The Crusty Goobers are Kevin Coulston’s crew of gross, goofy cartoon characters: lumpy, drippy, snaggle-toothed and very funny. They hook kids who think drawing is boring or “not for them,” because gross is fun and nobody worries about drawing a Goober perfectly. Kids draw them, trace them, invent new ones and make comics about them.
Why gross works
- Kids love gross. Slime, boogers and burps are endlessly funny between about 5 and 12.
- No pressure. A crusty, wonky character can’t be drawn “wrong.”
- Rebellion, safely. Drawing something a little gross feels cheeky but harmless.
- Personality. Goobers are full of character, which makes them great for stories.
If your child says drawing is boring, a Goober might change their mind. See my child doesn’t like drawing.
Crusty Goober activities
- Draw a Goober step by step. On every step of a How to Draw page, a light gray outline shows the finished Goober, and kids add the black lines.
- Invent your own Goober. Lumpy shape, wonky teeth, something drippy, a ridiculous name.
- Goober comics. A Goober’s terrible day. See make a comic with kids.
- Goober trading cards. Name, gross power, smell rating.
- Goober family portrait. Everyone’s crusty.
- Goober yourself. A gross-out cartoon version of you.
Good for reluctant writers too
A Goober with a gross superpower is a great writing prompt. “Draw your Goober, then write what happens when it sneezes.” See draw then write prompts.
Is it too gross?
Goobers are silly gross, not scary gross: cartoon goo, crusty bits and funny faces. They suit most kids from about 5 up.
More Goobers
The Goobers have their own site at crustygoobers.com. For more silly drawing, see monster drawing ideas and silly faces.
The book that helps
The Crusty Goobers books come as How to Draw, Trace Then Color and Draw by Grid, plus a second volume of each.
How to Draw: Crusty Goobers
Trace Then Color: Crusty Goobers
Draw by Grid: Crusty Goobers
How to Draw: Crusty Goobers 2As an Amazon Associate, FirstArtBooks earns from qualifying purchases.
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Questions
What are Crusty Goobers?
A cast of gross, goofy cartoon characters created by Kevin Coulston, with drawing books in step-by-step, tracing and grid formats.
Why do kids like gross drawings?
Gross is funny to kids, especially ages 5 to 12, and it removes the pressure to draw something perfect.
What age are Crusty Goobers books for?
Trace Then Color is for ages 3 and up; How to Draw and Draw by Grid are for ages 5 and up.