Things to Draw for Kids: Easy and Fun Ideas
Introducing children to art and drawing can be an exciting and enjoyable experience for both kids and parents alike. It encourages creativity, improves fine motor skills, and fosters self-expression. With countless possibilities for drawing subjects, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to find the perfect starting points for young artists.
Fortunately, there are countless easy drawing ideas that cater specifically to kids of all ages, interests, and skill levels. By focusing on themes that range from favorite characters, to animals, and simple shapes, children can learn to create art pieces that not only boost their confidence but also provide endless entertainment. So, without further ado, let’s dive into some inspiring drawing ideas that are both fun and easy for kids.
Fundamentals of Drawing for Kids
Drawing is an important skill for children to develop basic art skills, as it helps with their creativity and self-expression. In order to effectively teach kids the fundamentals of drawing, it is crucial to start with the basic simple steps. This section covers two key sub-topics: understanding shapes, and learning basic lines and curves.
Understanding Shapes
Shapes are the building blocks of any drawing. Teaching children to recognize and draw basic shapes, such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles, is a great idea for a first step. One great way to approach this is by encouraging kids to observe and identify shapes in everyday objects. For example, a circle can be found in the face of a clock, while a triangle can be seen in a slice of pizza. Once they can identify these shapes, children can practice drawing them in their own free time.
Learning Basic Lines and Curves
Line and curve is the basic outline of any drawing. When children have mastered the concept of shapes, they can move on to learning basic lines and curves. Straight lines include horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines, while curves encompass half circles, arcs, and various types of loops.
Introducing kids to different types of lines and curves can be accomplished through fun and engaging activities, such as tracing or freehand drawing. To help them practice, consider providing the following guidelines:
- Horizontal lines: ask children to draw lines from left to right, maintaining a consistent level.
- Vertical lines: encourage them to create lines that go straight up and down, without slanting.
- Diagonal lines: have kids draw lines that slant from one corner of the paper to the other.
- Curves: let them experiment with drawing semi-circles or full circles, as well as loops and arcs of varying sizes.
By focusing on these basic elements, children will gradually build the necessary skills for more complex and creative drawings.
Animals and Creatures
Teaching kids to draw animals and creatures can be a fun and educational activity. It not only helps improve their motor skills but also enhances their creativity and imagination.
Drawing Domestic Animals
Drawing domestic animals, such as dogs, cats, and cows, is an excellent starting point for young artists. These animals are familiar to kids, and drawing them in a different color can be a fun way to learn more about them. For instance, children can practice drawing different types of dogs, from small and fluffy to large and muscular, using simple shapes like ovals and rectangles. Cool Kids Crafts provides a tutorial on how to draw a cow using mostly ovals.
Sketching Wildlife
Sketching wildlife helps kids explore the world outside their homes and encourages them to learn about different animals and their habitats. For example, children can practice drawing easy things like fish, birds, and other creatures found in nature. Art For Kids Hub offers a range of tutorials on drawing various animals, including fish tanks, beehives, and butterflies.
Another exciting option is exploring how to draw ocean animals, such as dolphins, turtles, and sharks. Learning about these animals can be informative and enjoyable. Kids can even draw a comic version of a turtle with a simple circle-based tutorial available on YouTube.
Creating Imaginary Creatures
Encouraging children to create their own imaginary creatures can be one of their favorite things to draw can unlock their creativity and help them develop storytelling and problem-solving skills. For instance, children can mix different animals’ traits or invent entirely new beings that might live in other worlds.
Some simple techniques to create imaginary creatures are:
- Mixing shapes and features of two or more animals (e.g., a cat with wings).
- Exaggerating some features of an existing animal (e.g., a rabbit with very long ears).
- Adding fantasy elements like horns, wings, or magical powers.
When kids are creating imaginary creatures, remind them to use their imagination and not to worry about making the drawings realistic. They can explore color and shading techniques to develop unique and visually appealing artwork.
Nature and Scenery
Drawing nature and scenic elements on big pages is an excellent way for children to express their creativity and learn about colors, shapes, and patterns. This section will explore techniques and tips for drawing trees and flowers, creating landscapes, and illustrating weather elements.
Drawing Trees and Flowers
Trees and flowers come in various shapes and sizes, offering endless possibilities for artistic exploration. Teaching kids to observe and draw trees requires attention to the trunk’s shape, branching patterns, and foliage. Similarly, drawing flowers entails focusing on petals, stems, and leaves. Here are some simple tips for drawing trees and flowers:
- Start with basic shapes like circles, triangles, and rectangles.
- Experiment with different types of lines for the trunk and branches.
- Include details such as bark texture and leaf patterns.
- Use color to emphasize differences between tree species and flower types.
Creating Landscapes
Landscapes can be composed of various elements, including mountains, forests, bodies of water, and buildings. Encourage kids to create their own landscapes by following these easy steps:
- Begin with a horizon line to establish the viewer’s perspective.
- Sketch the landscape’s main features, like mountains or a lake, using simple shapes.
- Gradually add details such as trees, flowers, and buildings.
- Use shading and color to create depth and dimension.
For inspiration and guidance, check out some beginner-friendly landscape tutorials from sources like Art Projects for Kids.
Illustrating Weather Elements
Weather elements, such as clouds, rain, and snow, can add a new layer of interest to drawings. Teach kids to illustrate various weather elements with these recommendations:
- For clouds, use soft, curved lines to create fluffy shapes, and experiment with different sizes and densities.
- To depict rain, draw diagonal lines of varying lengths, simulating the fall of raindrops.
