Everyone loves dinosaurs, especially kids! Getting creative and drawing on these big lizards from the prehistoric times is an exciting way to get kids entertained and learning at the same time. Drawing dinosaurs has never been easier, so let’s get started!
First, have your kids choose their favorite dinosaur and have them use their creativity to bring them to life. Once your kids have their dinosaur in mind, it’s time to break out the imagery. Encourage them to look up online references, illustrations from books, and even draw from life. Taking a look at real-life models of lizards, turtles and birds can give your children some good ideas and inspiration in this endeavor.
Now it’s time to get to work! One of the best ways to teach your kids how to draw a dinosaur is to start with the body shape first. A good starting point is to have your kids draw a circle for the body and then add the tail and legs. A theropod dinosaur typically has two legs and a sauropod typically has four legs. As they are drawing the body, ask questions to help your kids come up with details. For example, do they think it should have spikes, how long should its neck be, does it have floppy ears, or sharp claws?
Next, have your kids draw the head of their dinosaur. A dinosaur’s head can vary greatly depending on the type, so it might help to draw a simplified outline so it’s easier for them to focus on adding the details needed. Once they have the shape, have them draw in the eyes and the mouth to make the face appear more alive and realistic.
The next step is to draw in the scales and other details. Ask your kids to imagine what color it is and what kind of patterns it has. They can use their own imagination or browse real life photos of lizards and dinosaurs to get an idea of how scales might look. Then, have your kids draw in the scales, spikes, claws, wings, or feathers however they choose. The possibilities are endless!
Finally, once they have a completed drawing, it’s time to bring the dinosaur to life. If they are feeling adventurous, they can add a background to their picture, like a jungle or desert. They can also draw a volcano in the background or whatever their imagination leads them to create.
Now it’s time for the fun part! Have your kids use markers, crayons, or whatever else they like to color their drawing. If they’re feeling creative, they could even glue on bits of construction paper to make the drawing more realistic.
Drawing a dinosaur is an awesome way for kids to unleash their creative potential! By following these simple steps, your kids will be on their way to becoming the next prehistoric artist.
Once your kids have mastered the basics, it’s time to have them try something more complex. Have them explore different species of dinosaurs, such as the long-necked sauropods or the fierce therapods. Challenge your kids to add in shadows and highlights to add depth and dimension.
Encourage your kids to get creative and make it their own. Have your kids play around with different colors, shapes, and proportions to make their dinosaur unique. Every artist makes mistakes, and that’s how we all learn and grow, so remind them it’s okay if their drawing doesn’t turn out the way they expected it.
Another great way to challenge your kids is to have them draw something other than a dinosaur. They could draw from the pages of different books, like prehistoric creatures or creatures from outer space. They could even explore monsters from different myths and legends, like the Greek hydra or Chinese dragon. A world of artistic possibilities awaits them!
So, have your kids grab their pencils and paper and let their imaginations take them on a prehistoric journey. Drawing dinosaurs, and other creatures, is a great way for kids to explore the creative side of their minds. Who knows, you might even have the next Michelangelo on your hands!
