Never Too Late: Parents Learning to Draw With Kids
It's never too late to learn to draw. Parents learning alongside kids model curiosity and resilience, and have fun. Here's how to start together.
It is never too late to learn to draw, and learning alongside your kids is one of the best ways to do it. You model curiosity and resilience, share a hobby and have fun together. Step-by-step drawing books work for adults just as well as kids.
Many adults stopped drawing as children and believe they "can't draw." Drawing with your kids is a chance to rediscover it.
Why learn with your kids?
- Modeling. Kids see adults try new things.
- Connection. A shared hobby.
- Resilience. Showing that mistakes are part of learning.
- Fun. Laughing at wobbly drawings together.
Funny faces for grown-up beginners
How to Draw: Goofy Faces is a great starting point for adult beginners. Funny expressions are forgiving, and parents and kids can compare their goofy faces (and laugh at the results).
Tips for adult beginners
- Lower expectations. You are learning.
- Draw lightly. Easy to fix.
- Follow steps. Step-by-step lessons work.
- Practise regularly. Short sessions add up.
- Have fun. That is the point.
Let your kids teach you
Ask your child to show you how they draw something. Kids love being the teacher.
Join in, do not judge
When drawing together, focus on enjoyment, not comparison. For more, see dads who can't draw: draw with your kids anyway.
Questions parents ask
Can adults learn to draw?
Yes. Drawing is a skill anyone can learn with practice, and step-by-step lessons work for adults too.
Is it good for parents to draw with their kids?
Yes. It models learning and resilience, builds connection and makes drawing more fun for kids.
What should adult beginners draw?
Simple cartoon characters and funny faces are great starting points because they are forgiving and fun.
More in ages and stages, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.
Keep reading
- Drawing With Kids of Different Ages at OnceDrawing with kids of different ages? Here's how to keep toddlers, schoolkids and tweens happy at one table, with one theme and different challenges.
- Drawing Milestones Are Not a RaceDrawing milestones are guides, not deadlines. Every child develops at their own pace. Here's how to support progress without pressure or comparison.
- Beyond Stick Figures: The Next Step for Young ArtistsStuck on stick figures? Here's how to help kids move beyond them, using shapes, cartoon bodies and grid drawing to draw whole people.
- Teaching Kids to Draw Faces and ExpressionsTeach kids to draw faces and expressions with simple shapes and funny features. Step-by-step tips plus games for drawing emotions.
