110 Summer Drawing Ideas for Kids and Teens (Easy to Advanced)
110 Creative Summer Drawing Ideas For Kids And Teens
Summer break hits and suddenly you've got a kid who is bored, a stack of paper, and approximately zero ideas. 🫣 I've been there. This list is the thing I wish someone had handed me when my kids were bored at home. It includes 110 drawing prompts sorted by theme, with something for every age and skill level. Grab whatever you have on hand. Pencils, markers, even the sad box of crayons from the junk drawer. Let's go!
Every idea on this list has an age range and a skill level so you know exactly where to start. Beginner means simple shapes, no experience needed. Intermediate means a bit more detail and patience. Advanced means your teen will actually be challenged.
How to Use This List
Don't just scroll to the first idea and stop there. A few ways to get more out of this:
Pick a category and go deep. Choose "Ocean Inspiration" for a whole week of beach drawings. It's a great way to watch skills actually develop.
Turn it into a challenge. Pick one idea per day for 30 days and date each drawing. By the end of August, you'll have a full sketchbook and be genuinely surprised at the improvement.
Mix two prompts together. A crab building a sandcastle. A flamingo at a pool party. A seagull wearing sunglasses. Some of the best drawings come from combining two ideas from different categories.
Start with pencil. Sketch lightly first, then outline with a fine-point marker once you're happy with the shapes. Add color last.
Want some fun coloring pages to go with this list? Click here for 130 FREE Summer Coloring Pages sent straight to your inbox! These are perfect for younger kids who want to trace or color while the older ones draw from scratch.
What you'll need for your summer drawing project
Disclaimer: Although I stand by all of the products I use, I sometimes receive a small commission from any products purchased via my affiliate links.
Crayons or colored pencils
Check out my favorite items on my Amazon storefront. You’ll find a full page of all of my favorite things!
Tips and Tricks Before You Start
Young kids can trace. For younger artists just starting out, tracing builds confidence and fine motor skills. Lay tracing paper over a reference image, trace the outlines, then add their own colors and details on top. As they get more comfortable, encourage them to try freehand! You’ll be surprised what’s possible even for the littlest hands.
YouTube is your friend. When you're stuck on how to draw something, search YouTube for a step-by-step tutorial. There are great channels for every skill level and subject, from animals, landscapes, cartoon characters, you name it. Find an instructor whose style clicks and follow along.
Always start with pencil. Sketch lightly first. This lets you experiment with proportions and layout before committing to marker or paint. A light pencil sketch is always easier to fix than a permanent line.
Outline with a fine point marker. Once your pencil sketch looks right, go over it slowly with a fine-point marker for clean, crisp lines. Don't rush this part, the outline defines everything that comes next.
Add color last. Whether you're using crayons, colored pencils, or acrylic paint, color goes on after the outline is done. Experiment with blending and layering. Mix colors you wouldn't normally put together and see what happens.
Turn it into a challenge. A 30-day drawing challenge is so fun for kids from around age 6 and up. One prompt per day, dated, kept in a sketchbook. For younger kids, try a 7-day mini version with one simple prompt each day. Print the list and tape it somewhere visible.
Share the artwork. Hang it up. Frame it. Share it on social media if your kid is old enough. Art that gets seen inspires others to create, too!
110 Summer Drawing Ideas for Kids and Teens
Summer Hobbies
Summer is made for being outside and doing the things you love. These drawing prompts capture real activities kids actually do, from fishing at the lake to gardening in the backyard.
Don't see your favorite summer hobby? Add it to the list and draw that too.
