There is a reason drawing remains one of the most popular activities for young children. It requires very little setup, can be done almost anywhere, and gives toddlers complete freedom to explore. Unlike toys that come with specific rules or instructions, a blank sheet of paper offers endless possibilities.
If you’ve ever sat down with a toddler and a box of crayons, you’ve probably noticed that the process matters far more than the finished product. Adults often focus on what a child is drawing, while toddlers are usually more interested in the experience itself. They enjoy making marks, experimenting with colors, and discovering what happens when they move a crayon across a page.
Drawing also has the unique ability to grow alongside a child. What begins as simple scribbles eventually develops into recognizable shapes, people, animals, and scenes. Along the way, children build confidence, strengthen fine motor skills, and learn to express ideas in new ways.
The best part is that you don’t need to be artistic to enjoy drawing with your grandchild. Some of the most enjoyable drawing activities are surprisingly simple and require little more than paper, crayons, and a willingness to explore together.
If you’re looking for additional activities beyond art projects, visit our Fun Things to Do With Your Grandchild guide for ideas organized by age.
Why Drawing Is So Valuable for Toddlers
Many people think of drawing as a creative activity, but it offers much more than artistic expression. Every time your toddler picks up a crayon, marker, or piece of chalk, they’re practicing important physical and cognitive skills.
Drawing helps strengthen the small muscles in the hands and fingers that children eventually use for writing, buttoning clothing, and handling everyday objects. It also encourages hand-eye coordination as toddlers learn to control their movements and direct marks where they want them to go.
Perhaps even more importantly, drawing allows children to make choices. They decide which colors to use, where to place lines, and what to create. That sense of independence can be incredibly rewarding for young children.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children frequently highlights the importance of open-ended creative activities that allow children to explore without worrying about right or wrong answers.
Let Scribbles Be Scribbles
One of the biggest mistakes adults make is expecting toddlers to draw recognizable pictures too soon. While it may be tempting to ask what they’re drawing or suggest what they should create, most toddlers benefit from having the freedom to experiment.
Those random lines and colorful scribbles may not look meaningful to adults, but they represent important learning experiences. Your grandchild is discovering how different movements create different marks and how colors interact on the page.
Rather than focusing on the final result, pay attention to the process. Notice how your grandchild holds the crayon, experiments with pressure, or chooses colors. Encouraging exploration helps build confidence and keeps drawing enjoyable.
Take Drawing Outdoors
Many grandparents automatically think of drawing as an indoor activity, but taking art supplies outside can completely change the experience. Sidewalk chalk is often a toddler favorite because it allows children to draw on a much larger scale than paper. A driveway, patio, or sidewalk becomes a giant canvas where they can create shapes, patterns, and colorful designs.
You can also combine drawing with outdoor exploration. After a nature walk, encourage your grandchild to draw something they saw along the way. It might be a flower, a bird, a tree, or simply the colors they remember from the outing.
Drawing outdoors often feels less restrictive and can be especially appealing to active children who struggle to sit still for long periods.
Turn Everyday Objects Into Inspiration
One of the easiest ways to keep drawing interesting is to use the world around you as inspiration. Place a flower on the table and invite your toddler to draw it. Arrange a few stuffed animals and create a simple drawing station. Set out colorful leaves collected during a walk and encourage your grandchild to notice their shapes and patterns.
The goal isn’t realism. The goal is observation. Looking closely at everyday objects helps children notice details they might otherwise overlook. You may be surprised by how differently toddlers interpret what they see. A flower might become a collection of colorful circles. A teddy bear might appear as a series of energetic scribbles. That’s part of the fun.
Large Paper Creates Big Opportunities
Many toddlers enjoy drawing with large arm movements rather than the smaller motions adults typically use. Instead of limiting your grandchild to standard printer paper, try using larger sheets of paper, a roll of craft paper, or even the back of wrapping paper. The extra space encourages movement and allows children to experiment with bigger shapes and patterns.
Large drawing surfaces can also become collaborative projects. You might draw simple shapes, roads, or outlines while your grandchild adds colors and details. Working together often keeps toddlers engaged longer and introduces opportunities for conversation.
Drawing Games That Encourage Participation
Not every drawing activity needs to involve creating pictures. Some of the most successful activities focus on interaction rather than artistic results. You might draw a simple line and ask your grandchild to add something to it. Create large circles and encourage them to decorate the inside. Draw a few shapes and turn them into a playful guessing game.
Another favorite activity is drawing giant paths or roads on paper and then driving toy cars along them. The combination of drawing and imaginative play often appeals to children who don’t normally spend long periods at an art table.
The Crayola Creativity Week Resources offers additional ideas for encouraging creativity through simple art activities.
A few items to bring along
Drawing activities don’t require many supplies, but having a few options available can help keep things interesting.
- Crayons
- Washable markers
- Colored pencils
- Sidewalk chalk
- Large sheets of paper
- Clipboards for outdoor drawing
- Stickers
- Painter’s tape
- Wet wipes
Rotating supplies occasionally can make familiar activities feel new again.
Encouraging Creativity Without Taking Over
It’s natural to want to help when a child is drawing, but sometimes the best support comes from stepping back. Instead of showing your grandchild exactly what to draw, try asking open-ended questions. What colors would they like to use? What happens if they mix different shapes together? Which part of the picture do they like best?
These conversations encourage children to think creatively while maintaining ownership of their work. Remember that there is no perfect drawing at this age. A page filled with colorful scribbles can be just as valuable as a recognizable picture because the benefits come from the experience itself.
Encouraging Creativity Without Complicated Supplies
Drawing remains one of the simplest and most rewarding activities you can share with a toddler. It requires very little preparation, adapts easily to different interests, and provides opportunities for creativity almost anywhere.
Whether your grandchild is filling a page with colorful scribbles, drawing with sidewalk chalk outside, or creating imaginative scenes inspired by everyday objects, the activity encourages exploration and self-expression in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
The next time you’re looking for an easy activity, don’t worry about creating a masterpiece. Simply put out some paper and drawing supplies and see where your grandchild’s imagination takes them. Often, the most enjoyable moments begin with nothing more than a blank page and a box of crayons.
About the contributor
Written by the
ZestYears Editorial Team
