Indoor Recess Drawing Ideas for Teachers
Indoor recess again? These drawing ideas keep kids happy and calm when it's too cold or wet to go out. Easy, low-prep activities for teachers.
Drawing is a teacher's best friend on indoor recess days. Quick prompts, drawing games and step-by-step lessons keep students engaged and calm when they cannot go outside. Alphabet monsters and silly characters are fun enough that kids will not miss the playground.
Indoor recess can be chaotic. Kids have energy and nowhere to put it. Drawing offers structure and fun at the same time.
Indoor recess drawing ideas
- Drawing charades. Teams guess drawings on the board.
- Pictionary. Classic and always popular.
- Exquisite corpse. Fold, draw, unfold, laugh.
- Monster design contest. Everyone designs a monster.
- Comic challenge. Draw a four-panel comic.
A monster for every letter
How to Draw: Alphabet Monsters works well for indoor recess: each student draws the monster for the first letter of their name. It is fast, fun and gives everyone a personal character.
Set up a recess drawing bin
- Paper and pencils
- Colored pencils
- Prompt cards
- Drawing books
- Clipboards for kids who want to draw on the floor
Mix drawing with movement
Kids need to move too. Try drawing games that involve getting up: running to the board, acting out drawings, or a drawing scavenger hunt around the room.
Keep it optional
Some kids will want to build or read. Drawing is one choice among several. For more, see early finisher drawing activities.
Questions parents ask
What can kids do during indoor recess?
Drawing games, Pictionary, comics, building, reading and movement games are popular indoor recess activities.
What is a good indoor recess drawing activity?
Have each student draw a monster based on the first letter of their name, or play drawing charades.
What should be in an indoor recess bin?
Paper, pencils, colored pencils, prompt cards, drawing books and clipboards.
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Keep reading
- Why Teachers Should Make Time for DrawingDrawing isn't just for art class. Here's why teachers should make time for drawing across subjects, plus easy ways to fit it into a busy school day.
- Directed Drawing in the Classroom: A Teacher's GuideDirected drawing is a step-by-step drawing lesson that builds listening, sequencing and confidence. A teacher's guide to running it well in class.
- Early Finisher Drawing Activities That Aren't BusyworkEarly finishers need meaningful work, not busywork. Here are drawing activities teachers can use for early finishers that build real skills.
- Drawing for Kids With ADHD: What Parents NoticeMany parents of kids with ADHD notice drawing helps them focus and calm down. Here's why structured drawing works and tips to make it successful.