Surfing at the beach
Draw a surfer catching a big wave, board angled forward, arms out for balance. Focus on the curve of the wave underneath. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Building sandcastles
Stack towers of different heights, add a flag on top, and draw a moat around the base with little waves. (Ages 5+ | Beginner)Skateboarding in the park
Show a skater mid-trick at the edge of a ramp. Draw the wheels, the board shape, and the motion lines. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Rollerblading on the boardwalk
A figure gliding forward with arms out, sun behind them, ocean in the background. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Camping in the wilderness
A tent surrounded by tall pine trees, a campfire in front, stars starting to appear in the sky above. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Fishing by the lake
Draw a dock stretching out over calm water, a fishing rod bent slightly, and a bobber floating on the surface. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Playing outdoor sports
A soccer game on a grass field, or a basketball hoop with a ball mid-arc. Pick the sport your kid loves. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Gardening in the backyard
Raised garden beds with different plants growing at different heights, a watering can nearby, dirt on the hands. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Riding bikes on trails
Two bikes on a winding path through trees, helmets on, sunlight coming through the leaves. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Birdwatching in nature
A child with binoculars pointed up at a tree branch where a bright bird is perched. Draw the bird in detail. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)
Family Adventures
These prompts are about the moments families actually remember — road trips, backyard barbecues, watching fireflies at dusk. Encourage your kid to draw a specific memory, not just a generic scene.
You could even give one of these drawings as a gift.
Picnicking in the park
A blanket spread out on the grass with a wicker basket, fruit, a book, and shoes kicked off nearby. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Having a backyard barbecue
A grill with smoke rising, a picnic table with plates and cups, and a few people gathered around. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Going on a road trip
A car loaded with luggage on a long highway, mountains or trees in the distance, a map in someone's hand. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Visiting an amusement park
A Ferris wheel against a blue sky, roller coaster in the background, balloons floating up. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Exploring a local zoo
An enclosure scene with a giraffe leaning over a fence, a child looking up from below. Focus on the size difference. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Going on a mountain hike
A winding trail through trees, peaks in the background, backpacks and hiking boots. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Watching outdoor movies
A big screen set up outside, blankets and lawn chairs, popcorn, the sky turning dark pink behind it. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Stargazing on warm summer nights
Two figures lying on a blanket in a field, looking up at a sky full of stars and a bright moon. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Family game night outdoors
A table outside with a board game, everyone leaning in, a string of lights above. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Taking a sunset walk together
Silhouettes of a family walking along a path, the sky behind them orange, pink, and gold. Great for practicing sky color blending. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)
Ocean Inspiration
Nothing says summer like the ocean. These prompts cover everything from coastal landscapes to the creatures living underneath the surface.
Palm tree swaying in the breeze
A curved trunk leaning slightly, long pointed leaves fanning out from the top. Add coconuts near the base. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Sailboats on the horizon
A wide calm sea with two or three sailboats at different distances, sails catching the wind. Practice drawing water reflections. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Beach scene with seagulls
A wide shoreline, waves coming in, a few seagulls standing in the wet sand or flying overhead. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Waves crashing against rocks
Dark jagged rocks with white foam exploding up around them, the ocean rough behind. Focus on the spray texture. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Lighthouse overlooking the ocean
A tall striped lighthouse on a cliff, a beam of light going out over the water, clouds behind. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Sand dunes
Rolling hills of sand in warm golden tones, a few pieces of beach grass bending in the wind, ocean in the distance. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Underwater sea creatures
A scene below the surface with a sea turtle gliding past, fish darting around coral. Practice drawing water light ripples from above. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Beach bonfire with friends
A circle of people around a fire on the beach at night, the flames reflected on the sand and water. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Sunset over the ocean
A horizon line with the sun halfway down, the sky behind it layers of orange, coral, pink, and purple. Draw the reflection on the water below. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Tropical island paradise
A small island with a single palm tree, surrounded by turquoise water, a tiny boat anchored nearby. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)
Pool Party Inspiration
Backyard pools, splash pads, water balloons… these prompts are all about the energy of summer water fun!
