Easy Drawings for Kids: 12 Step-by-Step Ideas to Try at Home

Every child wants to draw. The trick is starting simple — a subject they love, a few clear steps, and enough encouragement to keep going even when it doesn't look quite right.

These 12 easy drawing ideas are perfect for children aged 4–12. No art experience needed. Just a pencil, some paper, and a willingness to have a go.

Before you start: a few tips that make all the difference

Watch first, then draw. If your child is following a video lesson, encourage them to watch it all the way through first, then follow along on the second watch. It helps them feel less surprised by each step.

Use a pencil first. Pencil lines can be softened or adjusted. Once children feel confident with the shape, they can add colour.

Mistakes are part of it. A wobbly line or a lopsided ear doesn't ruin a drawing — it makes it theirs. Encourage your child to keep going rather than starting over.

There's no wrong way. The goal is a child who enjoyed making something, not a perfect artwork.

12 easy drawing ideas for kids

1. A rainbow

One of the most satisfying first drawings for young children. Start with a large arch, then add coloured bands underneath. Add clouds at each end. Simple, colourful and finished quickly — perfect for building confidence.

Great for: Ages 4–7

2. A cat face

Two triangles for ears, two circles for eyes, a small triangle for a nose, and whiskers. Cat faces are endlessly customisable — your child can add stripes, spots or patterns to make it their own.

Great for: Ages 4–8

3. A koala

Start with a large round head, add big fluffy ears, a wide nose and small round eyes. Koalas are forgiving shapes — nothing needs to be perfectly symmetrical to look adorable.

Great for: Ages 5–9

4. A fish

An oval body, a triangle tail, a circle eye and a curved mouth. From there, children can add scales, fins and patterns. Fish are wonderful for experimenting with colour.

Great for: Ages 4–8

5. A sunflower

Draw a circle in the centre, then add large petals all the way around. Add a stem and two leaves. Sunflowers are great for learning petal patterns and colour mixing.

Great for: Ages 5–9

6. A turtle

Start with an oval shell, add a round head peeking out, four small flippers and a tail. The shell is a great opportunity to add patterns — triangles, hexagons or diamonds.

Great for: Ages 6–10

7. A hot air balloon

A large rounded shape at the top (like an upside-down teardrop), a small basket hanging below, and lines running from basket to balloon. Children can decorate the balloon with stripes, zigzags or their own patterns.

Great for: Ages 5–9

8. An elephant

A large round body, a big head, long floppy ears and a curved trunk. Elephants feel tricky but are very achievable with step-by-step guidance. The trunk direction gives each drawing its own personality.

Great for: Ages 6–10

9. A tree in a season

Draw a trunk and main branches, then add leaves (or snow, or autumn colour) depending on the season. This is a lovely way to explore how one subject can look completely different across the year.

Great for: Ages 5–10

10. A house

Four walls, a triangular roof, a door and some windows. From there, children can add a garden, a chimney, a letterbox, a pet at the front — the possibilities are endless.

Great for: Ages 4–8

11. A dragonfly

Two long oval wings on each side, a long slim body and two round eyes. Dragonflies look impressive but are made from very simple shapes. Encourage children to add colour and pattern to the wings.

Great for: Ages 6–11

12. A portrait

Drawing a face is a wonderful challenge for older children. Start with an oval, add guidelines to position the eyes (halfway down), nose and mouth, then ears and hair. Every portrait looks different — that's the point.

Great for: Ages 8–12

Taking drawing further

These ideas are great starting points, but children often want more — a subject they're obsessed with, a technique they haven't tried, or a real challenge to grow into.

Artventure is a library of hundreds of step-by-step video art lessons for children aged 4–12. Each lesson is taught by Australian art educator Kirsty Shadiac, who guides children through drawing and painting in a calm, encouraging way — pausing when they need to and adding their own creative touches along the way.

Your child can draw this. Try a free Artventure Starter Lesson today and see how it works. No credit card needed.

Start your free Starter Lesson →

Kirsty Shadiac is an Australian artist, art educator and the creator of Artventure — an online art lesson library for children aged 4–12.