Drawing has so many benefits, including improving hand-eye coordination, developing spatial awareness, enhancing creativity, and developing an attention to detail. Similarly, games teach kids essential skills like problem-solving, fair play, and strategy building, all while building confidence. Drawing games are also just plain fun! Whether you prefer putting pen (or marker or crayon) to paper or drawing digitally, there’s something for everyone on this list. You’ll also find games for little ones as well as games that even adults enjoy. Check out this roundup of our favorite drawing games!
(Just a heads up: WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
DIY Drawing Games
1. Back-and-Forth Drawing
This collaborative drawing game is so simple, all you need is some paper, markers or crayons, and a friend (or two). To play, simply have one person start a drawing and then pass it to the next person to add to the drawing. Do this until you think the drawing is complete!
2. Simon Says Draw
Since kids love the game Simon Says, we think they will love this drawing version of the popular classic. We especially love that it emphasizes good listening and following directions.
3. Copy What You Can’t See
First, have the designated drawer sit with their back to the other players. Everyone should have a clipboard with a piece of paper and a pencil. Then, the drawer draws a simple picture. Next, they describe their drawing to the other players and they try to draw it, but without ever seeing the original. We especially love that this game really emphasizes the need to give clear, precise instructions.
Learn more: Nurture Store
4. Scribble Drawing Game
This game is so simple yet so fun. Just have kids scribble on a piece of paper and then have them stare at it until something jumps out at them. Then have them outline what they see with a Sharpie.
Learn more: CraftWhack
5. Stick Man Occupation Game
Begin by drawing a basic stick man shape on a piece of paper. Have a stack of cards nearby that have various occupations written on them. Then, have a player pull a card and draw various items onto the stick figure that would be needed to do that job. The other players yell out guesses until someone finally gets it right.
Learn more: Early Impact Learning
6. Fold and Flip Drawing
This drawing game will really bring out each child’s individual creativity since the options it allows for are endless. First, fold a piece of paper into thirds and then cut slits into the paper as shown in the video. Then draw different heads, torsos, and bottoms for endless silly possibilities.
7. Funny Face Challenge
We love the art tutorials available at Art Hub for Kids, and this drawing game is no exception. Take turns with a partner telling the other person to draw a facial feature, and then see how silly your face turns out!
8. Eyes Closed Drawing Game
The concept behind this one is simple since all you need to do is have a child draw something with their eyes closed. But shhhhh! Don’t tell anyone what was drawn since the other players will want to take turns guessing.
9. Roll a Character
As far as drawing games go, this one is so creative and requires little more than paper, drawing materials, and dice. Make a chart that establishes which number on the die corresponds to a character, a color, and a pattern, then get rolling. It will be so fun to see how different (or similar) everyone’s drawings turn out!
Online Drawing Games
10. Drawize
This online drawing game is similar to Pictionary since one player draws while the other players attempt to guess what is drawn. We especially love that it is totally free and the game will find other friends to play with if you’re alone. You also get to pick an adorable avatar.
Learn more: Drawize
11. Quick, Draw!
This free online game is so fun to play, even alone! The computer tells you what to draw and then you have 20 seconds to try to draw it.
Learn more: Quick, Draw!
12. Drawasaurus
Parents or caregivers will want to monitor any child playing since there are public rooms. Private rooms can be established too to play with friends. One player draws something while the other players attempt to guess what it is. The spaces for each letter in the word appear at the top, similar to hangman.
Learn more: Drawasaurus
13. Poki/Basketball Line
This game is simple and can definitely be addictive. You simply try to draw a line along the dotted line connecting a basketball to a basketball hoop. If you get it close enough, you just might be lucky enough to score a basket!
Learn more: Poki/Basketball Line
14. KidMons
This is a fun and free online painting and drawing platform. Kids will have fun exploring all the different options.
Learn more: KidMons
15. Skribbl
This is another fun option for an online drawing and guessing game. Each game consists of multiple rounds, and the winner will be the player with the highest number of correct guesses.
Learn more: Skribbl
Store-Bought Drawing Games
16. Pictionary
When you think of drawing games, you likely think of the classic Pictionary. It’s better than ever now, with markers and erasable boards as well as lots of bonus cards.
Buy it: Pictionary at Amazon
17. Doodle Mayhem
Drawing games can be fun for adults and teens too! This fun, fast-paced game is different than the usual since everyone is drawing at once. Draw as fast as you can and then get to guessing everyone else’s drawings before time runs out!
Buy it: Doodle Mayhem at Amazon
18. Whatchamadrawit
This game is not your parents’ Pictionary! Instead of drawing everyday objects, players are challenged to draw wacky and creative requests like a fly wearing a cape and lots of bling!
Buy it: Whatchamadrawit at Amazon
19. Pixicade
This game is part physical game and part app so you will need a tablet to be able to play. This is a great first step for an aspiring video game designer since they get to design and draw a game and then play it!
Buy it: Pixicade at Amazon
20. Pictionary Air: Kids vs. Grown-Ups
This is such a fun twist on Pictionary since the magic pen allows players to draw in the air and have it appear on a screen. You will need to download the free Pictionary Air app to play.
Buy it: Pictionary Air at Amazon
21. Drawsome People
We love the idea of having drawing games on hand that can be played by slightly older kids or even adults. Budding caricature artists will love this game since it challenges you to draw celebrities and even your fellow game players!
Buy it: Drawsome People at Amazon
22. Storybook Kit
While not exactly a game, this storybook-making kit is such a great drawing (and writing) activity for kids. The best part is they can have their book printed and delivered to them at the end!
Buy it: Lulu Jr. Illustory: Create Your Own Book at Amazon
23. LCD Tablet
If your kids are burning through paper and markers, this affordable drawing tablet is the perfect answer. You can play any number of drawing games in our DIY section with an LCD tablet like this one.
Buy it: LCD Writing Tablet at Amazon
24. Artsy Fartsy
The name alone will be enough to get the teens and tweens in your life laughing, but the fun won’t stop there. This game is filled with all kinds of unusual drawing challenges like drawing with your nondominant hand.
Buy it: Artsy Fartsy at Amazon
25. Creatures
This game will really get the creative juices flowing since you will have to create mythical creatures from five separate prompts. You can play with friends round-robin style, with each person adding their own ideas, or challenge yourself in solo mode.
Buy it: Mythical Creatures Drawing Game at Amazon
What are your favorite drawing games? Share in the comments below!
Plus, check out our favorite drawing books for kids.
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