Welcome to the ultimate guide for kids who love to draw!
With 52 fun and simple drawing ideas, your child will find endless inspiration to unleash their creativity and improve their artistic skills.
Animals
Cats
Cats are a popular choice for young artists. They are easy to draw and can be personalized with different colors and patterns.
Start with a basic oval for the body, add a smaller circle for the head, and then draw pointy ears and a curved tail. Encourage your child to add details like whiskers, paws, and a cute face.
Dogs
Dogs come in many shapes and sizes, making them a versatile subject.
Begin with a simple oval for the body and a circle for the head. Add floppy ears, a wagging tail, and four legs. Kids can experiment with different breeds by changing the shape of the ears, nose, and tail.
Fish
Drawing fish is a fun and easy way to explore different shapes and patterns. Start with an oval or teardrop shape for the body.
Add a triangle for the tail and smaller fins on the sides. Encourage your child to draw scales, gills, and bubbles to create an underwater scene.
Birds
Birds can be as simple or as detailed as your child likes. Begin with a small oval for the head and a larger oval for the body.
Add wings, a beak, and tail feathers. Birds can be perched on a branch or flying through the sky. Experiment with different types of birds, like parrots, owls, or sparrows.
Elephants
Elephants are impressive creatures that are surprisingly easy to draw. Start with a large oval for the body and a smaller circle for the head.
Add big floppy ears, a long trunk, and thick legs. Don’t forget the tusks and a small tail. Elephants can be drawn in various poses, such as standing, walking, or spraying water with their trunks.
Butterflies
Butterflies are perfect for practicing symmetry. Begin with a small oval for the body and add large, rounded wings on each side.
Encourage your child to create intricate patterns on the wings using different colors and shapes. Butterflies can be drawn fluttering around flowers or resting on a leaf.
Lions
Lions, with their majestic manes, are a fun challenge. Start with a circle for the head and an oval for the body.
Add a mane around the head, which can be as wild or as tame as your child likes. Draw strong legs and a tufted tail. Encourage your child to add details like whiskers and claws.
Frogs
Frogs are simple and cute. Begin with a round body and a smaller round head. Add big, bulging eyes and long, strong legs.
Frogs can be sitting on a lily pad or leaping through the air. Kids can add details like spots or stripes to make each frog unique.
Turtles
Turtles have distinctive shells that are fun to draw. Start with an oval for the shell and add a smaller oval for the head.
Draw the legs sticking out from underneath the shell and a small tail. Encourage your child to create patterns on the shell, such as hexagons or spirals.
Rabbits
Rabbits are adorable and easy to draw. Begin with a circle for the head and an oval for the body. Add long ears, a fluffy tail, and strong back legs.
Rabbits can be drawn munching on carrots, hopping around, or sitting quietly. Adding details like whiskers and a twitching nose can bring the drawing to life.
Nature
Trees
Drawing trees helps kids practice different shapes and textures. Start with a simple trunk by drawing two parallel lines.
Add branches that spread out from the trunk, then fill in with leaves. Leaves can be drawn as simple ovals, circles, or even jagged shapes. Encourage your child to experiment with different types of trees, such as oak, pine, or willow.
Flowers
Flowers are colorful and fun to draw. Begin with a small circle for the center and add petals around it. Petals can be long and pointed, short and rounded, or any shape your child likes.
Add a stem and some leaves to complete the flower. Kids can draw different types of flowers, like daisies, tulips, or roses, to create a beautiful garden scene.
Sun
The sun is a cheerful and simple drawing subject. Start with a large circle. Add rays around the circle by drawing straight or wavy lines extending outward.
Kids can experiment with adding a face to the sun or coloring it with bright yellows and oranges.
Clouds
Clouds are easy and fun to draw, perfect for adding to any sky scene. Start with a bumpy, fluffy shape. Clouds can be small and puffy or large and sprawling.
Encourage your child to layer multiple clouds to create depth and interest in their drawings.
Mountains
Mountains add a sense of grandeur to landscape drawings. Begin with a series of tall, jagged peaks. Add snow caps by drawing a wavy line near the top of each peak.
Draw smaller hills and valleys at the base to complete the scene. Kids can add trees, rivers, or animals to make their mountain range more dynamic.