Kids splashing in the pool
Motion lines, water droplets in the air, arms up. Try to capture movement rather than a still scene. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Colorful pool floats
A giant flamingo float, a pineapple, a donut — draw them from above looking down into a pool. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Poolside barbecue
A grill set up right next to the pool deck, burgers on the grill, towels draped over chairs, drinks on a table. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Diving competition
A figure mid-air, body straight, arms pointed, the pool below. Focus on the pose — arms, toes, body angle. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Water balloon fight in the backyard
Balloons in the air, mid-burst, water exploding out. This one is great for practicing motion and impact. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Lounging on poolside chairs
Two beach chairs side by side, sunglasses and a book on one, a drink with a straw on the other, sun overhead. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Game of Marco Polo — A figure in the water with eyes closed, arms outstretched, other figures trying to swim away in the background. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)
Underwater swimmer
Draw what it looks like below the surface: goggles, bubbles rising, legs kicking, sunlight coming through the water from above. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Reflection of palm trees in the pool
Still water surface with the upside-down reflection of trees and sky. Great practice for understanding reflections. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Poolside snacks and drinks
A tray with popsicles, fruit slices, and a sweating glass of lemonade. Focus on the textures and colors. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)
Fourth of July
Fireworks, flags, and cookouts. These prompts celebrate everything that makes the Fourth feel like the Fourth.
Fireworks lighting up the night sky
Bursts of color against a dark sky, different shapes and sizes exploding at different heights. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Fourth of July parade
Marching bands, floats, flags lining the street, crowd watching from the sidewalk. (Ages 9+ | Intermediate)Backyard barbecue with family
Long picnic table, red-white-and-blue decorations, food spread out, people standing around. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)The American flag
Focus on getting the proportions right: the field of stars in the upper left, the stripes filling the rest. A good exercise in pattern drawing. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Patriotic bunting and banners
Draped along a front porch railing, red white and blue fabric swags. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Playing with sparklers
Two kids holding glowing sparklers in the dark, light trails spiraling around them. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Cookout spread
Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, watermelon slices laid out on a table. A fun food still life. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Baseball game
A batter at the plate, crowd in the stands behind, the pitcher mid-wind-up. (Ages 9+ | Intermediate)Neighborhood block party
Tables pushed end to end down a closed street, people everywhere, music playing, kids running. (Ages 9+ | Advanced)Picnic with red, white, and blue decor
Checkered blanket, patriotic paper plates and cups, flags stuck in the grass around it. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)
Animals
These prompts span beach creatures, insects, and backyard visitors. Encourage your kid to look up a reference photo before starting — it makes a big difference in the final drawing.
Seagulls flying over the beach
A flock at different heights and distances, wings in different positions. Practice drawing birds in motion. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Crabs scuttling along the shore
A crab from above, claws out, walking sideways in the wet sand. Draw the textures on the shell. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Sea turtles nesting in the sand
A large turtle on the beach at night, tracks behind her, the ocean in the background. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Dolphins leaping out of the water
One or two dolphins mid-arc, water droplets trailing off their tails. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Tropical fish in coral reefs
Bright fish darting between colorful coral. Great for practicing pattern and color work. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Playful otters in a river
Two otters floating on their backs, paws on their chests, current moving around them. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Whale breaching
A humpback whale launching out of the ocean, water cascading off its body, horizon behind. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Butterflies in a garden
Several butterflies on different flowers, wings open, each with different patterns. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Birds nesting in trees
A nest tucked into a branch, baby birds with mouths open, a parent arriving. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Squirrels playing in the park
Two squirrels chasing each other around the base of a big oak tree. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)
Summer Foods
Ice cream, lemonade, watermelon, s'mores, the flavors of summer make great drawing subjects. Focus on colors and textures here.
Ice cream cones with sprinkles
A towering double or triple scoop, sprinkles covering the top, a drip running down the cone. (Ages 5+ | Beginner)Juicy watermelon slices
A thick wedge with seeds, the green rind showing at the bottom, the red so bright it almost looks wet. (Ages 5+ | Beginner)Picnic basket with sandwiches and fruit
An open wicker basket, a red-checked cloth, grapes, apples, and wrapped sandwiches inside. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Burgers sizzling on the grill
Patties on the grill grates, smoke rising, grill marks visible. Draw the flame underneath. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Refreshing glasses of lemonade
A tall glass with ice cubes, a lemon slice on the rim, condensation on the outside. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Colorful fruit salad
A bowl full of strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and melon. Focus on making each piece look different. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Barbecue feast with ribs and corn
A full spread on a picnic table… ribs, corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Popsicles in different flavors
Three or four popsicles in a row, different colors, with wooden sticks. Maybe one already starting to drip. (Ages 5+ | Beginner)Fresh-baked cookies
A cooling rack with cookies still warm, steam rising off them. Draw the chocolate chips up close. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)S'mores over the campfire
A marshmallow on a stick, toasted golden brown, a graham cracker and chocolate square beside it. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)
Outdoor Scenes
These are landscape and environment prompts, great for teens who want to work on composition and background drawing.
