Daily Drawing Activity for Students
These simple drawing prompts are a low-key way to encourage students to create a habit of sketching and drawing. A full school year’s worth of 180 prompts is listed, but you can easily choose your favorites and make this a weekly activity.
How to Use the Prompts
First, decide on how frequently you want to use them. Daily, weekly, or even monthly if you prefer.
Next, decide on the size you will recommend. My favorite way to do this is in small 1-1/2 inch square boxes, requiring students to keep their drawing simple. You may wish to limit the size to 3 inch squares or a 5.5″x 8.5″ half-letter page size.
Finally, decide on the allowed art supplies. The simplest form is to allow only pencil sketches. My preference is to allow colored pencils so kids who love color can let their creativity shine.
Suggestions for using these simple drawing prompts:
- bell-ringer activity
- daily or weekly sketch practice
- year-long creative project to save as a keepsake
- activity during read-aloud times
- early finish activity
180 Simple Drawing Prompts for Students
- heart
- star
- mug
- rose
- cat
- dog
- sun
- rainbow
- clock
- house
- car
- book
- pencil
- tree
- hat
- cake
- chair
- arrow
- shell
- bird
- leaf
- donut
- yarn
- fork
- fish
- butterfly
- candle
- bird
- present
- apple
- pie
- earth
- panda
- cactus
- table
- horse
- strawberry
- pumpkin
- sunflower
- fruit bowl
- mountain
- balloons
- paint palette
- pinecone
- teddy bear
- fireworks
- sweater
- ice cream cone
- campfire
- juice pitcher
- skyscraper
- backpack
- lightbulb
- flowers in vase
- paintbrush
- ballet shoes
- squirrel
- nail polish
- palm tree
- watering can
- skateboard
- pyramid
- milkshake
- hot air balloon
- suitcase
- ornament
- wreath
- Christmas tree
- stocking
- candy cane
- bell
- music notes
- swing
- snowflake
- rabbit
- snowman
- rainboots
- dress
- crown
- tulip
- mailbox
- lemon
- scarf
- sailboat
- guitar
- train
- pear
- fern
- mittens
- acorn
- owl
- mermaid
- bow
- lipstick
- ice skates
- koala
- airplane
- watermelon
- skyline
- fox
- cookie jar
- fireplace
- bowl
- spoon
- window
- rake
- cherry
- carrot
- licorice
- Hershey kiss
- lamp
- headphones
- paper clip
- bed
- bench
- truck
- door
- penguin
- daisy
- pineapple
- dancer
- pathway
- forest
- jump rope
- steps
- spiral
- locket
- trumpet
- key
- rocket
- unicorn
- cupcake
- party hat
- scissors
- shamrock
- sneaker
- starfish
- duck
- dandelion
- face
- shooting star
- harmonica
- fir tree
- flamingo
- bell pepper
- teapot
- peacock
- elephant
- button
- ring
- lightning
- bread
- cabin
- volcano
- bridge
- whale
- bicycle
- camera
- citrus slice
- lighthouse
- tent
- sunset
- planet
- dice
- umbrella
- castle
- popsicle
- beach ball
- birdhouse
- wagon
- ladder
- watch
- swimsuit
- sunglasses
- flip flops
- kite
- tote bag
- Rubix cube
- telescope
- microphone
Sketching Supplies
Simple Sketch Art Prompts for Students
Similar to journaling, students who resist the idea at first may be won over by keeping it simple. Encourage them to think about a single-line sketch, abstract images, or cartoon images as valid options for their drawings.
There’s a fantastic Tedx Talk by Graham Shaw titled, “Why people believe they can’t draw—and how to prove they can” that walks through an example of teaching anyone to draw. Start your students out with that interactive video to get them excited about what they really can do and encourage them to keep trying.
Anyone can improve their skills through practice. After 180 days, your students will likely see improvements in their drawing if they commit to work at it for just 10 minutes a day.
Visit my printable resource library to grab a free download containing all 180 drawing prompts to use with your students.
Visit my homeschool resources page for monthly unit study ideas, projects, and homeschool planning help!
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180 Simple Art Prompts for Sketching