Rivers
Rivers are a great way to practice drawing flowing lines. Start with two parallel, wavy lines that get closer together as they reach the horizon.
Add rocks, plants, and fish along the banks to create a lively river scene. Kids can experiment with different types of water bodies, such as streams, lakes, or waterfalls.
Leaves
Leaves come in various shapes and sizes, making them an interesting subject to draw. Begin with a simple outline of a leaf shape, such as an oval or a heart.
Add a stem and veins to give the leaf texture and detail. Encourage your child to draw different types of leaves, like maple, oak, or palm, to explore the diversity of nature.
Rainbows
Rainbows are colorful and easy to draw. Start with a large, curved line for the outer edge. Add several smaller curved lines inside, each representing a different color.
Kids can use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to fill in the rainbow with bright, vibrant colors. Rainbows can be drawn over a landscape or with clouds at each end.
Fruits
Drawing fruits is a fun way to explore shapes and colors. Start with basic outlines for common fruits, like a circle for an apple, an oval for a pear, or a crescent shape for a banana.
Add details like stems, leaves, and seeds. Encourage your child to draw a variety of fruits to create a colorful fruit basket.
Vegetables
Vegetables are another great subject for drawing. Begin with simple shapes for each vegetable, such as a cylinder for a carrot, a sphere for a tomato, or a bulb shape for an onion.
Add details like leaves, roots, and texture. Kids can create a whole vegetable garden, practicing different shapes and patterns.
Fantasy and Imagination
Dragons
Dragons are a fantastic subject that allows kids to let their imagination run wild. Start with an elongated oval for the body and a smaller oval for the head.
Add a long, curved neck and tail. Draw wings, which can be bat-like, and add legs with sharp claws. Encourage your child to experiment with different types of dragons, from fierce and fire-breathing to friendly and whimsical.
Unicorns
Unicorns are magical creatures that are fun and easy to draw. Begin with a basic horse shape: an oval for the body, a circle for the head, and slender legs.
Add a long, flowing mane and tail. Draw a spiral horn on the forehead and embellish with stars, hearts, or flowers. Kids can use their favorite colors to make their unicorn truly unique.
Fairies
Fairies are delightful and delicate, making them a charming drawing subject. Start with a small, slender body and add large, butterfly-like wings.
Draw a beautiful, flowing dress and add details like flowers or stars. Fairies can be drawn in various poses, such as sitting on a mushroom or flying through the air. Encourage your child to add a magical background, like an enchanted forest.
Aliens
Aliens offer endless possibilities for creativity. Begin with a basic shape for the body, such as an oval or a circle. Add antennae, multiple eyes, or unusual limbs.
Aliens can have spots, stripes, or other unique patterns. Kids can create a whole alien world with different characters, spaceships, and planets.
Monsters
Monsters are fun and can be as scary or silly as your child likes. Start with a basic shape like a circle or rectangle for the body.
Add multiple eyes, sharp teeth, and claws. Monsters can have horns, scales, or fur. Encourage your child to draw friendly monsters with goofy expressions or fearsome creatures with menacing looks.
Wizards
Wizards are magical characters that are exciting to draw. Begin with a tall, pointed hat and a flowing robe. Add a long beard, a wand, and a spellbook.
Wizards can be drawn casting spells, brewing potions, or standing in a mystical forest. Kids can add magical effects like sparkles, smoke, or glowing orbs.
Mermaids
Mermaids are enchanting and easy to draw. Start with a human upper body and add a fish-like tail. Draw long, flowing hair and add details like seashells, pearls, or starfish.
Mermaids can be drawn swimming underwater, sitting on a rock, or playing with sea creatures. Encourage your child to create an underwater world with coral reefs, seaweed, and colorful fish.
Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs are fascinating and diverse, making them a great drawing subject. Start with a basic shape for the body and add details like scales, spikes, or a long tail.
Kids can draw different types of dinosaurs, like the fierce T-Rex, the gentle Brachiosaurus, or the armored Stegosaurus. Create a prehistoric scene with volcanoes, trees, and other dinosaurs.
Robots
Robots allow for a lot of creativity and imagination. Begin with simple geometric shapes like rectangles and circles. Add joints, antennas, and buttons.
