Adorable Animals Preschoolers Can Draw

Simple tutorial showing how preschoolers can draw 3 different animals using 1 template

I was instantly in love with the adorable animal drawings my twins brought home from their Montessori preschool recently.

During free play time at the end of the day, they’d used the standard Montessori material called a metal inset to trace ovals. 

In Montessori, kids usually have a prescribed way of working with metal insets. It is a great way to improve fine motor skills, but students are only allowed to use them as they’ve been taught.

Luckily, our school allows kids to have free time with the materials at the end of the day. So my girls added features to their ovals, making various animals. Next to each animal, they had hand drawn a baby version. 

The ducklings are my favorite.

Books and Giggles: Simple tutorial showing how preschoolers can draw 3 different animals using 1 template

These aren’t my girls’ actual drawings. I copied them as best I could. I asked if I could take a picture of theirs, but they said no. I never could get to the bottom of what their reasons are, but I want to respect their feelings. 
It didn’t take me long to make my own. 
Of course, we don’t have metal insets at home, so I had to figure out how to make one. First, I raided my recycling bin for a cereal box. Then I dug out my old scrapbooking tool for cutting out ovals. 
You could also just use a craft knife or even a good pair of scissors. I’d bet most kids will overlook an imperfect oval.
Next, get out a pencil and some colors.
Books and Giggles: Simple tutorial showing how preschoolers can draw 3 different animals using 1 template
A  dog is probably the simplest animal to draw first. Show your child how to trace inside the template, and what the end result could look like, and then let creativity take over from there.
Books and Giggles: Simple tutorial showing how preschoolers can draw 3 different animals using 1 template



Here’s a penguin. His wings were really easy to draw inside the oval.
Books and Giggles: Simple tutorial showing how preschoolers can draw 3 different animals using 1 template

My girls also made an elephant, and you could easily make a lion too. 

What else would your kids like to draw with an oval? They can find some inspiration in a baby animal book, or they might just like to invent something all their own. 

11 Comments

  1. This is a lovely idea. There are so many animals you could create from the initial template. My littlest is learning about frogs at the moment, I think we could do a magnificent frog!

  2. Excellent idea particularly for kids who aren't artistically inclined – the shape gives them a great starting point.

  3. What a great idea. We have shape stencils at home my girls could use to make animals like these. They look so cute.
    Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids

  4. I love the ideas. One of my girls is a big fan of dogs and penguins so she'll certainly love this #twinklytuesday

  5. What a good idea! My kids always got frustrated when they couldn't make a "perfect" oval or circle. : )

  6. How exciting! Thank you. My girls are still using the template I made – they really went to town with it. One of them made an adorable horse I wish I'd had for this post.

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