, or even a fire-breathing dragon with just a few added details. This activity helps develop fine motor skills while allowing kids to get creative with their own unique designs. Using washable paints and a sturdy sketchbook ensures their artwork is mess-free and long-lasting.
5. Magic Symmetry Drawing – Learning Balance
source @littlefootprintspreschool
Symmetry drawing is a fantastic way to teach kids about balance and proportion in art. Fold a piece of paper in half and have your child draw half of an image, such as a butterfly, a heart, or a leaf. Once they unfold the paper, they can complete the other side, trying to make it as symmetrical as possible. Another fun version of this activity is using paint—apply paint on one side of the fold, press the paper together, and reveal a beautiful, symmetrical print when it’s opened. This activity can be made even more exciting with watercolor paper and a set of vibrant watercolors.
6. Storybook Scene – Draw a Favorite Tale
source @museumofmakebelieve
If your child loves storybooks, why not encourage them to illustrate their favorite scene from a book they enjoy? This helps develop storytelling skills and allows them to use their imagination to bring characters and settings to life. Whether it’s a fairy tale castle, a magical forest, or an action-packed superhero scene, kids can add as many details as they like. Using a set of colored pencils, fine-tip pens, and drawing paper will give them the freedom to create a fully detailed masterpiece.
7. Stencil Art – Drawing with Guidance
source @artworks_of_sidhu
For kids who need a little help with drawing, using stencils is a great way to boost confidence. Stencils can help children draw shapes, letters, animals, and even complex designs without frustration. Encourage them to trace the outlines and then color them in, adding unique patterns and textures. A stencil set with different themes—such as outer space, dinosaurs, or flowers—can provide endless creative possibilities. Pairing this activity with a pack of vibrant gel pens or fine-tip markers will make their artwork pop.
8. Nature-Inspired Sketching – Outdoor Fun
source @bendforestschool
Take drawing outdoors by encouraging kids to sketch what they see in nature. Whether it’s a tree, a flower, or even a butterfly, observing and sketching real-life objects helps improve attention to detail and artistic skills. You can give them a sketchbook dedicated to nature drawings and let them explore the textures and colors of leaves, rocks, and plants. A set of graphite pencils or watercolor pencils can add extra depth and dimension to their outdoor sketches.
9. Comic Strip Creations – Tell a Story
source @cvmkarur
If your child loves storytelling, comic strip drawing is the perfect activity for them. They can create their own characters, set up fun dialogues, and illustrate different scenes to make their own mini comic book. Start by dividing a page into panels and let them draw step-by-step action scenes. Using black ink pens for outlining and colored markers for adding vibrancy can make their comic strip look professional. A blank comic book template can make this activity even more structured and enjoyable.
10. Shadow Art – Playing with Light
source @playville
Shadow drawing is an exciting way to experiment with light and shapes. Place an object in front of a light source and have your child trace its shadow onto paper. This works great with toy animals, action figures, or even their own hand in different positions. The traced outlines can then be turned into creative drawings, adding unique details and backgrounds. A high-quality sketch pad and a reliable flashlight can enhance this activity.
11. Optical Illusion Art – A Fun Mind Trick
source @tcp_workshops
Optical illusion drawings are a fantastic way to introduce kids to creative problem-solving while making cool 3D effects on paper. These drawings use clever techniques to make objects appear as if they’re popping off the page. One simple way to start is with a 3D hand drawing—kids trace their hand on paper, then draw curved lines across it to create a raised effect. Another easy idea is drawing cubes or tunnels that seem to disappear into the page. These illusions help children develop an understanding of depth and shading. To enhance the experience, a sketchbook with grid paper can help them keep lines aligned, while a fine-tip black marker can make the outlines bold and striking.
12. Monster Mashups – Create Silly Creatures
source @iheartartstudio
This activity is all about letting imaginations run wild! Kids can mix and match different animal features to create their own silly monster. Start by having them draw a basic body shape, then encourage them to add unexpected details—like dragon wings, octopus tentacles, bunny ears, or robot arms. The crazier, the better! To make the activity even more interactive, turn it into a game where one person draws the head, another draws the body, and a third adds the legs without seeing the previous parts. Using colored markers and fun gel pens can make their monsters even more vibrant and unique.