Robots can have wheels, claws, or laser beams. Encourage your child to design their own robot with unique features and abilities, and create a futuristic background with other robots and machines.
Castles
Castles are grand and intricate, perfect for imaginative drawings. Start with a large rectangle for the main structure and add towers, turrets, and battlements.
Draw a drawbridge, flags, and windows. Castles can be surrounded by a moat, a forest, or a village. Kids can add knights, dragons, or princesses to bring their castle to life.
Everyday Objects
Houses
Houses are a great way to practice drawing straight lines and shapes. Start with a simple rectangle for the main structure and add a triangle on top for the roof.
Draw windows, doors, and a chimney. Kids can add details like curtains, flowers, and a garden to make their house unique. Experiment with different styles, such as a cozy cottage, a modern home, or a grand mansion.
Cars
Cars are fun to draw and can be personalized in many ways. Begin with a long rectangle for the body and add circles for the wheels. Draw windows, headlights, and bumpers.
Kids can design their own car by adding racing stripes, spoilers, or different shapes. Create a road scene with trees, streetlights, and other vehicles.
Bicycles
Bicycles are a bit more challenging but very rewarding to draw. Start with two circles for the wheels and connect them with a straight line for the frame.
Add handlebars, a seat, and pedals. Encourage your child to add details like a basket, streamers, or a bell. Bicycles can be drawn in motion or resting against a tree or fence.
Boats
Boats are simple and fun to draw, perfect for creating a water scene. Begin with a curved line for the hull and add a mast and sails.
Draw waves beneath the boat and clouds or birds in the sky. Kids can experiment with different types of boats, like sailboats, pirate ships, or rowboats.
Airplanes
Airplanes are exciting to draw, offering a chance to explore aerodynamics. Start with a long, narrow oval for the body and add wings on each side. Draw a tail fin and engines.
Add windows and landing gear. Encourage your child to draw different types of airplanes, such as jets, propeller planes, or commercial airliners, and create a sky scene with clouds and other flying objects.
Trains
Trains are great for practicing perspective and drawing long, connected shapes. Start with a rectangle for the engine and add smaller rectangles for the cars.
Draw wheels and tracks beneath the train. Add details like windows, doors, and smoke coming from the chimney. Kids can create a whole train station scene with passengers, luggage, and surrounding landscape.
Books
Books are simple to draw and can be customized in many ways. Begin with a rectangle for the cover and add a spine. Draw the pages slightly fanned out.
Kids can add titles, illustrations, and bookmarks. Books can be drawn stacked on a shelf, open on a table, or being read by a character.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments are diverse and interesting to draw. Start with basic shapes for each instrument, such as a circle for a drum, an oval for a guitar, or a rectangle for a piano.
Add details like strings, keys, and buttons. Encourage your child to draw a whole band or orchestra, complete with musicians and stage equipment.
Toys
Toys are fun and familiar subjects for kids to draw. Start with simple shapes for common toys, like a teddy bear, a ball, or a doll.
Add details like eyes, buttons, and clothes. Kids can draw their favorite toys in action, like a toy car zooming on a track or a kite flying in the sky. Encourage them to create a playroom scene with various toys.
Food
Food is a delightful and easy subject to draw, offering a chance to explore different shapes and colors. Start with simple outlines for familiar foods, such as a slice of pizza, an ice cream cone, or a piece of cake.
Add details like toppings, sprinkles, and patterns. Kids can create a whole meal or a picnic scene with various dishes and treats.
People and Characters
Simple Faces
Drawing simple faces is a great starting point for kids to learn about proportions and expressions. Begin with a circle for the head and add guidelines to place the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Draw basic shapes for the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth to show different emotions like happiness, sadness, or surprise. Kids can experiment with different hairstyles, accessories, and facial features to create unique faces.
Full Body Figures
Full body figures help kids practice proportions and poses. Start with a simple stick figure to outline the pose. Add basic shapes for the head, torso, arms, and legs.
Draw clothes, shoes, and accessories to complete the character. Encourage your child to draw figures in various poses, such as running, jumping, or dancing, to bring their characters to life.
Superheroes
Superheroes are exciting and fun to draw. Begin with a basic figure outline and add a muscular build. Draw a mask, cape, and emblem on the chest.
