How to Draw a Weird Creature with a Grid (Free Printable)
Draw this weird creature 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: Weird Creatures.

- 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
Discover the Joy of Drawing the Unusual with Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures
As a special treat, we’re offering a free activity page straight from Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures! This sample page gives kids the chance to try out the grid drawing method for themselves, letting them bring one of the book’s wacky creatures to life. It’s the perfect way to experience the fun and creativity of grid drawing before diving into the full book. Simply download, print, and start drawing!
Looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce kids to drawing? Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures is the perfect activity book to spark their imagination while helping them build essential artistic skills. This 106-page drawing book is packed with 50 unique and silly creatures, each designed to encourage kids to explore the bizarre and fantastic. From quirky monsters to outlandish aliens, every page invites young artists to bring these wacky beings to life using a simple and structured grid-based drawing system.
What Makes Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures So Special?
This book isn’t just about drawing—it’s about building confidence and creativity. The grid system allows kids to break down complex images into smaller, manageable sections, making it easier to replicate even the weirdest of designs. Whether your child is a complete beginner or already loves to doodle, this book makes learning to draw fun, rewarding, and frustration-free.
Why Kids (and Parents!) Love This Book:
✅ Easy-to-follow grids simplify the drawing process, making it accessible for young artists. ✅ Weird and funny characters inspire laughter and imaginative storytelling. ✅ Encourages patience, focus, and fine motor skill development. ✅ Great for quiet afternoons, travel entertainment, and classroom activities. ✅ Perfect for kids ages 4 and up who love to draw, doodle, and explore their creativity! Free Grid Drawing Activity Pages (save and print):

Get "Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures"

The Benefits of Grid Drawing Books for Kids
Draw by Grid books offer more than just a fun pastime—they provide numerous educational and developmental benefits that can boost a child’s artistic ability, cognitive skills, and confidence. Here are just a few reasons why grid drawing books like Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures are a fantastic tool for young learners:
1. Builds Stronger Drawing Skills
Grid drawing helps kids learn proportion, symmetry, and spatial awareness. By breaking down an image into smaller sections, they can focus on details without feeling overwhelmed, leading to more accurate and confident drawings.
2. Develops Hand-Eye Coordination and Fine Motor Skills
As kids copy lines and shapes from one section of the grid to another, they practice precise movements that strengthen their fine motor skills. This helps with handwriting, craft activities, and overall dexterity.
3. Encourages Patience and Focus
Completing a grid drawing requires kids to pay close attention to detail and take their time to ensure accuracy. This enhances concentration and problem-solving skills, both of which are valuable for academic success.
4. Boosts Creativity and Storytelling
The weird and wonderful creatures in this book inspire kids to create their own stories about the characters they draw. Who are these strange beings? Where do they come from? What adventures do they have? Encouraging storytelling alongside drawing helps develop a child’s imagination and communication skills.
5. A Screen-Free Activity for All Occasions
In today’s digital age, finding engaging screen-free activities can be a challenge. Grid drawing books provide a wonderful way to keep kids entertained without screens. They are perfect for:
- Rainy day activities
- Road trips and travel entertainment
- Classroom and homeschooling projects
- Family bonding time
- Relaxing, independent creative fun

Let the Weirdness Begin!
If your child loves drawing, laughing, and getting creative with weird and wonderful characters, then Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures is the perfect book for them. Watch their artistic confidence grow as they transform blank pages into a gallery of strange and silly creatures.
👉 Get your copy today and let the imagination run wild!
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 Baby MonsterSame theme · Ages 5+See all How to Draw books - Trace Then Color
Trace Then Color A Weird CreatureThe same character · 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 monster school with a chalkboard.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The teacher asked a question, and…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your weird creature 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
- It looks scary when you wanted silly.
- Make the eyes big and round and the teeth small and square. Big eyes make any monster friendly.
- All the parts are crowded together.
- Draw the body big first, and leave room for arms, horns and feet around it.
- The horns or arms don’t match.
- Draw one side, then the other right away while you still remember the size.
- 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.
- Is this monster scary, silly or shy? What makes you think so?
- What does this monster like to eat for breakfast?
- What name fits this character?
- Which step was the trickiest? What did you do to get past it?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this grid drawing
What age is this weird creature 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 Monsters hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Monster Drawing Pack
12 printable monster 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: Weird Creatures
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 26 free monster drawing lessons and pages →
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