Drawing Challenges for Gifted and Curious Kids
Gifted kids need drawing challenges that match their minds. Try detailed grid drawings, design projects and creative challenges for curious kids.
Gifted and highly curious kids often need drawing challenges that stretch them. Detailed grid drawings, design projects, world-building and open-ended creative challenges match their need for complexity, while still offering the relaxation and joy of drawing.
Gifted children may race through easy activities and get bored. They often want depth, complexity and the chance to explore their own ideas.
Signs your child needs a bigger challenge
- Finishes drawing books quickly
- Adds extra details to every lesson
- Gets frustrated with "baby" activities
- Wants to know how things work
- Invents complex worlds and stories
Detailed grid challenges
Draw by Grid: Alien Cyborgs is a detailed grid challenge for ages 9 to 12, with gadgets and armor to copy square by square. It offers the complexity gifted kids crave, and the finished drawings are impressive.
Challenge ideas
- World-building. Design an entire planet with maps, species and rules.
- Invention blueprints. Detailed, labeled designs.
- Perspective drawing. Learn one- and two-point perspective.
- Character sheets. Draw characters from multiple angles.
- Comic books. Multi-page stories.
- Artist studies. Study and imitate famous artists' styles.
Avoid pressure
Gifted kids can be perfectionists. Make sure drawing remains a place for joy, not just achievement. See perfectionist kid?.
Connect with others
Drawing clubs, classes and online communities (with supervision) can connect gifted kids with peers who share their interests. For more, see twice-exceptional kids and drawing.
Questions parents ask
How do I challenge my gifted child in art?
Offer detailed grid drawings, perspective lessons, world-building, invention blueprints and multi-page comics.
Do gifted kids like drawing?
Many do, especially when it involves complexity, detail and their own ideas.
What drawing book is best for advanced kids?
Detailed grid drawing books and open-ended challenges suit advanced or older children.
More in every kind of learner, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.
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