Drawing Day – 10 Ways For Kids To Participate

Did you know that tomorrow is Drawing Day?  I could put this post up tomorrow, but then you wouldn’t have time to think about which drawing idea you’d like to try with your kids – and participate!  As the daughter of an artist, I grew up with lovely materials to draw with and art was valued.  Here are 10 different materials you could try with your kids tomorrow to participate in Drawing Day:

1.  Draw with charcoal – I remember doing this one with Mum.  It was messy (not that it bothered us), but exciting to draw with something so different.

2.  Draw with chalk - head outside and draw all over the footpath!  It will wash away with the next rain.

3.  Draw with watercolour pencils – using watercolour pencils adds an extra dimension to kids’ drawings.  They love seeing the image change as they brush water over their lines.

4.  Draw in the sand – give each child a stick and let them go for it!  Sandy beaches are a huge, blank canvas just waiting for budding artists.  (Yes, I know… most of Queensland’s beaches have all but washed away at the moment.)

5.  Draw in shaving cream – this is a great one for littlies.  Buy the cheapest can of shaving cream you can find.  Squirt some onto an outdoor table, and let your toddler swirl their little fingers through it.  If you don’t have a smooth table, use a plastic tablecloth first.  

6.  Draw on the computer – there are lots of different programs you can use depending on the age of your kids.  Children love to see their work printed out. 

7.  Draw with rocks – when my sister and I were girls, Mum encouraged us to find art materials in the world around us.  We loved collecting rocks and testing out which ones could be used to draw on the concrete.  We soon learnt that “soft” rocks were good for drawing, but “hard ones” didn’t yield much colour.  

8.  Draw on your back – most toddlers like having their back tickled.  See if your child can guess simple shapes you draw on their back with your finger.  Let them have a go drawing on your back!

9.  Draw with candles – the wax will seem “invisible” on the page.  Wash watercolour paints over the page to reveal the drawing!  A great one for mixed ages of kids.

10. Draw with different grade lead pencils – try giving your kids a HB,  4B and 8B lead pencil to try.  The soft, dark leads are lovely to draw with.  Older kids might like to draw houses and buildings, or even a new floor plan for their bedroom! 

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You never know what impact these fun, early experiences will have on your child.  My little sister turned drawing into a career and is now a successful architect!  Do you have another idea to add?  Leave a comment here!