Drawing games for kids: simple ways to play together
A circle, a wobbly line and a pair of giant feet are enough to start a drawing game. These activities give children and adults something to create together. Use paper and pencils, or play Monster Maker on one iPhone or iPad with two or three people taking turns.
Start with a hidden monster
Explain the game by pointing to a head, a body and some legs. Each player draws one part without seeing the full picture. With two players, one person draws twice; with three, each person takes a part. Reveal the whole creature after the last turn.
On paper, fold the sheet into three sections and leave small joining lines visible when hiding each drawing. In the app, finish the turn and the part folds away before you pass the device. An adult can handle setup and help with finishing turns.
A simple shapes drawing game
For children who are unsure what to draw, suggest one big shape for each part: a round head, a square body and triangle feet. Let the child add eyes, dots, stripes or whatever they imagine. The next player can choose a completely different shape.
Try another round using only soft, wobbly shapes, then one with corners and zigzags. These are prompts you choose together, not app settings. Let children keep their own lines rather than correcting the picture to match an example.
Invent a creature and its home
Pick a place before you start and ask one small question to help each player imagine their part:
- Under the sea: how will its head look underwater?
- In a snowy garden: what will keep its body warm?
- On the moon: will it walk, bounce or roll?
Turn the reveal into a storytelling game
After you reveal the creature, take turns saying one thing about it. One person invents a name, the next decides what it eats, and the last describes where it sleeps. There are no right answers to guess.
On another round, imagine two of your monsters meeting. Would they share a snack or go on a trip? You can talk through the story together and keep the picture as its starting point. In the app, finished monsters are saved in the gallery.
Help younger players take part
Start with one creature and see whether the child wants another turn. Monster Maker has no drawing timer or score, so each player can choose how much detail to add. A finger works on iPhone and iPad; Apple Pencil is optional on compatible iPads.
You can play locally on one device without creating a profile. For online play with children, a parent or guardian should take part and invitations should go only to people the child knows. The drawing game runs in the app; paper is an option when you want a screen break.
Questions about the game
Does a child need to read to play?
The drawing turns do not require reading or spelling. An adult can read the setup screens, enter player names and show the child how to finish a turn.
Which age are these drawing activities for?
Start when a child enjoys making marks and can take turns with help. Adjust the shapes and prompts to the child rather than requiring a particular drawing skill. Check the App Store listing for the app’s current age rating.
Can we play these games for kids without a screen?
Yes. Use folded paper and pencils for the hidden monster, then try the shape, habitat and story prompts. An adult can help hide each part while leaving the joining lines visible.