How to Draw A Plesiosaur: Step-by-Step Grid Drawing Fun for Kids
If you’ve been searching for a fun and effective way to teach your child how to draw a plesiosaur, you’re in the right place. This post introduces a free activity page from the book Draw by Grid: Cartoon Dinosaurs, a drawing guide designed specifically for kids. With 50 prehistoric cartoon creatures to draw, this book brings the world of dinosaurs to life in a way that’s accessible, creative, and confidence-boosting. And yes, that includes our long-necked, flippered friend—the plesiosaur.
Whether your child is a dinosaur fanatic or just starting out with pencil and paper, learning how to draw a plesiosaur using the grid method is a game-changing experience. Not only does it make complex shapes manageable, but it also introduces young artists to one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve their drawing skills.
What Is the Grid Drawing Method?
Before diving into the book and our freebie, let’s talk about the drawing method behind it all. The grid method is a time-tested technique used by artists of all ages and skill levels. It works like this:
- A picture is broken down into smaller, numbered squares (grids).
- You then replicate what you see in each square onto a blank grid.
- By focusing on one section at a time, complex images—like a cartoon plesiosaur—become easier to draw.
This method helps children:
- Improve their observation skills
- Break down complicated forms into simpler parts
- Practice hand-eye coordination
- Gain confidence as they see their progress square by square
The result? A complete and accurate drawing that looks amazing—and feels like a big win.
Featuring Draw by Grid: Cartoon Dinosaurs
Draw by Grid: Cartoon Dinosaurs is a beginner-friendly drawing book designed for kids aged 4–12, though older artists and even adults can enjoy it too. Inside, you’ll find 50 original dinosaur-themed cartoon characters that are both imaginative and fun to draw.
From triceratops with sunglasses to stegosauruses doing silly poses, each drawing starts as a grid-based challenge. Among these prehistoric pals is the plesiosaur—one of the most unique and intriguing marine reptiles in the dinosaur world.
Our free activity page gives you a sneak peek at exactly how to draw a plesiosaur using this technique. It includes:
- A fully gridded reference image
- A blank grid to copy your drawing onto
- Clear, kid-friendly lines that are fun to trace and personalize
This format makes it easier than ever to practice how to draw a plesiosaur in a relaxed and low-pressure way.
Why Drawing Dinosaurs is So Popular with Kids
Dinosaurs never go out of style, especially when it comes to kids. There’s something irresistible about their giant size, strange shapes, and mysterious extinction. They fuel curiosity and creativity, which makes them perfect subjects for drawing.
Learning how to draw a plesiosaur in particular can be extra fun because of its distinct shape—long neck, four flippers, and streamlined body. It’s different from your average land dinosaur and gives kids an opportunity to explore underwater settings too.
Adding a plesiosaur to your child’s sketchbook expands their world of dinosaur art and invites them to imagine prehistoric oceans filled with creatures from the past.
Benefits of the Draw by Grid Series
The Draw by Grid series isn’t just about dinosaurs—it covers a range of fun topics like cute cartoon monsters, animals, unicorns, and even mutant creatures. Each book offers 50 unique grid drawing challenges designed to:
- Strengthen fine motor skills
- Encourage patience and focus
- Build drawing confidence one square at a time
- Offer screen-free, creative entertainment
With the grid method as its foundation, the series is a gentle and effective introduction to drawing that builds real artistic skills while keeping things fun.
What Makes Draw by Grid: Cartoon Dinosaurs Stand Out
So why choose this particular book?
- Original Characters: Every dinosaur in this book is a one-of-a-kind cartoon design—playful, funny, and imaginative.
- Clear Layout: Each drawing challenge has its own page with easy-to-read grids, making it ideal for solo or guided learning.
- Creative Flexibility: While the grid helps with structure, kids are always encouraged to add their own flair—whether that means giving the plesiosaur a hat or drawing seaweed in the background.
- Age-Appropriate: The lines are bold, the proportions are forgiving, and the characters are designed with young learners in mind.
By the time a child finishes their drawing of a plesiosaur, they’ll have a piece of art they can feel truly proud of.
How to Get Started
Ready to teach your child how to draw a plesiosaur? Here’s how to begin:
- Download and print the free grid activity page from Draw by Grid: Cartoon Dinosaurs.
- Grab a pencil and eraser (optional: colored pencils or markers).
- Start at square 1 and work through the image, one grid at a time.
- Celebrate your finished drawing and maybe even post it on the fridge or frame it!
Once your child masters this drawing, there are 49 more waiting inside the book to explore. Each one builds on the same core skills while introducing new shapes, poses, and creative possibilities.
Free Activity Pages (save and print):
Encouraging Kids to Stick With It
One of the biggest hurdles for young artists is giving up when a drawing doesn’t turn out the way they hoped. That’s where the grid method really shines—it creates bite-sized wins that help keep motivation high.
Even kids who say they “can’t draw” often surprise themselves with how well their grid drawings turn out. It’s not magic, it’s just a method that makes sense.
Drawing something as cool as a plesiosaur can also be a gateway to new interests, like marine reptiles, prehistoric ecosystems, or underwater scene design. Who knows? Today’s drawing challenge might lead to tomorrow’s science project.
Final Thoughts: Learn How to Draw A Plesiosaur with Confidence
Learning how to draw a plesiosaur might sound like a tough challenge, but the right tools can make all the difference. That’s exactly what the Draw by Grid method offers—a simple, proven way to help young artists succeed.
Whether your child is just beginning their drawing journey or already loves sketching, this book is a great addition to their creative toolkit. The free activity page lets you try it out, and the full book provides hours of engaging, skill-building fun.
So go ahead—download the free page, grab your pencils, and start drawing! Your plesiosaur masterpiece is only a few squares away.
And if your child enjoys this experience, the rest of the Draw by Grid series is waiting to be discovered. From cute animals to crazy creatures, it’s a whole universe of drawing fun—one square at a time.
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Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 70 (and still counting) children’s drawing books available here on FirstArtBooks.com. Kevin has also authored numerous kid-friendly comic book series, including “Dylan McVillain: A Super Villain with the Best Intentions” and “The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain,” along with the Children’s Picture Book series “Alexis and the T-Rexes.”
