SEASONAL IDEAS AND ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

Directed Drawings for Elementary Students – 2026

Directed drawing activities are a fun and engaging way to teach elementary students how to draw. By guiding students through step-by-step instructions, these lessons build confidence, creativity, focus, and fine motor control, all while encouraging listening, vocabulary growth, and writing. Learn more about directed drawings below!

What is a Directed Drawing for Kids?

A directed drawing is a step-by-step drawing activity where children are guided through creating a specific picture by following verbal or visual instructions. It helps teach kids how to draw by breaking the process down into simple, manageable steps.

Can Directed Drawings Be Used in Classrooms?

Yes! It’s often used in classrooms to teach kids how to draw using a simple process.

What are the Benefits of Directed Drawings?

Below are some of the benefits of directed drawings:

strengthens listening and following directions as students work step-by-step
develops fine motor control through drawing and handwriting practice
expands vocabulary with optional word banks and seasonal word connections
encourages descriptive and narrative writing with draw-and-write prompts
builds creativity and self-expression by adding backgrounds, details, and color
supports oral language as students share, explain, or present their drawings

How Does Directed Drawing Improve Focus?

Directed drawing improves focus by providing a structured task that encourages students to pay close attention, follow directions, and stay on track from start to finish.

How Do You Teach Directed Drawings?

Our favorite way to teach directed drawings is using our directed drawing activities. Learn more about them below!

What Do the Direct Drawing Activities Include?

Each of the directed drawing activities includes the following:

step-by-step drawing guide that shows the 6 steps for how to draw the picture
“Just Draw” pages that guide students through drawing the picture with space for them to draw it
“Draw and Write” pages (primary and intermediate-ruled lines) where students draw the picture, add a background or scene, and write a sentence or a full story about it depending on what template you select
2 word work activities (can, have, is chart and parts of speech chart) to support vocabulary development
“How To” writing activities where students write step-by-step directions teaching the reader how to draw the picture, which reinforces sequencing and procedural writing

Why Teachers Love the Directed Drawing Activities

Elementary teachers love the directed drawing activities because…

The activities require no prep – just print and go!
Students love these types of activities and are highly engaged when working on them.
They are great filler and fast finisher activities, so they’ll be covered in a pinch.
There are tons of options to choose from in each of the directed drawing resources, so they can determine what works best for them and their students.
The structured, step-by-step format and differentiated templates help all students feel confident and successful when working on it, and allows them to continue to use the resource in the future even if they change grade levels.

Why Students Love the Directed Drawing Activities

Elementary students love the directed drawing activities because…

They feel proud when they can follow steps and complete a drawing on their own.
Directed drawing is enjoyable and helps them feel calm and focused.
They love adding their own colors, patterns, and details after the drawing is done.
They enjoy doing the same activity as their classmates and seeing different results.
They’re excited to share and display their final work.