Too Old for Cartoons? Why Older Kids Still Love Them
Think your older kid is too old for cartoons? Think again. Cartoon drawing builds real skills and many tweens and teens love weird, edgy characters.
Older kids are never too old for cartoon drawing. Cartoons teach exaggeration, expression, design and storytelling, which are skills professional artists use. Weird, edgy subjects like mutant animals appeal to tweens and teens who find cute characters babyish.
Some parents worry that cartoon drawing is too young for older kids. In reality, cartooning is a respected art form, and many older kids love it.
Why cartoons build real skills
- Simplification. Reducing complex things to clear shapes.
- Exaggeration. Emphasizing features for effect.
- Expression. Showing emotion clearly.
- Design. Creating memorable characters.
- Storytelling. Comics and animation.
Edgy subjects for older kids
How to Draw: Mutant Animals is made for older kids who like weird mash-ups more than cute ones. The strange creatures feel cool rather than babyish.
Cartoon careers
Animators, illustrators, comic artists and game designers all use cartooning skills. Older kids may be inspired to know drawing can be a career.
Projects for older kids
- Original comic series
- Character design sheets
- Animation flipbooks
- Fan art
For more, see keeping tweens drawing and why cartoon drawing is a great place to start.
Questions parents ask
Are cartoons good for older kids to draw?
Yes. Cartooning teaches simplification, exaggeration, expression, design and storytelling.
What should tweens draw?
Weird creatures, comics, character designs, fan art and sci-fi or fantasy subjects often appeal to tweens.
Can cartoon drawing lead to a career?
Yes. Animation, illustration, comics and game design all build on cartooning skills.
More in ages and stages, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.
Keep reading
- Why Toddler Scribbling Matters More Than You ThinkToddler scribbles matter more than you think. Scribbling builds hand strength, coordination and early communication. Here's how to support it.
- The Stages of Children's Drawing, From Scribbles OnChildren's drawings follow predictable stages, from scribbles to shapes to detailed scenes. A parent's guide to each stage and how to support it.
- Drawing With Preschoolers: Ages 3 and 4Drawing with 3- and 4-year-olds is all about exploration. Here's what to expect, which tools to use and fun activities, including first tracing.
- Draw It Again: The Power of Redrawing a FavoriteRedrawing a favorite character again and again isn't boring, it's practice. Learn why repetition builds drawing skill and confidence in kids.
