The best drawing book for a child depends on their age and fine motor skills. For ages 3 to 5, choose a tracing book where kids trace a dotted outline, then color it. For ages 5 and up, choose a step-by-step How to Draw book. For ages 7 to 12, add a grid drawing book, which teaches careful observation. Then pick a theme your child already loves: dinosaurs, robots, unicorns, monsters or animals.
Quick guide
| Age | Best format | What kids do |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | Trace Then Color | Trace a dotted outline, then color |
| 5 to 6 | Trace Then Color or How to Draw | Trace, or follow simple steps |
| 6 to 8 | How to Draw | Follow steps, then draw on their own |
| 7 to 12 | How to Draw or Draw by Grid | Longer lessons and square-by-square copying |
| Tweens | Draw by Grid, Shape Drawing Challenge | Detailed copying, creative challenges |
Ages 3 to 4: tracing
Preschoolers are still building the hand strength and control to make the lines they want. Tracing lets them succeed right away: they trace the dotted outline of a character, then color it in. It’s great practice for pencil grip and the strokes that become handwriting. See tracing for kids and teach a preschooler to draw. Try the Trace Then Color series.
Ages 5 to 6: tracing and first steps
Kindergartners can start step-by-step drawing. In a How to Draw book, every step shows the complete drawing as a light gray outline, so kids can see the layout and spacing while they add the black lines. Many 5-year-olds still enjoy tracing too, so it’s fine to have one of each. See teach a kindergartner to draw.
Ages 6 to 8: step-by-step
This is the sweet spot for How to Draw books. Kids can follow each step, check their drawing and start inventing their own versions. See drawing activities for 6 and 7 year olds and how a How to Draw page works.
Ages 7 to 12: grid drawing
Grid drawing breaks a drawing into small squares, and kids copy one square at a time. It teaches observation, proportion and patience, and connects nicely to math. The Draw by Grid books are for ages 5 and up, but they’re best from about 7. See what is grid drawing? and drawing ideas for 8 to 10 year olds.
Tweens: challenge and creativity
Older kids often want something more grown-up. Grid drawing, longer step-by-step lessons and creative challenges like the Shape Drawing Challenge work well. See drawing for tweens.
Choose the theme
Interest matters as much as age. A kid who loves dinosaurs will practice for hours with a dinosaur book. Our themes include dinosaurs, robots, aliens, monsters, cute animals, pets, sea creatures, unicorns and mermaids, fairies, food monsters, silly faces, Halloween and Christmas. See why kids love dinosaurs and my child only draws one thing.
Between ages?
If a child is between formats, start with the easier one. Success builds confidence, and they’ll move up quickly. For a deeper comparison, see which drawing book series is right for my child? and Draw by Grid vs How to Draw.
Tip: Try before you buy. Our free activity pages include pages from every format, so you can see which one clicks.
The book that helps
FirstArtBooks makes the same themes in three formats, Trace Then Color (3+), How to Draw (5+) and Draw by Grid (5+, best from 7), so you can match the age and the interest.
Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Animals
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
Draw by Grid: Cute Cartoon Animals
Shape Drawing ChallengeAs an Amazon Associate, FirstArtBooks earns from qualifying purchases.
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Questions
What is the best drawing book for a 3 year old?
A tracing book, where kids trace a dotted outline and then color it in. Trace Then Color books are made for ages 3 and up.
What drawing book is best for a 5 or 6 year old?
A step-by-step How to Draw book, made for ages 5 and up, or a tracing book if they’re still building pencil control.
What is a good drawing book for an 8 to 10 year old?
Step-by-step books with more detailed drawings, or grid drawing books, which are best from about age 7.