Creative Drawing Activities for Kids
Free Printable Drawing Prompts That Get Kids Thinking
Some kids love colouring neatly inside the lines.
Others want to turn the page upside down and draw something completely unexpected.
This page is for the second group — and for the educators and parents who want to give all kids space to think, imagine, and explain their ideas without needing lots of setup or instructions.
Every activity on this page starts the drawing for the child and then steps back. There’s no “correct” answer. The drawing only works when the child decides what happens next.
All of the worksheets linked below are free, black-and-white, and designed to work in real settings like OSHC rooms, classrooms, rainy afternoons, and quiet corners at home.
How These Drawing Activities Work
Each printable gives children a visual starting point:
- a character
- an object
- a moment frozen in time
From there, the rest of the page is blank.
The thinking, storytelling, and creativity comes from the child.
These prompts work well because they:
- support mixed ages
- encourage explanation and discussion
- don’t rely on reading ability
- can be finished quickly or expanded into longer tasks
Many educators use them when they need something calm, flexible, and genuinely engaging.
Everyday Life & Imagination Drawing Prompts
These activities start with familiar situations and invite children to imagine what they don’t see yet.
- Draw your house (creative prompt):
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-your-house-worksheet-creative-printable-for-kids/
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-your-house-low-prep-activity-worksheet/ - Draw the big pet:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-the-big-pet-worksheet-free-printable-for-kids/ - Draw what the monster will eat:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/what-will-the-monster-eat-printable-imagination-worksheet/ - What can your flashlight find?:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/what-can-your-flashlight-find-creative-kids-worksheet/ - What’s under the magnifying glass?:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/whats-under-the-magnifying-glass-kids-drawing-worksheet/ - Draw what’s on the other end:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-whats-on-the-other-end-kids-imagination-prompt/
These are especially good for quieter moments where kids can work independently and then explain their drawing to someone else.
Adventure & Story Starter Drawing Activities
These prompts naturally lead into storytelling. Kids often add characters, movement, and backstory without being asked.
- Blast off (space prompt):
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/blast-off-drawing-activity-for-kids-free-printable/ - What can the submarine see?:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-what-the-submarine-can-see-underwater-drawing-worksheet-for-kids/ - Draw the planet the rocket is visiting:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-the-planet-the-rocket-is-visiting-space-drawing-worksheet-for-kids/ - Draw the treasure room:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-the-treasure-room-imaginative-drawing-activity-for-kids/ - What hatched from the egg?:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-what-hatched-from-the-egg-creative-drawing-prompt-for-kids/ - Draw the genie coming out of the lamp:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-the-genie-coming-out-of-the-lamp-imagination-drawing-activity-for-kids/
These work well as pre-writing activities or as part of longer storytelling sessions.
Observation and “What’s Happening?” Prompts
These activities ask children to imagine what’s happening just outside the frame.
- Say cheese (photo prompt):
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/say-cheese-drawing-worksheet-creative-photo-prompt/ - Look out (what’s coming?):
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/look-out-drawing-activity-for-kids-free-printable/ - What game is the boy playing?:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/what-game-is-the-boy-playing-drawing-prompt-for-kids/ - Where is the man going?:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-where-the-man-is-going-fun-kids-drawing-prompt/ - What surprised the window washer?:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-what-surprised-the-window-washer-kids-drawing-prompt/
These are strong conversation starters and work well in pairs or small groups.
Food, Fun, and Silly Drawing Activities
These prompts tend to get laughter first, then creativity.
- Build your own burger:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/build-your-own-burger-imagination-drawing-activity/ - Make your own pizza:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/make-your-own-pizza-printable-kids-drawing-activity/ - Draw your picnic:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-your-own-picnic-printable-kids-activity/ - Design the worst drink ever:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/make-the-worst-drink-ever-printable-worksheet-creative-activity/
These work particularly well at the end of the day when attention is lower but creativity is still high.
Quick Imagination Prompts with Simple Setups
Some drawings don’t need much explanation at all.
- Help me get down:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/help-me-get-down-drawing-activity-for-kids/
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/help-me-get-down-drawing-worksheets-for-kids/ - Draw something beneath:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/help-draw-something-beneath-the-kids-free-drawing-prompt/ - Draw the longest scarf:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-the-longest-scarf-free-imagination-drawing/ - Draw stars in the sky:
https://afterschoolcareprintables.com/printables/draw-stars-in-the-sky-free-kids-drawing-activity/
These are ideal for fast transitions or when materials are limited.
How Educators Commonly Use These
Most educators don’t use these as “art lessons.”
They use them when they need something that works immediately.
Common uses include:
- calm activities before pickup
- fast finisher tasks
- mixed-age OSHC groups
- indoor days
- creative breaks between structured activities
Often the most valuable part isn’t the drawing itself, but the explanation that comes after.
Download and Use
Each activity above links directly to its printable page.
You can download individual worksheets or select a few that suit your group on the day.
There’s no required order and no expectation that drawings look a certain way.
That’s the point.
Related Collections
If you’re looking for activities that require even less explanation or setup, you may also find these helpful:
