18 Drawing and Colouring Ideas for Kids

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Quick answer: 18 Drawing and Colouring Ideas for Kids. This guide gives 18 ideas in 4 sections: Drawing games; Step by step drawing; Calm colouring; Display and share. Budget: Under £10. Best for: Ages 3 to 12.

Written by the PinkDux Team. Last updated October 2026.

• Time: 10 to 45 minutes
• Budget: Under £10
• Best for: Ages 3 to 12

A child sits down with a pencil, stares at a blank page and says “I do not know what to draw.” Every parent has heard it. The fix is usually a tiny prompt, not a lesson.

These eighteen ideas give you the prompt. They range from silly games to calm colouring projects, and they work with the humblest supplies: paper, pencils and a flat surface.

Top tip: Praise effort and detail, not just results. Saying “I love how you made the tail curl” encourages a child to keep drawing, whereas “that is beautiful” can make them anxious about whether it was good enough.

Drawing games

These games take the pressure off and bring out the giggles.

• Squiggle game: One person draws a squiggle and the other turns it into something. Swap roles and see how many creatures you can create.
• Draw with your eyes closed: Try to draw a face or a house without looking. The wobbly results are hilarious and surprisingly charming.
• Fold and draw animals: Fold paper in three, draw a head, body and feet without peeking, then unfold the animal. Great for groups.
• Draw a story: Take turns adding one more detail to a drawing and invent the story as you go along.
• Timed drawing: Set a one minute timer and draw a cat, a rocket or a house. Do three rounds and compare.

Step by step drawing

Guided drawing helps children who feel they cannot draw.

• Shapes into animals: Start with a circle and add ears for a cat, a beak for an owl or a trunk for an elephant. Everything begins with a simple shape.
• Draw from a photo: Choose a photo of a pet or a favourite place and draw what you see. Add a frame and display it.
• Still life: Place three objects on a table and draw them. Add shadows with a soft pencil.
• Comic characters: Design a hero, a sidekick and a villain, then give each a name and a power. Add speech bubbles to a short strip.
• Dot to dot creations: Draw a simple outline in dots for a friend to join. Number the dots and add a mystery.

Calm colouring

Perfect for quiet time or the end of a long day.

• Mandala colouring: Choose patterns with repeating shapes and a limited palette. Play soft music for a restful atmosphere.
• Colour by number: Match numbers to colours to reveal a picture. Good for developing focus and following instructions.
• Zentangle doodles: Fill squares with different patterns, such as stripes, dots and swirls. No rules and no mistakes.
• Scratch art: Scratch away a black coating to reveal rainbow colours underneath. A wooden stylus is safe for children.

Display and share

Drawings deserve an audience.

• Art gallery wall: Hang a string along a wall and peg up the week’s best pictures. Rotate regularly and invite family to an opening.
• Drawing postcards: Draw on a postcard and post it to a grandparent or friend. A real post is exciting for children.
• Family portrait: Everyone draws everyone else. Compare how you each see one another and have a laugh.
• Sketchbook diary: Draw something from each day in a small book. After a month, flip through and enjoy the memories.

Helpful links and further reading

A few trusted places to find out more.

• NHS Healthier Families: Simple recipes, food swaps and active ideas for the whole family.
• National Trust: Find gardens, parks and historic places for a day out.

Frequently asked questions

How do I help a child who says they cannot draw?

Start with games and simple shapes. Draw alongside them and avoid correcting. Confidence grows with practice.

What supplies are best?

Soft pencils, felt tips, wax crayons and plenty of paper. Add watercolours and chalks when you are ready.

At what age do children start drawing?

Most begin scribbling at around one and move to recognisable pictures in the preschool years. Every child develops at their own pace.

More ideas you might like

• Painting Ideas for Kids
• Quiet Time Activities for Kids
• Paper Craft Ideas for Kids
• Screen Free Activities for Kids