How to Draw a Koala (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this koala step by step with a pencil and eraser. It takes about 16 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 16 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
Let’s Learn How to Draw A Koala – Step by Step! Featuring “How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals”
When it comes to drawing adorable animals, koalas are always a hit. Their round ears, big nose, and sleepy expressions make them instantly lovable—and super fun to draw.
In today’s post, I’m excited to feature a character straight from my book How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals: a cute cartoon koala, which I’ll show you how to draw in a free video tutorial below. But before we get to that, let’s talk about the book it comes from and why it’s one of my favorite entries in the “How to Draw” series.
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
What is “How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals”? How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals is packed with 50 original animal characters that kids can draw using my simple 6-step method. I designed every character in this book by hand, keeping the shapes fun, the features expressive, and the steps easy to follow.
Every animal—from the tiger and the elephant to the octopus and mouse—is broken down into approachable parts. And yes, that includes our star today: the koala! If your child has ever wanted to learn how to draw a koala, this book offers the perfect jumping-off point.
This book is part of my “How to Draw” series, a growing collection of step-by-step drawing guides created for kids (and the adults who love drawing with them). Each book in the series focuses on a different theme, like monsters, robots, or fairies. But Cute Cartoon Animals remains one of the most popular, and it’s easy to see why—who doesn’t love drawing animals?
Why Drawing Animals is So Fun for Kids
Kids love animals, and drawing them lets their imaginations run wild. Whether they’re turning a giraffe into a superhero or giving a penguin a jetpack, there’s something magical about combining creativity with creatures from nature.
That’s part of what inspired me to create How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals in the first place. I wanted to give young artists a book that lets them not only learn how to draw these animals but also have fun doing it. Each drawing has its own personality, and the koala is no exception.
When you learn how to draw a koala from my book, you’ll start with simple shapes and add details step by step. Before you know it, you’ll have a complete character on the page, ready for color and customization.
How the 6-Step Drawing Process Works
I’ve tested and refined my 6-step drawing process over years of creating books, teaching classes, and working with kids. Each page in the book takes you through six clear, progressive steps, starting with the basic shape and building up to the final cute cartoon version.
This system works because it removes the pressure of “drawing it perfect” on the first try. Instead, kids can focus on the fun—drawing one simple shape at a time until the character appears.
Our koala starts with a few rounded shapes and ends up with a cuddly cartoon animal full of charm. It’s the perfect subject for young artists learning how to draw a koala for the first time.
Spotlight on the Koala
The koala in this tutorial is standing up, arms out, with an infectious smile and its iconic big round ears. Its soft shape and approachable design make it a favorite for younger artists. I made sure to keep all the features friendly and expressive, so even beginning artists can feel confident recreating it.
Learning how to draw a koala isn’t just fun—it also teaches kids about proportion, facial features, and how to bring personality into a character. And once they’ve drawn their koala, they can add their own creative touches: maybe a hat, a bowtie, or a tree branch for it to sit on.
Free Video Drawing Tutorial:
Why Kids Love the “How to Draw” Series
Every book in my How to Draw series is built with young creators in mind. These books aren’t just about following steps—they’re about building confidence and encouraging creativity.
Here’s what makes the series so popular with kids (and parents):
- Simple, Clear Instructions: Each character is broken into manageable parts.
- Fun, Original Characters: All art is hand-drawn by me, Kevin Coulston. You won’t find these characters anywhere else.
- Creative Freedom: Kids can copy the drawings or use them as inspiration to create their own characters.
- Perfect for All Skill Levels: Whether your child is just starting out or already loves to draw, these books offer a welcoming challenge.
And for today’s featured topic, if your child wants to learn how to draw a koala, this book is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to start.
Encouraging Creativity Through Drawing
As a cartoonist and illustrator who’s worked on dozens of kids’ books, I’m always thinking about how to keep the creative spark alive. Drawing is such a powerful tool for kids—it builds focus, patience, and imagination.
Books like How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals give kids the structure they need to learn while still leaving plenty of room for fun. When they sit down with a pencil and follow along with the koala tutorial, they’re not just copying lines—they’re creating something entirely their own.
That’s one of the reasons I make sure every drawing is fun, friendly, and just a little bit silly. It helps take the pressure off and keeps the joy of creating front and center.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Draw Together!
I’ve always believed that drawing should be accessible, approachable, and most importantly, fun. That’s what drives everything I do here at FirstArtBooks.com. Books like How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals are all about building skills and confidence while having a great time.
If your child wants to learn how to draw a koala, this book is a great place to start. With easy steps, original art, and plenty of personality, the koala—and all 49 other animals—offer hours of creativity and joy.
So grab a pencil, print the freebie, and let’s draw a koala together. I can’t wait to see what your young artist creates.
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 koala
- Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves and almost nothing else.
- Koalas sleep for most of the day, up to around 18 to 20 hours.
- Koalas are not bears. They are marsupials, like kangaroos, and carry their babies in a pouch.
Draw your koala, 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 a busy zoo with a ticket booth.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
Nobody noticed the gate was open, so…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your koala 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 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 drawing lesson
What age is this koala 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 16 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 koala 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 16 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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