Drawing Tips and Inspiration

Looking for a drawing book that will get your kids excited about drawing?

Some children will happily sit and draw for hours. Others stare at a blank piece of paper and say, “I don’t know what to draw!” The good news is that kids don’t need to be naturally artistic to enjoy drawing. Sometimes, they just need a little help getting started.The best drawing books for kids make creativity feel achievable, fun and pressure-free. You might be surprised by what children can create when they learn how to turn simple shapes, letters and numbers into something wonderful.

What makes a good drawing book for kids?

When choosing a drawing book for children aged 5+, there are a few things that can make all the difference.

1. Easy-to-follow steps

Big, complicated drawings can feel overwhelming. Breaking a picture into small, manageable steps helps children build confidence as they go.

2. Familiar starting points

Circles, squares, letters and numbers are things children already know how to draw. Using these as starting points makes drawing feel much less intimidating.

3. Room for imagination

Drawing shouldn’t be about making every picture look exactly the same. The best activities encourage children to add their own colours, patterns, expressions and creative details.

4. Activities children actually want to try

From cute animals and funny characters to magical worlds and everyday objects, interesting subjects make children want to keep turning the pages.

Three step-by-step drawing books for kids

When I created The Secrets to Drawing Anything books, I wanted to make drawing feel simple enough for any child to try. The idea is that if you can draw a letter, number or basic shape, you can learn to draw so many other things.

Here are three books designed to help little artists get started.

1. The Secrets to Drawing Anything

Best for kids who are just getting started with drawing. What if a simple letter or number could become an animal, a person, a car or even a cake? The Secrets to Drawing Anything shows children how much they can create using shapes they already know.With easy step-by-step instructions and plenty of ideas for personalising each drawing, it’s a lovely starting point for children who lack confidence or don’t know what to draw. I suggest always starting here as it has everything in it! 

Perfect for: Beginners, curious little artists and children who love learning clever drawing tricks.

2. Twirls, Swirls & Magical Worlds

Best for imaginative kids who love a little magic. For children who love dreaming up wonderful things, Twirls, Swirls & Magical Worlds is full of opportunities to explore their imagination through drawing.Using simple, achievable steps, children can practise their drawing skills while adding their own creative touches. It’s not about creating a perfect picture. It’s about discovering what happens when you give your imagination room to grow.

Perfect for: Kids who enjoy imaginative drawing, creative details and magical themes.

3. Cute Creatures & Curious Things

Best for kids who love animals and playful characters. If your child is always drawing animals, funny faces and adorable little characters, Cute Creatures & Curious Things is a lovely place to start. With simple step-by-step activities, children can discover how to create their own cute creatures and add personality through expressions, colours and details.

Perfect for: Animal lovers, character creators and children who enjoy drawing cute and curious things.

Why drawing is such a wonderful screen-free activity

One of my favourite things about drawing is how little you need to get started. A piece of paper, a pencil and a little inspiration. No screens, no batteries and no complicated setup. Drawing gives children the opportunity to slow down, practise new skills, solve creative problems and make something that’s completely their own. It’s also an activity they can return to again and again, discovering something new each time.

A little reminder for parents...

Your child doesn’t have to be good at drawing to enjoy it. Some of the most wonderful creations happen when children take a simple idea and turn it into something completely unexpected. A cat might become purple. A cake might have ten layers. A funny little monster might end up with six eyes. And that’s exactly the point. It’s not about drawing perfectly. It’s about having the confidence to give it a go.

Ready to inspire your little artist?

Explore the My Hidden Forest collection of step-by-step drawing books, created to help children aged 5+ discover just how much they can draw. Whether you’re looking for a creative birthday gift, a screen-free activity for the school holidays or simply a little inspiration for your next drawing afternoon, there’s plenty of creativity waiting inside.

Explore My Hidden Forest Drawing Books

Happy drawing!

Narin
Creator of My Hidden Forest