Directed Drawing Tutorials for Kids: Fun & Simple Step-by-Step Guides for Every Season

Directed drawing tutorials for kids is a fantastic art activity where they are guided through a series of simple steps to create a complete picture. The beauty of it is that every child, regardless of their artistic skill, can feel successful. It’s not about making a perfect picture; it’s about the creative journey and the joy of seeing your drawing come to life.

Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to help your kindergartener build confidence, practice following instructions, and improve their fine motor skills? You’ve come to the right place!

As a teacher or a parent, you’ll love how these activities require minimal supplies and zero artistic talent from you. Just a piece of paper, a pencil or crayon, and a little bit of guidance is all it takes!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through our favorite directed drawing tutorials for kids for every season. We’ve specifically chosen subjects that are highly searched by parents and teachers in the USA, making them perfect for your classroom or home art station.

Why is Directed Drawing Tutorials for Kids so beneficial?

Before we start, let’s quickly talk about why this activity is so much more than just drawing. Directed Drawing Tutorials for Kids provides a wealth of educational benefits for 4 to 6-year-olds:

• Boosts Fine Motor Skills: Holding a pencil and making precise lines helps strengthen the small muscles in their hands, which is crucial for handwriting development.
• Teaches How to Follow Directions: Listening to and executing multi-step instructions is a key skill for school readiness.
• Builds Confidence: The feeling of accomplishment from creating a recognizable picture is a huge confidence booster, encouraging kids to keep trying new things.
• Develops Visual-Spatial Skills: It helps children understand how shapes and lines work together to form objects.
• Encourages Patience and Focus: This activity requires kids to slow down and pay attention to each step, improving their concentration.

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Directed Drawing for Fall: Pumpkins & Scarecrows

Fall is a season of color and magic! These tutorials are perfect for an autumn-themed lesson or just a cozy afternoon at home.

How to Draw a Pumpkin in 5 Easy Steps

1. Start with a Circle: Begin by drawing a large oval shape for the pumpkin’s body. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—pumpkins come in all shapes!
2. Add the Vertical Lines: Draw a long, curved line down the center of the oval. Then, draw a few more curved lines on either side to create the pumpkin’s segments.
3. Draw the Stem: At the top of the pumpkin, add a small rectangle with a squiggly line at the top for the stem.
4. Add a Vine: Draw a little spiral coming from the stem for the pumpkin’s vine.
5. Finish with a Face: You can make a classic jack-o’-lantern face with triangles for eyes and a nose, or a wide smile!

How to Draw a Scarecrow in 6 Simple Steps

1. Draw a Head Shape: Start with a circle for the head and a smaller circle inside for the nose. Add two circles for eyes and a curved line for the mouth.
2. Add the Hat: Draw a trapezoid shape on top of the head for the brim of the hat and a taller rectangle on top for the hat’s body.
3. Create the Body: Below the head, draw a large rectangle for the body of the scarecrow.
4. Draw Arms and Legs: Add two vertical lines on each side of the body for the arms and two more at the bottom for the legs. Don’t forget to add a few short, straight lines coming out from the hands and feet to look like straw!
5. Give It a Shirt: Draw a few patches on the shirt and pants to show that it’s made of old fabric.
6. Add More Details: Draw lines on the hat to make it look like straw, and a few more patches on the knees.

Directed Drawing for Winter: Snowmen & Reindeer

Embrace the chill with these adorable winter-themed art projects. These are fantastic for a holiday classroom party or a snowy day indoors.

How to Draw a Snowman in 3 Simple Circles

1. Draw Three Circles: Draw one large circle at the bottom, a medium-sized circle on top of it, and a small circle on top of the medium one. Make sure they’re stacked like a snowman!
2. Add Features: Give your snowman a carrot nose (a triangle), two circles for eyes, and a line of dots for the mouth.
3. Finish the Details: Add a top hat on its head and a scarf around its neck. Draw two small sticks for arms and a few buttons down the front.

How to Draw a Reindeer in 5 Steps

1. Draw the Head: Start with a simple oval shape for the reindeer’s head.
2. Add the Ears and Antlers: On top of the head, draw two small ear shapes. Then, on either side, draw two branching lines for the antlers.
3. Draw the Body: Add a large, elongated oval for the body behind the head.
4. Create the Legs: Draw four simple stick legs coming from the body.
5. Finish the Face: Draw two small circles for eyes, and a larger circle for the nose. Give your reindeer a happy smile!

Directed Drawing for Spring: Flowers & Butterflies

As the world blossoms, so can your child’s creativity! These spring tutorials are a great way to celebrate the return of warmer weather.

How to Draw a Flower

1. Draw a Circle: Start with a small circle in the middle of the page.
2. Add the Petals: Draw a series of round or heart-shaped petals all around the circle.
3. Draw the Stem: From the bottom of the circle, draw a long, straight line for the stem.
4. Add the Leaves: Draw two leaf shapes on either side of the stem.
5. Color It In! Now comes the best part! Use your favorite colors to bring your flower to life.

Directed Drawing for Summer: Suns & Ice Cream Cones

Perfect for wrapping up the school year or kicking off summer vacation, these sunny tutorials are sure to bring a smile.

How to Draw an Ice Cream Cone

1. Draw a Triangle: Start with a simple triangle for the cone. Add a few crisscross lines to make it look like a real cone.
2. Add the Scoop: On top of the triangle, draw a wavy, bumpy circle for the scoop of ice cream.
3. Draw the Cherry: Add a small circle on top of the scoop and a tiny line coming out of it for the stem.
4. Finish with a Drip: Draw a wavy line coming down from the scoop for a little drip.

The Best Way to Use These Directed Drawing Tutorials for Kids

Whether you’re a parent at home or a teacher in the classroom, here are a few tips for making this activity a success:

• Provide Clear, Simple Instructions: Use easy-to-understand language.
• Model Each Step: Draw along with your child or class on a whiteboard or a separate piece of paper.
• Encourage Uniqueness: Remind them that it’s their drawing. Encourage them to add their own details and unique flair.
• Don’t Expect Perfection: The goal is the process, not the final product. Celebrate their effort!

Finding More Ideas for Directed Drawing Tutorials for Kids

While we’ve covered some seasonal favorites, the possibilities for directed drawing tutorials for kids are endless! You can find tutorials for any topic—from animals and plants to vehicles and fantasy creatures. Think about the educational goals you have, such as teaching about habitats or transportation, and then search for a specific directed drawing activity to match. It’s a fun and creative way to reinforce learning across all subjects.