What do you do when your child asks, “Can you draw this?” and you have no idea where to begin?
You don’t need to be good at drawing to help your child learn. You don’t even need to know how to draw the picture yourself.
A simple example, a few basic shapes, and some time together can be enough to get started.
Here are some practical ways to help kids draw on paper, even if drawing isn’t your strength.
Start with Simple Shapes
Many pictures become easier when you stop looking at the whole thing and start noticing the smaller shapes inside it.
A cat’s head might begin with a round shape and two ears. A donut can start with a circle and a smaller circle in the middle. A flower can grow from a simple center and a few petals.
You don’t need perfect circles or straight lines. The goal is simply to give your child somewhere to begin.
Once a complicated picture starts to look like a collection of smaller parts, it can feel much more manageable.
PENKI DrawWant more step by step drawing ideas?PENKI Draw shows each picture one step at a time while kids draw on real paper with a pencil.
Break the Drawing into Small Steps
Drawing an entire bunny, dinosaur, or car at once can feel like a lot.
Instead, break the picture into a few smaller steps and focus on one part at a time.
Where you begin will depend on the picture. What matters is giving kids a clear next line to draw and letting the picture come together little by little.
That is how we create the steps in PENKI Draw too. We think about how we would naturally draw each picture and choose an order that feels simple to follow.
For young kids, the proportions do not need to match the example perfectly. A line may be longer, shorter, or in a slightly different place, and the drawing can still become their own finished picture.
If you want to try a drawing guide on paper, you can use our free drawing printables. They include simple drawing steps, tracing practice, and space for kids to try the picture themselves.
Draw Together Instead of Drawing for Them
When a child asks you to draw something, it can be tempting to take the pencil and make the whole picture for them.
Try grabbing another sheet of paper instead.
You can both draw the same thing at the same time. Your picture does not need to be better than theirs. It is completely fine if your cat looks strange or your dinosaur has uneven legs.
Drawing side by side makes the activity something you are doing together rather than something the parent needs to demonstrate perfectly.
Use a Drawing Guide When You Don’t Know What Comes Next
Sometimes your child knows exactly what they want to draw, but you don’t know how to show them.
That was one of the reasons we created PENKI Draw.
The screen guides. Their hands create.
PENKI Draw shows a picture one step at a time on screen while kids make the actual drawing on real paper with a pencil.
Parents do not need to know how to draw the picture first. Kids can look at each step, draw it on their own paper, and continue at their own pace.
It is a simple way to use a digital guide while keeping the creative activity on paper.
PENKI DrawNot sure how to draw what your child chooses?PENKI Draw breaks pictures into simple steps that kids can follow on screen while drawing on real paper. Choose an animal, food, vehicle, character, or something else they want to try.
Let Kids Make the Drawing Their Own
Following an example does not mean the finished picture needs to look the same.
Kids can change the colors, make parts bigger or smaller, add their own details, or turn the drawing into a little story.
The example is simply a starting point.
For more ideas children can choose from, see 50 Easy Things to Draw for Kids.
What If Your Child Says “I Can’t Draw”?
Sometimes a child knows what they want their picture to look like, but the marks on the paper do not match what they imagined.
If that happens, you do not need to fix the drawing for them.
Try helping them focus on one small part instead.
You could say:
- “Which part would you like to try first?”
- “Let’s look at the shapes together.”
- “Do you want to try a different picture?”
If they are no longer enjoying it, it is also fine to stop.
Drawing does not need to become something they have to finish.
Try a Simple 10 Minute Drawing Activity
All you need is paper, pencils, and one idea.
Minutes 1 to 2: Let your child choose what to draw. An animal, flower, favorite food, or anything they are interested in works.
Minutes 3 to 7: Draw together, focusing on one part at a time. Use an example or drawing guide if that makes it easier.
Minutes 8 to 10: Add your own details, colors, or a simple background.
When you are finished, ask your child about their picture.
You may end up with two completely different drawings, even when you started with the same idea.
Keep Drawing Simple and Enjoyable
Teaching kids to draw does not mean showing them how to make perfect pictures.
Give them an easy place to start, take the drawing one step at a time, and enjoy making something together.
You do not need to be good at drawing to help your child begin.
For more ideas about encouraging paper and pencil drawing at home, read How to Encourage Kids to Draw on Paper.
PENKI DrawReady to draw together?PENKI Draw gives kids step by step drawing ideas to follow while they create the picture on real paper. Or visit our free Printables collection for drawing activities you can print and use at home.