Kids can invent their own superhero with unique powers and costumes. Create a dynamic scene with the superhero in action, like flying through the sky or saving the day.
Cartoon Characters
Cartoon characters are often made of simple shapes, making them easy to draw. Start with a round head and add big eyes, a small nose, and a wide mouth.
Draw a simple body with exaggerated features like large hands or feet. Kids can draw their favorite cartoon characters or invent their own, creating a comic strip or animated scene.
Friends and Family
Drawing friends and family helps kids capture their loved ones on paper. Start with basic shapes for the head and body. Add facial features and hairstyles that resemble the person.
Draw clothes and accessories that reflect their style. Encourage your child to draw family portraits, friends playing together, or special moments like birthdays and holidays.
Athletes
Athletes are fun to draw, especially in action poses. Start with a basic figure outline and add sports equipment like a basketball, soccer ball, or tennis racket.
Draw uniforms and gear specific to the sport. Kids can draw their favorite athletes or create their own, capturing the energy and movement of the game.
Dancers
Dancers allow kids to practice fluid and graceful poses. Start with a simple figure outline in a dynamic pose. Add flowing costumes, like ballet tutus or ballroom gowns.
Draw the background of a stage or dance floor. Encourage your child to draw different types of dancers, such as ballet, hip-hop, or folk dancers, showcasing their unique movements and costumes.
Pirates
Pirates are adventurous and fun to draw. Start with a basic figure outline and add pirate attire, like a tricorn hat, eyepatch, and boots.
Draw accessories like a sword, treasure map, or parrot. Create a scene with the pirate on a ship, finding buried treasure, or engaging in a sea battle.
Knights
Knights are heroic and offer a chance to draw armor and medieval themes. Start with a basic figure outline and add a helmet, breastplate, and shield.
Draw a sword and other medieval details. Knights can be drawn in battle, defending a castle, or on a quest. Encourage your child to create a whole medieval scene with castles, dragons, and other knights.
Ninjas
Ninjas are stealthy and cool, making them exciting to draw. Start with a simple figure outline and add a ninja outfit, complete with a mask and weapons like nunchucks or a katana.
Draw dynamic action poses like jumping or throwing stars. Kids can create their own ninja characters and scenes, such as sneaking through the night or engaging in a martial arts duel.
Holidays and Seasons
Halloween Pumpkins
Drawing Halloween pumpkins is a festive and fun activity. Start with a round shape for the pumpkin and add vertical lines to give it dimension.
Draw a stem on top and a spooky or silly face. Kids can experiment with different expressions and patterns, like jagged teeth or swirling eyes. Add details like leaves, vines, or a Halloween background with bats and a full moon.
Christmas Trees
Christmas trees are delightful to draw and can be decorated in many ways. Begin with a triangle shape for the tree and add layers to represent branches.
Draw a trunk at the bottom and add ornaments, lights, and a star or angel on top. Kids can create a cozy scene with presents under the tree, stockings hanging, and a snowy background.
Easter Eggs
Easter eggs are simple and colorful. Start with an oval shape and add patterns like stripes, dots, or zigzags. Kids can use bright colors and create unique designs.
Draw a basket filled with decorated eggs or an Easter bunny hiding them in a garden. Encourage your child to experiment with different patterns and colors for each egg.
Birthday Cakes
Drawing birthday cakes is a sweet and joyful activity. Start with a rectangle or oval for the cake’s base. Add layers and decorate with icing, candles, and sprinkles.
Kids can personalize the cake with their favorite colors, shapes, and a birthday message. Create a party scene with balloons, gifts, and party hats.
Snowmen
Snowmen are fun and easy to draw, especially in winter scenes. Start with three stacked circles for the body. Add a hat, scarf, and buttons.
Draw a carrot nose, coal eyes, and stick arms. Kids can create a snowy background with falling snowflakes, trees, and other snowmen playing together.
Beach Scenes
Beach scenes are perfect for summer drawings. Start with a simple shoreline and add elements like waves, sandcastles, and umbrellas.
Draw beachgoers swimming, playing beach volleyball, or sunbathing. Encourage your child to add details like seashells, palm trees, and beach balls to make the scene lively and fun.