Sun-filled forest
Tall trees with sunlight streaming through gaps in the leaves, shadows on the forest floor below. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Wildflowers in a meadow
A field of flowers at different heights — daisies, poppies, black-eyed Susans — with a blue sky and clouds above. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Lakeside scene
A dock, a rowboat tied to a post, still water reflecting the treeline, mountains in the distance. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Bustling farmer's market
Stalls with produce, signs, awnings, people carrying bags. A complex scene worth breaking into sections. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Busy city park
People on benches, kids on a playground, dogs on leashes, pigeons on the path. A full scene with many small characters. (Ages 9+ | Advanced)Summer carnival
A Ferris wheel, funnel cake stand, ring toss booth, colored lights. Draw it at dusk with the lights starting to glow. (Ages 9+ | Intermediate-Advanced)Peaceful country road
A long straight road through farm fields, fence posts on either side, a big blue sky with one fluffy cloud. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Field of sunflowers
Rows of tall sunflowers from a low angle, looking up, the sky behind them. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Kids playing in a sprinkler
Two kids running through a sprinkler arc in a backyard, laughing. Water droplets frozen mid-air. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Sunset over a rural landscape
A farmhouse silhouette, a barn, flat fields, and an enormous sky going from gold to purple to dark blue. (Ages 9+ | Advanced)
Summer Fashion
These prompts are great for kids and teens interested in design and illustration. Encourage them to invent their own patterns and colorways.
Kids in summer hats and sunglasses
Different hat styles — bucket hats, wide brims, visors — each with different sunglasses. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Colorful swimsuits and cover-ups
Flat lay fashion illustration: swimsuits, cover-ups, and sarongs arranged on a white background. (Ages 9+ | Intermediate)Trendy flip-flops and sandals
Several pairs from above, different styles, decorated with patterns. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Summer dresses blowing in the breeze
A figure in a flowy dress, fabric moving, hair caught in the wind. Practice drawing fabric movement. (Ages 9+ | Intermediate)Stylish shorts and tank tops
A fashion flat lay of summer outfit combinations, shown as clothing without a body. (Ages 8+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Beach bag packed and ready
An open tote bag with a towel rolled up inside, sunscreen, sunglasses case, and a book sticking out. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Wide-brimmed sun hats
Several hat styles in a row: straw hats, canvas hats, floppy hats, each with a different ribbon or pattern. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Hawaiian shirts
Draw the classic Hawaiian shirt flat, covered with tropical flowers, pineapples, or parrots. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Ice cream cone t-shirts
Design a graphic tee with a summer theme — an ice cream cone, a sun, a wave. Draw the shirt flat with the design on the front. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Cool shades collection
A grid of different sunglass styles: aviators, cat-eye, round, wrap-around. Each in a different color. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)
Summer Celebrations
Birthday parties, graduations, family reunions… summer is full of celebrations worth drawing. These prompts work really well as handmade card ideas too.
