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So, it’s the summer holidays but the weather is not good enough for outdoor fun. Well, don’t dispair because there are numerous engaging activities that your little one can enjoy at home. So, if you are wondering what to do on a rainy day, read on as today I am going to share with you the best drawing activities for kids.
The Best Drawing Activities For Kids
Drawing is one of the best indoor activities for your kids because it offers numerous benefits for their overall development. From the one hand, your little ones can express their creativity. They can also explore their imagination while having the freedom to make their own choices. On the other hand, drawing activities involve using small muscles in the hands and fingers. This, as a result helps develop their fine motor skills. And last but not least, completing an art project is a great achievement. Seeing their creations come to life will certainly boost children’s confidence and self-esteem. As a result, your kids gain a sense of accomplishment, feel proud, and develop a positive attitude toward their abilities.
Drawing is one of the best and most popular arts and crafts activities for kids because it is both enjoyable and educational. Here’s what you can offer your little one:
Free Drawing
All kids love drawing and expressing their feelings and emotions through colors and shapes. Provide your little one with a blank sheet of paper. They will also need various drawing materials, such as crayons, markers, colored pencils, or pastels.
Encourage them to draw whatever comes to their mind. It can be anything they like, such as their favorite animals, people, objects, or imaginary creatures. Let them explore different colors, shapes as well as lines to express their creativity.
If your little one is into technology, then a drawing tablet is a great way to express their imagination.
Directed Drawing
If your little one is still not quite confident in their artistic abilities, then you can start with directed drawing. Choose a simple subject, such as a flower, animal, or object, and guide the children step-by-step in drawing it. A good idea would be to break down the subject into basic shapes and lines. Then, provide clear instructions for each step. Demonstrate each step on a whiteboard or large paper as your child follows along. You can download this free worksheet from here or by clicking on the image below.
This activity will certainly help your child develop their observational skills, hand-eye coordination, and following instructions.
Another good idea is to offer dotted-line pictures for your little one to follow. This technique will boost their self-confidence. It basically allows children to practice their drawing skills while having fun connecting the dots. You can download some free dotted-line pictures from here or by clicking on the image below.
Storybook Illustration
Another idea for a drawing activity is storybook illustration. Here’s what you need to do. Firstly, read a storybook aloud to your little one. Then ask them to illustrate their favorite scene or character from the story. Before they begin, ask them to think about the colors, details as well as the emotions they want to show in their illustrations.
This activity is really helpful because it connects reading comprehension with visual representation. As a result, your kid will have the chance to bring stories to life through their artwork. You can read their favorite book or choose one of the best books for kids.
Nature Drawing
When looking for the best drawing activities for kids, make sure nature drawing is on your list. What a better way to spend the day than admire the nature? So, why don’t you take your child on an outdoor nature walk? Then you can ask them to observe and draw things they find interesting, such as flowers, leaves, or insects.
You will need to provide a clipboard, pencils, and a sketchbook for them to record their observations.
This can be both a wonderful and memorable activity. It will certainly encourage your children to appreciate and explore the natural world while developing their observational and drawing skills.
Collaborative Drawing
If you have more than one kid, then you can try collaborative drawing. Alternatively, you can invite some of your kid’s friends for this fun team-work activity. What you need to do is set up a large sheet of paper either on the wall or on the table. Then the children will take turns to contribute to a collaborative drawing.
You can start by drawing a simple shape or line. Then each child can add their own elements, patterns, or colors to create a collective artwork.
This activity promotes teamwork, cooperation, and sparks creativity through shared artistry.
Still Life Drawing
Still life drawing is another technique that is worth trying while developing your kid’s artistic abilities. Arrange a collection of objects, such as fruits, toys, or household items, on a table. Then, ask your little artist to observe the objects and create a drawing that represents them as realistically as possible. Before they start, pay attention to details, proportions, and shading to capture the objects’ characteristics accurately.
And last, but not least, remember to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment where your child. They need freely express themselves through drawing. Encourage them to try and explore different techniques, experiment with colors and lines, and celebrate their unique creations.