Celebrate the season with a collection of eight step-by-step Fall directed draws for kids. Learn how to draw a pumpkin, leaf, squirrel, owl, scarecrow, and more!
We love Fall directed draws
I have done a million, nay, a billion art projects with kids in the classroom.
I’ve done drawing, painting, sculpting, squishing, mixing, dripping, cutting, and everything in between.
Of alllll the years and allll the projects, directed draws are forever one of my most favorite, favorite art activities to do with kids!
🍁 Related: Check out our GIANT, 10-foot Fall coloring banner with larger-than-life Fall art.
What does directed drawing mean?
Directed draws are step-by-step drawings that walk children through how to draw something from beginning to end.
Sometimes, adults lead directed draws by modeling each step for the kids and having the kids follow along from beginning to end.
Sometimes, kids independently create directed draws by referencing a sheet that illustrates each step from beginning to end.
Whether adult-led or child-led, kids follow a sequence of “first draw this and then draw this and then draw this…” until their paper transforms from a blank canvas to an absolute piece of art.
🍁 Don’t miss these other Fall art activities:
- Foil and Marker Leaf Prints
- Sunflower Still Life Art
- Fall Sensory Writing Activity + FREE Printable
- Shadow Tracing
Materials
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You don’t need anything fancy, and any paper and drawing supplies you have on hand right now will work. We love a project that requires little to no prep. If you want to elevate your art, here are our favorite art supplies (which conveniently work for more than just directed draws!)
How directed draws work
In our set of Fall Directed Draws, we include eight different Fall designs and a printable step-by-step guide on how to create each one. Some people use these to lead groups of kids all at once, and some print off the guides and let the kids create independently.
The designs included in the set are:
- Owl
- Pumpkin
- Leaf
- Scarecrow
- Pig
- Squirrel
- Apple
- Sunflower
Each design is easy to draw by following the step-by-step guides and kids are so proud to show off their art! Directed draws are a huge confidence boost for young artists as it’s easy for young kids to create stunning drawings.
My favorite is leading a group of kids in a directed draw and then watching how some of the kids will repeat the steps from memory and draw the same object over and over again, beaming with pride over their incredible skills.
No two pieces look exactly the same
Even though the kids are following the same steps, each piece turns out differently from one another.
- Some kids make their drawings small, some make them large.
- Some kids draw on the left side of the paper, some draw in the center.
- Some kids fill in their art with lots of colors, some leave just the lines.
This is the best part.
Adding personal touches and flare to art is what makes it special and unique to each artist. It’s a joy seeing how each piece truly reflects the artist that created it.
Additionally, in the Fall Directed Draws pack, several samples of each project are included to give you and your artists ideas on materials and colors to experiment with.
The Fall directed draws pack is a fantastic teaching and learning tool
Directed draws are made richer when children can see the actual object in the world before they create (and sometimes even during!).
We also include three full-color photos of the actual item in real life for each design in the set. For example, in the set you will find the guide on how to draw an apple, but you’ll also find three photos of apples:
- One of the outside of an apple
- One of the inside of an apple
- One of an apple tree
Kids can draw a lot of inspiration and knowledge by looking at photos of the items, and it’s also a fantastic conversation starter.
Fall directed draws are easy to start
The Fall directed draws set is quick and easy to download and you can start creating in minutes.
Whether casually doodling on scratch paper or making a frame-worthy piece of art, directed draws are always a hit for artists of all ages!
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! You can use any drawing supplies that you have on hand or in the bottom of your purse.
Absolutely! In addition to all of the fine motor, spatial awareness, and creative skills used, kids can build a lot of confidence in their drawing abilities.
We think these drawings are excellent for preschool through first grade.
directed drawing scarecrow…thanks