Birthday party in the backyard
A long table with a cake in the center, balloons tied everywhere, streamers in the trees. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Graduation ceremony
Caps flying in the air, confetti falling, people cheering. A great composition challenge. (Ages 9+ | Advanced)Summer wedding with flowers
An outdoor ceremony with an arch covered in flowers, chairs on each side, a long aisle between. (Ages 9+ | Advanced)Neighborhood block party
Same idea as #49 but this time focus on the food table: a spread of dishes people brought to share. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Family reunion across generations
A group scene where you can see kids, parents, and grandparents all together. Think about how to show age in faces and posture. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Summer festival or fair
Colorful booths, a stage with a band, food trucks, a crowd. Draw from an elevated angle for a bird's-eye view of the whole scene. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Community barbecue
Long folding tables covered in dishes, people serving themselves, paper plates and plastic cups everywhere. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Pool party with friends
Kids hanging on the edge of the pool, floaties in the water, music playing from a speaker on the deck. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Fourth of July celebration
A rooftop with a group watching fireworks in the distance, the city skyline below them. (Ages 10+ | Advanced)Beach bonfire with s'mores
A fire surrounded by logs and driftwood, people holding sticks with marshmallows, the ocean dark behind them. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)
Nature Exploration
These prompts are about looking closely at the natural world… the kind of careful observation that makes any artist better, at any age.
Kids catching fireflies in a jar
Two kids in a summer evening yard, one holding a jarr up with a glow inside, the other reaching toward a light in the air. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Wildflower field buzzing with bees
Tall flowers at different heights, a few bees mid-flight between them, their wings a blur. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Butterfly garden
A formal garden with rows of flowers, several butterflies in different poses — wings open, wings closed, mid-flight. (Ages 7+ | Beginner-Intermediate)Rainbow after a summer rain
Dark clouds on one side, a rainbow arcing across, sunlight breaking through and lighting up a green field below. (Ages 6+ | Beginner)Kids exploring a tide pool
Children crouched over a rocky pool, looking down at the small creatures inside — sea stars, anemones, tiny crabs. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)Hiking through the mountains
A trail switchbacking up a steep hillside, hikers small against the mountain, peaks above. (Ages 9+ | Advanced)Nature scavenger hunt in the forest
A checklist on a clipboard (drawn in the image), and around it: a feather, a pinecone, a leaf, an acorn. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Sunflowers under a bright blue sky
Tall sunflowers from below, the faces turned upward, a bold blue sky filling the space around them. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)Picnic under a shady oak tree
A blanket spread in the dappled shade under a big oak, a basket open, fruit laid out, light filtering through the leaves above. (Ages 7+ | Intermediate)A serene pond with ducks and lily pads
Still water, lily pads with flowers, a family of ducks, the whole scene reflected perfectly on the surface. (Ages 8+ | Intermediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best summer drawing ideas for beginners? Start with simple subjects that have clear, familiar shapes: an ice cream cone, a sandcastle, a sun hat, or a watermelon slice. Every idea tagged Beginner on this list uses basic shapes and is a good starting point. No experience required.
How do I help my young child get started with drawing? Tracing is a great first step for younger kids — it builds fine motor skills and confidence without the pressure of drawing from scratch. Download the free coloring pages above and let them color first, then try to draw the same subject on a blank piece of paper.
What supplies do kids need for summer drawing? You really only need paper and a pencil to start. A fine-point marker (for outlining), colored pencils or crayons (for color), and an eraser are helpful additions. You don't need anything fancy — check out my Amazon storefront for the specific supplies I reach for.
Can teens use this list too? Yes. Ideas tagged Advanced are designed specifically for older kids and teens who want to be challenged. The landscape, ocean, and outdoor scene categories have the most Advanced prompts.
How do I turn this into a drawing challenge? Print the list or save it somewhere visible. Pick one idea per day and date each drawing. A 30-day challenge works well for ages 6 and up. A 7-day mini challenge works for younger kids. At the end, look at the first drawing and the last one side by side.
If drawing sparks something and your kid wants to keep going beyond pencil and paper, there's plenty more to explore on the blog. The rock painting beginners guide is a great next step for anyone who likes the idea of drawing on something other than paper. If you're planning summer camp or just need more activities in your back pocket, the camp crafts for kids list has 41 easy projects sorted by age. Nature lovers who want to take their outdoor sketching further will love the flower pressing guide — pressed flowers and hand-drawn art go really well together. And for teens who are ready for a real technique challenge, the linocut printmaking guide is a natural next step after sketchbook work.
Have a great crafty summer! ☀️
