How to Draw a Silly Alien with a Grid (Free Printable)
Draw this silly alien one square at a time: copy each square of the example into the same square of the blank grid. It’s a free printable for ages 5 and up that takes about 30 minutes. The page comes from Kevin Coulston’s book Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens.

- Grid drawing
- Ages 5+
- Grades K–5
- Intermediate
- About 30 min
You’ll need
- Both printed pages (the character and the blank grid)
- Pencil and eraser
- Ruler (optional)
You’ll practice
- Looking closely
- Copying one square at a time
- Proportion and spacing
Learn to Draw A Silly Alien with the Grid Drawing Method!
If your child loves aliens, outer space, and drawing, then you're in for a treat! Today, I'm offering a free activity page straight out of my book, Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens. This fun and engaging activity gives young artists the chance to draw a goofy alien using the grid method, a technique that makes even the wackiest designs easy to recreate. Whether your child is just getting started with drawing or already loves to doodle, this freebie is a fantastic way to practice their skills while having a blast. Simply print it out, grab a pencil, and let the creativity flow!
Discover the Fun of Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens
Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens is a 106-page drawing book designed to help kids develop their artistic skills while having tons of fun. This book is packed with 50 unique and totally goofy alien characters, all designed to be drawn using the simple and effective grid method. With each page, kids will improve their ability to break down complex images into manageable steps, boosting both their confidence and creativity.
The grid drawing method has been used by artists for centuries to help them capture accurate proportions and details. By following the step-by-step guides in this book, kids can create their very own silly extraterrestrial creatures with ease. From bug-eyed Martians to one-eyed space blobs, the aliens in this book are designed to spark the imagination and encourage creativity.
Why Kids Love Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens
1. Easy-to-Follow Instructions
Each alien is broken down into a grid, making it simple for kids to replicate the drawing piece by piece. This technique helps young artists develop patience, focus, and attention to detail.
2. 50 Unique and Hilarious Aliens
No two aliens are alike! With a huge variety of quirky designs, kids can draw everything from tentacled space creatures to robots from another galaxy. The fun, cartoon-style illustrations make learning to draw exciting and engaging.
3. Boosts Artistic Confidence
Many children get frustrated when they feel like they can't draw something correctly. The grid method makes complex drawings more approachable, giving kids a sense of accomplishment as they see their finished alien come to life on the page.
4. Encourages Creativity and Storytelling
Each alien has its own unique personality, and kids can use their imaginations to come up with names, backstories, and entire alien worlds. This book isn't just about drawing—it's about storytelling, creativity, and world-building!
5. A Great Screen-Free Activity
In a world filled with screens and digital distractions, Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens provides a hands-on, engaging activity that keeps kids entertained while developing important skills. Whether at home, on a road trip, or in a classroom, this book is a great way to encourage artistic expression.
Get "Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens" Today
The Benefits of Grid Drawing for Kids
Grid drawing isn't just a fun way to create silly aliens—it's also an excellent tool for developing fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities. Here's why this method is so effective:
- Teaches Proportions and Accuracy: The grid helps kids understand how to break down an image into smaller parts, making it easier to replicate the shapes and details accurately.
- Builds Patience and Focus: Following the step-by-step process of grid drawing encourages kids to slow down and pay attention to details, improving their concentration.
- Encourages Hand-Eye Coordination: By copying shapes from one grid to another, kids refine their motor skills and coordination, which can benefit other areas of learning.
- Fosters a Love for Drawing: When kids see their drawings improve with each page, they gain confidence and are more likely to continue exploring their artistic abilities.
Free Activity Pages (save and print):


Perfect for Home, School, and Beyond
Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens is a fantastic addition to any child's art collection. It's perfect for:
- At-Home Art Time: Whether your child loves to draw in their free time or needs an engaging activity for a rainy day, this book is a great go-to.
- Classroom Use: Teachers can incorporate this book into art lessons to help students improve their drawing skills in a structured and enjoyable way.
- Road Trips and Travel: Long car rides or plane trips can be made more fun with a drawing book that keeps kids engaged for hours.
- Birthday Gifts and Holidays: This book makes a wonderful gift for any young artist who loves silly creatures and outer space adventures.
Grab Your Free Activity Page!
If you want to see how fun and simple grid drawing can be, download the free Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens activity page and give it a try! It's a great way to introduce your child to this exciting drawing method while letting them create their very own alien character. Once they see how easy and fun it is, they'll want to keep going with all 50 aliens in the full book!
So, what are you waiting for? Get your free activity page, grab a pencil, and start drawing! And if your child loves it (which I'm sure they will), be sure to pick up a copy of Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens for even more artistic adventures!
Upcoming Events:
Verde Valley Comic Expo Shape Drawing Challenge With Kevin Coulston March, 29th 2025 11:00am + Exhibit Hall All Day Cottonwood Recreation Center 150 S. 6th St Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phoenix Fan Fusion Shape Drawing Challenge With Kevin Coulston June, 7th 2025 12:00pm + Exhibit Hall All Weekend Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix, AZ
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
How to Draw a Silly AlienThe same character · Ages 5+See all How to Draw books - Trace Then Color
Trace Then Color an Alien CyborgSame theme · Ages 3+See all Trace Then Color books - Draw by Grid
Copy it square by squareYou’re on this pageSee all Draw by Grid books
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a space station window full of stars.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
Mission control called and said…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your silly alien a name and a job. What makes it happy, and what makes it grumpy? 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 and body are the same size.
- Many cartoon aliens have a big head and a small body. Make the head bigger than you think.
- The extra eyes are crowded.
- Space the eyes evenly across the face, and make them all the same size, or make one huge on purpose.
- The antennae look like hair.
- Give each antenna a thin stalk and a round ball on top.
- Losing track of which square you’re on.
- Number the rows and columns on both grids, and put a finger on the example square while you draw.
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.
- Which planet is this alien from, and what is the weather like there?
- What would you show an alien first if it visited Earth?
- What shapes can you find in your drawing?
- What would you change if you drew it again tomorrow?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this grid drawing
What age is this silly alien grid drawing for?
Ages 5 and up (about grades K to 5). Kids new to grids can start with just the head, then come back for the rest.
How long does it take?
About 30 minutes. Kids who add their own details or a background often keep going longer.
What supplies do you need?
Both printed pages (the character and the blank grid); pencil and eraser; ruler (optional).
What size does it print?
US Letter (8.5 by 11 inches). Use Print this page or Download PDF above. On A4 paper, choose “Fit to page” in the print settings.
How does grid drawing work?
Copy what you see in one square of the example onto the same square of the blank grid, then move to the next square. Square by square, the whole drawing comes out the right shape.
For teachers: grade, timing and standards
Grades K–5, about 30 minutes. Grid drawing, intermediate level.
National Core Arts Standards (visual arts)
- VA:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work: students observe a drawing closely, square by square.
- VA:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work: students use the grid method to plan a drawing.
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 Aliens & Space hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Alien and Space Drawing Pack
9 printable alien and space 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.

Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Silly Faces
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Alien Cyborgs
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 11 free alien drawing lessons and pages →
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