How to Draw a Cartoon Lion (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this cartoon lion step by step with a pencil and eraser. It takes about 15 minutes and works for ages 5 and up. Follow the steps below, or draw along with the video. The page comes from Kevin Coulston’s book How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals.

- Step-by-step drawing
- Ages 5+
- Grades K–2
- Easy
- About 15 min with the video
You’ll need
- Pencil and eraser
- Paper, or the printed page
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
You’ll practice
- Breaking a drawing into simple shapes
- Following steps in order
- Adding your own details
Free Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw a Cartoon Lion!
Have you ever wanted to learn how to draw a lion, but make it extra cute and cartoonish? You’re in luck! We just released a free video drawing tutorial featuring one of the characters from our newest beginner drawing book, How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals.
In this video, you’ll learn step-by-step how to draw a cartoon lion with a big round head, fluffy mane, and the friendliest face you’ve ever seen. It’s perfect for kids and beginners who love drawing animals, especially the silly and sweet kind.
You don’t need any fancy tools—just grab a pencil and some paper and press play. You can pause the video anytime to follow along at your own pace. Whether you’re a young artist, a parent looking for a creative afternoon activity, or a teacher adding art to the classroom, this lion drawing tutorial is a fun and easy way to learn cartoon drawing basics.
Once you finish your lion, you might find yourself wanting to draw more cute creatures. That’s where our book comes in!
About the Book: How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
If you loved drawing the cartoon lion from the video, you’ll love diving into the full collection of animals waiting for you inside How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals. This book is designed for beginners, ages 5 and up, with simple step-by-step instructions that build confidence while teaching essential drawing skills.
Inside the book, you’ll find 50 cute cartoon animals to draw. From pets like cats and dogs to jungle creatures, ocean animals, birds, and more—there’s a wide variety to explore, all in the same playful cartoon style.
Here’s what makes this book so great:
1. Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Instructions
Each drawing is broken down into easy-to-follow steps. Young artists build their characters line by line, starting with simple shapes and adding details gradually. This helps eliminate frustration and gives a sense of accomplishment at every stage.
2. Teaches Drawing Fundamentals Through Fun Characters
By following these guided tutorials, kids learn more than just how to draw animals. They also develop:
- Better pencil control
- Shape recognition
- Understanding of proportion
- Line confidence
- Creative decision-making
These are essential skills that will support their growth as artists in any medium.
3. A Wide Variety of Animals
Kids love variety, and this book delivers. You’ll find all kinds of creatures, including:
- Forest animals
- Farm animals
- Aquatic animals
- Exotic animals and more
This diversity keeps drawing time exciting and helps broaden kids' knowledge and imagination.
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
4. Perfect for Independent or Guided Learning
Whether your child wants to draw solo or needs a bit of support, the instructions are designed to work well both ways. It’s ideal for at-home learning, classrooms, after-school programs, or rainy-day activities.
5. Encourages Creativity and Customization
Even though each animal has step-by-step instructions, kids are encouraged to add their own flair. Maybe your lion has heart-shaped eyes or your turtle wears glasses! These playful personal touches make the experience more fun and spark creative thinking.
6. Screen-Free Entertainment That Parents Love
In a world full of screens, sometimes you just want an activity that gets your child creating with their hands. This drawing book is a great way to entertain while also teaching a valuable skill.
7. Builds Confidence Through Small Wins
Every time a child completes a drawing, it boosts their confidence. With 50 characters to draw, this book is full of opportunities to feel proud and accomplished.
8. Makes a Wonderful Gift
Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, holiday, or just want a thoughtful surprise for a young artist, How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals is a gift that delivers joy, creativity, and hours of artistic fun.
Try the Video, Then Grab the Book
If you haven’t already, scroll up and watch the free video drawing tutorial featuring our cartoon lion. Once you’ve drawn along with the video and seen how fun and easy it is, you’ll be excited to discover even more characters in the book.
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals is waiting to bring smiles, laughter, and creativity to your child’s next drawing adventure!
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Draw it 3 ways
Every FirstArtBooks theme comes in three formats. Trace it, draw it step by step, or copy it square by square: the more ways kids draw a character, the better they know it.
- How to Draw
Draw it step by stepYou’re on this pageSee all How to Draw books - Trace Then ColorTrace Then Color booksTrace it, then color itNo free page of this one yet. See the Trace Then Color books (ages 3+)
- Draw by GridDraw by Grid booksCopy it square by squareNo free page of this one yet. See the Draw by Grid books (ages 7+)
Fun facts about the real lion
- Lions are the only big cats that live in family groups, called prides.
- A lion's roar can be heard from miles away.
- Lions rest for most of the day and hunt mostly at dawn, dusk or night.
Draw your lion, then add one of these facts in a speech bubble or on the back of the page.
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw the place this animal lives: a jungle, a farm, a pond or a house.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
Today was the day it finally…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your cartoon lion a name. Where does it live, and what does it love to do? Write two or three sentences.
Print a draw-and-write sheet: a box for the drawing and lines for the story. Primary lines (K–2) · Regular lines (grades 2–5)
Want to make it a whole story? Try the comic story starter or fold a mini-book in Story Studio.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- The head is too small for a cartoon look.
- Cartoon animals are cute because their heads are big. Make the head almost as big as the body.
- The eyes are too far apart.
- Keep the eyes close together near the middle of the face. Leave about one eye’s width between them.
- The legs don’t line up with the body.
- Draw the legs straight down from the bottom of the body, so the animal looks like it’s standing on the ground.
- Pressing hard from the very first step.
- Use light, sketchy lines first. You can erase them easily and go over the lines you keep at the end.
More in 10 common drawing mistakes kids make.
Talk about it
For the grown-up: ask one or two of these while your child draws. There are no wrong answers.
- Where does this animal live, and what does it eat?
- If this animal could talk, what would its voice sound like?
- What colors will you use, and why?
- What name fits this character?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this drawing lesson
What age is this cartoon lion drawing lesson for?
Ages 5 and up (about grades K to 2). Younger kids can follow along with a grown-up, one step at a time.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes, including time to pause the video. Kids who add their own details or a background often keep going longer.
What supplies do you need?
Pencil and eraser; paper, or the printed page; crayons, markers or colored pencils.
What size does it print?
Nothing needs printing: draw along on any paper, Letter or A4.
Can kids draw the cartoon lion without printing the page?
Yes. Draw on any paper and copy one step at a time from the screen, or pause the video after each step.
For teachers: grade, timing and standards
Grades K–2, about 15 minutes. Step-by-step drawing, easy level. The video does the teaching: press play and let students draw along.
National Core Arts Standards (visual arts)
- VA:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work: students build drawing skills by following a sequence of steps.
- VA:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work: students add their own details, expressions and color to finish the character.
See every lesson by standard, plus the math in grid drawing, on the arts standards map.
Copies: print as many as your class needs. More in the teacher resources, the Animals hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Animal Drawing Pack
12 printable animal pages to draw, trace and color, sent with your welcome email. After that, Kevin’s newsletter brings new free pages and book news.
Take the idea into a book
Want more characters to draw, trace or color? Explore these related books and see which approach fits your next creative session.

How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 55 free animal drawing lessons and pages →
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