How to Draw a Troll (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this troll 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 Monsters.

- 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
Learn to How Draw a Troll + Explore How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters!
Today’s free video drawing tutorial is all about one of the most lovable grumps in the monster world—a friendly troll! This character is featured in my book How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters, and in this video I’ll walk you through how to draw a troll with bright eyes, a big smile, purple skin, a puff of green hair, an orange nose, and those classic pointy ears. It’s a silly and fun character to draw—and one that kids absolutely love. So grab a pencil and some paper, and let’s jump into today’s drawing challenge.
If you’re new to this series, you’re in for a treat. This isn’t just a video—it’s a sneak peek into a whole book filled with expressive, funny, and easy-to-draw monsters. Let’s talk about what makes it such a hit with young artists.
The Book: How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters is one of my most popular books in the Art Books for Kids series, and for good reason. This 106-page activity book is packed with 50 different monster characters, all broken down into six easy-to-follow steps. The goal? To help young artists build confidence in their drawing skills while having a blast.
The friendly troll you’ll draw in today’s video is just one of the many silly monsters featured in the book. From cuddly cyclopes to bouncy blobs, every page introduces a new character with a unique personality. Each monster is designed to be simple enough for kids as young as five, but expressive and weird enough to keep older kids (and adults!) entertained, too.

Why Learn How to Draw A Troll?
When it comes to silly, expressive cartoon characters, trolls are one of my personal favorites to draw. They can be cranky or cheerful, scary or goofy—and in this case, we’re going full goofball. Learning how to draw a troll is a fun way for kids to practice exaggerating features like ears, noses, and hairstyles in a playful way.
In the free video tutorial, I show you how to draw a troll from scratch using basic shapes, then build it up into a colorful, friendly character with tons of personality. If your kids love cartoons, monsters, or just drawing something a little outside the box, learning how to draw a troll is a perfect creative outlet.
And once you’ve drawn this guy, don’t be surprised if your kids start designing their own trolls—with wild hair, toothy grins, and goofy eyes. That’s the whole point. How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters isn’t just a book about copying pictures—it’s about building the confidence to make your own.
What Makes This Book Special?
If your kids enjoyed learning how to draw a troll, there are 49 more silly monsters waiting inside the pages of How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters. Every character is hand-drawn by me, and each one is unique—some are fluffy, some are slimy, some are covered in warts, and some have wings or horns. It’s the kind of book that invites kids to laugh, learn, and draw without feeling pressure to get everything perfect.
Here’s what sets this book apart:
- Six-step drawing system that’s clear, simple, and fun.
- Encourages creativity by allowing kids to modify characters, add backgrounds, or invent their own versions.
- Perfect for all skill levels, especially beginners.
- Great screen-free activity that fosters focus and imagination.
Drawing monsters—and especially learning how to draw a troll—gives kids the freedom to be silly and imaginative while still following a structured creative process.
About the Art Books for Kids Series
The Art Books for Kids series is designed to help young artists grow their confidence one drawing at a time. Whether it’s robots, unicorns, dinosaurs, or in this case, monsters, every book is designed with kids in mind—clear steps, funny characters, and a big focus on creativity over perfection.
Other books in the series include:
- How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs
- How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
- How to Draw: Food Monsters
- How to Draw: Fairies, Princesses, and Other Cute Stuff
Each book is packed with original characters, all drawn by me, and all designed to help young artists learn new skills, develop their style, and have a ton of fun along the way.

Get Started: Learn How to Draw A Troll Today!
If your kids are eager to learn how to draw a troll, this free video tutorial is the perfect place to start. With its simple instructions, bright colors, and goofy character design, it’s a great introduction to the full How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters book.
Free Video Drawing Tutorial:
And if they love this troll as much as I think they will, the book has 49 more hilarious monsters waiting to be discovered.
So hit play on the video, grab your pencils, and let’s draw a troll together. Then pick up a copy of How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Monsters and continue the monster-making adventure!
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 Color
Trace & Color A Cute 4-Eyed MonsterSame theme · Ages 3+See all Trace Then Color books - Draw by Grid
Draw A Grumpy CyclopsSame theme · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a birthday party with a giant cake.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
It blew out the candles and wished…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your troll 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.
- 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.
- Is this monster scary, silly or shy? What makes you think so?
- What does this monster like to eat for breakfast?
- Which step was the trickiest? What did you do to get past it?
- What shapes can you find in your drawing?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this drawing lesson
What age is this troll 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 troll 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 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.

How to Draw: Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 26 free monster drawing lessons and pages →
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