13. Space Adventure Drawings – Blast Off into Creativity
source @teamspellbinders
Kids fascinated by space will love drawing their own intergalactic adventure. They can sketch rockets, planets, astronauts, and aliens to create a cosmic masterpiece. A fun idea is to start with a large circle for a planet and then fill the background with stars, meteor showers, and even flying saucers. Adding colorful galaxies using watercolor paints or blending crayons makes the scene look magical. A glow-in-the-dark gel pen set can take this project to another level by creating stars that shine in the dark. For extra inspiration, a kids’ space-themed drawing book can provide step-by-step guidance on how to draw different space elements.
14. Underwater World Drawings – Dive into Creativity
source @mmikelapagading
An underwater-themed drawing allows kids to explore the beauty of ocean life while having fun sketching fish, sea turtles, mermaids, and coral reefs. Start by drawing gentle wavy lines to represent water, then let kids fill the scene with various sea creatures. They can get creative by designing their own unique fish species with exaggerated fins and patterns. Using watercolor pencils can add a soft, dreamy touch to their underwater world. A fish and sea creature drawing guide can also help them explore different artistic techniques.
15. Abstract Art – Let the Imagination Run Free
source @_moisarts_
Abstract drawing is perfect for kids who want to express themselves freely without following specific rules. They can start by making random lines, swirls, or geometric shapes on a page and then fill them in with bright colors and patterns. Another fun technique is the “scribble challenge,” where they close their eyes, make a quick scribble, and then turn it into a creative picture. Using oil pastels or blending markers can make their artwork more visually striking. A doodling book for kids can provide additional fun ideas to explore abstract art.
16. Favorite Cartoon Character Sketches – Bringing Animation to Life
source @artworkbybarryl
Kids love cartoons, and drawing their favorite characters is an exciting way to develop their artistic skills. Whether it’s superheroes, princesses, or classic animated figures, sketching these characters teaches kids about proportions, facial expressions, and different styles of illustration. Start by showing them how to break down the character into basic shapes, then gradually add details. A beginner-friendly cartoon drawing guide can provide step-by-step tutorials for popular characters. Fine-tip pens and a set of vibrant colored markers will help make their cartoon drawings look dynamic and professional.
17. Silhouette Drawings – Simple and Stunning
source @wickedrose.education
Silhouette art is a fun and easy way to create dramatic drawings with a striking visual effect. Kids can start by drawing the outline of a person, tree, animal, or city skyline, then fill it in with solid black while creating a colorful sunset or galaxy background. This activity introduces kids to the concept of contrast in art. One great way to do this is by using black construction paper for the silhouette and blending soft pastels for the background. A sunset-themed watercolor set can add an extra touch of beauty to these drawings.
18. Mandala Coloring and Drawing – A Relaxing Art Form
source @creativesoulfulartist
Mandalas are intricate circular patterns that are not only beautiful but also help improve focus and relaxation. Kids can start with a simple circle and then add repeating patterns like flowers, stars, or geometric shapes. This activity is great for mindfulness and can be incredibly soothing. To make it easier, using a mandala stencil set can help them create symmetrical designs. Colored fine-tip markers or gel pens can add stunning detail to their artwork. A kids’ mandala coloring book can also provide inspiration for more designs.
19. Framed Masterpiece – Turn Drawings into Art
source @creativejackin
Why not turn your child’s best drawing into a framed masterpiece? Encourage them to create a special artwork, whether it’s a portrait, landscape, or abstract design, then frame it and display it in their room or give it as a gift. This not only boosts their confidence but also makes them feel like a real artist. Let them use a high-quality drawing pad, and consider gifting them an artist frame set to showcase their work in style. This activity teaches kids the value of their artistic efforts and makes their creativity a cherished keepsake.
