Funny Drawings: Why Silly Art Is Good for Kids
Silly drawings aren't a waste of time. Funny art builds creativity, confidence and social connection. Learn why kids love gross, goofy characters.
Funny drawings are good for kids because humor makes them want to draw, lowers the fear of mistakes and helps them connect with others. Silly and even gross characters invite kids to experiment boldly, since in a goofy drawing there is no wrong answer.
Parents sometimes wish their kids would draw "nicer" things than burping monsters or boogers with legs. But humor is a powerful creative engine. Kids who laugh while drawing keep drawing.
Why kids love silly art
- It is fun. Laughter is its own reward.
- It is social. Funny drawings get shared and laughed at together.
- It breaks rules. Kids love to push limits safely.
- It is forgiving. A wobbly line looks funnier, not worse.
Humor builds real skills
Making something funny takes thought. Kids have to understand what is normal to make something absurd. They play with exaggeration, timing and surprise, which are sophisticated creative tools.
Wonderfully weird characters
The Crusty Goobers are a great example of humor that hooks kids. How to Draw: Crusty Goobers 2 is full of wonderfully weird, gross-out characters for kids who finished the first book and want more. They make kids laugh, and that laughter keeps them drawing. Meet the whole cast at CrustyGoobers.com.
Funny drawing games
- Exaggeration. Draw a person with a giant nose or tiny legs.
- Wrong job. Draw a fish as a firefighter.
- Gross-out contest. Who can draw the most disgusting (but silly) monster?
- Mash-ups. Combine two things that do not belong together.
- Caption it. Write a funny caption for a drawing.
Humor helps reluctant drawers
Kids who say they hate drawing often change their minds when the drawing is funny. Read more in reluctant drawer? start with something silly.
Questions parents ask
Why do kids love drawing gross or silly things?
Silly and gross subjects are funny, a little rebellious and forgiving of mistakes, which makes drawing feel safe and fun.
Is silly art good for kids?
Yes. Humor motivates children to draw, encourages bold experimenting and builds creative thinking.
What are funny drawing ideas for kids?
Try exaggerated faces, animals in wrong jobs, mash-up creatures and silly monsters with gross habits.
More in creativity and imagination, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.
Keep reading
- World-Building for Kids: Draw Your Own PlanetWorld-building lets kids design a whole planet: creatures, maps, rules and stories. Here's how to start a drawing-based world-building project at home.
- Mash-Up Creatures: A Creative Drawing GameMash-up creatures combine two or more animals into something new. Try this creative drawing game that builds imagination and science thinking.
- One Shape, Ten Ideas: Divergent Thinking for KidsDivergent thinking means finding many answers to one question. Turning one shape into many drawings is the perfect workout. Try it with your kids.
- Siblings Drawing Together Without FightingSiblings fighting over crayons? Here's how to make drawing together peaceful and fun, with games, separate spaces and shared projects that work.