Autumn Leaves
Autumn leaves are colorful and interesting to draw. Begin with basic leaf shapes like ovals and add details like veins and jagged edges.
Use fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown. Draw a pile of leaves, a tree shedding its leaves, or kids playing in the leaves. Encourage experimentation with different leaf shapes and colors.
Spring Blossoms
Spring blossoms are beautiful and signify new beginnings. Start with a branch and add small flowers, like cherry blossoms or magnolias.
Draw petals, leaves, and buds. Kids can create a whole tree in bloom or a garden scene with various flowers. Use bright, cheerful colors to capture the essence of spring.
Fireworks
Fireworks are exciting and colorful, perfect for drawing celebrations. Start with a small circle and draw lines radiating outward.
Add bursts of color and patterns like spirals or stars. Draw a night sky background with other fireworks, buildings, or a cheering crowd. Encourage your child to use vibrant colors to make the fireworks pop.
Presents
Drawing presents is fun and easy. Start with a simple box shape and add a ribbon and bow on top. Kids can decorate the box with patterns like stripes, polka dots, or stars.
Draw a pile of presents or a scene with someone opening a gift. Encourage creativity with different shapes, sizes, and wrapping designs.
Fun Patterns and Designs
Mandalas
Mandalas are intricate and relaxing to draw. Start with a small circle in the center and draw concentric circles around it.
Add symmetrical patterns within each ring, such as petals, lines, or geometric shapes. Encourage your child to use different colors and create their own unique designs. Mandalas can be as simple or as detailed as they like.
Zentangles
Zentangles are abstract, patterned designs that are both fun and meditative to create. Start with a square or rectangle and divide it into smaller sections using curved or straight lines.
Fill each section with different patterns, like dots, waves, or spirals. Kids can use black and white or add colors to their Zentangles. The key is to let their creativity flow without worrying about perfection.
Simple Geometric Shapes
Drawing geometric shapes helps kids understand basic forms and patterns. Start with simple shapes like circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles.
Combine these shapes to create more complex designs, like a house made of rectangles and triangles or a robot made of squares and circles. Encourage your child to experiment with different combinations and patterns.
Abstract Art
Abstract art allows for total freedom and creativity. Start with random shapes, lines, and colors. There are no rules—just let your child express themselves.
They can use different tools, like crayons, markers, or paint, and explore techniques like splattering, blending, or layering. Abstract art is a great way to explore emotions and imagination through drawing.
Graffiti
Graffiti is bold and expressive, perfect for exploring different lettering styles and designs. Start with simple block letters and add details like shadows, highlights, and patterns.
Encourage your child to create their own tag or slogan. They can also draw graffiti-style characters or scenes. Use bright, contrasting colors to make the designs stand out.
Optical Illusions
Optical illusions are fascinating and challenging to draw. Start with simple illusions like the impossible triangle or a 3D cube.
Show your child how to use lines and shading to create the illusion of depth and movement. Optical illusions can be a fun way to explore perspective and visual tricks.
Doodles
Doodles are spontaneous and fun, perfect for letting creativity flow. Start with random shapes, lines, and squiggles.
Encourage your child to fill a page with doodles, adding details and turning simple shapes into funny characters or objects. Doodling can be a relaxing way to pass the time and explore different ideas.
Comic Strips
Comic strips are a great way to combine drawing and storytelling. Start with a simple layout of panels. Create characters and develop a short story or joke.
Encourage your child to use speech bubbles, sound effects, and facial expressions to bring their comic to life. Comics can be about anything, from everyday adventures to fantastical tales.
Mazes
Drawing mazes is a fun and challenging activity. Start with a simple outline of the maze shape, like a square or circle.
Draw a path from the start to the finish, then add dead ends and alternate routes. Kids can create mazes of different sizes and complexity. Once finished, they can challenge friends or family to solve them.
Stick Figures
Stick figures are simple and versatile, perfect for quick sketches and storytelling. Start with a circle for the head and lines for the body, arms, and legs. Add details like faces, hair, and clothes.
Stick figures can be drawn in various poses and activities, like running, jumping, or playing sports. Encourage your child to create a whole scene or story using stick figures.