- For snow, illustrate small and large circles, giving the impression of snowflakes gently falling from the sky.
By incorporating these techniques, children can create dynamic and engaging drawings of nature and scenery, sparking their creativity and developing their artistic skills.
People and Characters
Drawing Faces and Expressions
Teaching kids to draw faces and expressions can help them develop observation skills and learn how to convey emotions through art. To get started, encourage your little artists to break down a face into simple shapes like circles and ovals for the head, and lines for the nose, mouth, and eyes (Art for Kids Hub).
As they become more comfortable, show them how to experiment with different facial expressions by altering the curves of the mouth, the intensity of the eyebrows or the size and shape of the eyes. Take this opportunity to teach kids about emotions and how to recognize them in others.
Sketching Full Body Characters
Once kids have mastered drawing facial features, they can progress to sketching full body characters. Start by teaching them the human body proportions and how to use simple shapes and guidelines. They can begin with stick figures to represent the character’s limbs and body and then gradually add details such as clothing, posture, and hairstyles.
Encourage kids to use their creativity by drawing characters engaged in various activities like playing sports, dancing, or exploring. This can help them understand movement and gestures in drawings.
Creating Cartoon Characters
Cartoon characters can be a fun and engaging way for kids to practice their drawing skills (Concept Art Empire). Start by introducing popular cartoon characters that your kids are familiar with, such as Pikachu from Pokemon (How to Draw Pikachu – YouTube) or Scooby-Doo from the mystery gang (Concept Art Empire).
Explain how to draw cartoon characters by breaking them down into simple shapes, just like with drawing faces and full body characters. Emphasize the importance of using exaggerated features and expressions to create a more lively and whimsical character. As children gain more confidence, they can experiment with creating their own original cartoon characters.
Objects and Vintage Items
Drawing Everyday Objects
Encouraging children to draw everyday objects can help them appreciate their surroundings and develop their observational skills. Some simple items to start with include fruits like apples and bananas, household items such as candles or a glass of water, and personal belongings like a bookshelf or their favorite toy.
Illustrating Vehicles
Introducing kids to drawing vehicles, such as cars, bicycles, or airplanes, can expand their creative horizons and teach them about different modes of transportation. They can experiment with different shapes, colors, and perspectives to make their illustrations more engaging and fun.
Crafting Vintage Items
Encouraging children to draw vintage or historical items can spark their interest in history, culture, and craftsmanship. For example, they could try illustrating items like vintage clothing, old-school cameras or candlesticks. This exercise can not only teach them about the past but also inspire them to create unique and imaginative artwork that captures the essence of different eras.
Abstract and Patterned Art
Introducing kids to abstract and patterned art can be an engaging and fun way to nurture their creativity. This type of art encourages children to express themselves without the limitations of traditional subject matter, as it emphasizes the use of colors, shapes, and textures.
To get started with abstract art, provide your child with a variety of art supplies like crayons, paper, glue, and scissors. Opt for crayons with a larger diameter for younger children, as they are easier to handle. Encourage them to explore these materials and let their imagination run wild (source).
A simple yet effective patterned art activity involves drawing lines and circles on a piece of paper. Children can begin by drawing several straight lines across the paper, then tracing various circular objects to create overlapping patterns (source).
Another interesting way to introduce abstract art is by guiding children through the process of creating abstract faces. This can be broken down into a series of easy steps, such as drawing guidelines, the nose, mouth, chin, and eyes (source).
You can also use online resources like YouTube videos and art tutorials specifically designed for children. These materials can offer step-by-step instructions to create abstract line and pattern paintings for kids (source).
Tips and Techniques to Encourage Creativity
One effective way to nurture creativity in children is to focus on process-oriented art, and this can be achieved by providing them with varied materials for drawing, building, and crafting. Traditional materials, as well as new technologies like robotics kits and 3-D printers, can expand their creative horizons (TED).
Another technique to foster creativity is boosting their self-confidence. Encourage kids to practice drawing without judging their output. By making art fun, and avoiding negative comments like “I can’t draw,” children will feel more confident in exploring different art styles (The Artful Parent).
Offering drawing prompts can also inspire children to think outside the box. For instance, ask them to draw places they want to visit, depict animals by combining parts of different creatures, or illustrate a scene with chickens in a chicken coop (The Savvy Sparrow). This exercise not only nurtures their creativity but also improves their drawing skills.
Here are some activities to engage kids in creative drawing:
- Trace household objects on paper and color them in.
- Draw patterns and shapes by using geometric tools.
- Create visual stories by illustrating their favorite book characters.
- Design imaginary creatures, landscapes, or buildings.
- Participate in art activities with friends or family members.
Regularly exposing children to artwork from different cultures and time periods can expand their knowledge and understanding of various art forms. As a final tip, enrolling kids in age-appropriate art classes can provide them with the guidance and resources needed to develop their skills and creativity further (The Artful Parent).
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored various themes and ideas including helpful pointers that can inspire children to create beautiful pieces of art. From animals and nature to connecting their creativity with educational topics, the possibilities for engaging children in art are endless.
As demonstrated, incorporating different elements such as drawing prompts and visual clues can make the drawing process more interesting for kids. It is also important to encourage children to think critically and use their reading comprehension skills when creating their artwork.
Lastly, art and creativity can foster children’s cognitive development and improve their problem-solving abilities. By integrating drawing into their routine, kids can strengthen their motor skills, build self-confidence, and expand their imaginations. With this in mind, providing youngsters with a creative outlet will surely help them grow both cognitively and artistically.