How to Draw a Unicorn (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this unicorn 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: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff.
- 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
Free Tutorial: How to Draw A Unicorn
If you're anything like me, unicorns never go out of style. They’re magical, fun to draw, and loved by kids of all ages. That’s why I’m excited to share my newest video drawing tutorial—How to Draw A Unicorn—featuring one of the sweet characters straight from my book How to Draw: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff.
In the video, I’ll show you how to draw a whimsical cartoon unicorn with a flowing purple mane and tail. Like all the characters in the book, this unicorn is drawn in 6 easy-to-follow steps, so even younger artists can follow along and feel proud of their finished drawing.
If your kids have ever begged you to teach them how to draw a unicorn, this video is a great place to start.
About the Book: How to Draw—Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff
This unicorn is one of 50 characters included in How to Draw: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff, a drawing book that’s packed with magical creatures and charming designs. If your child loves fantasy and all things sparkly and cute, this is one of my most popular books for a reason.
The “How to Draw” series is all about breaking things down step by step. Every character in the book is shown in six clear drawing steps. Your child just follows along and adds a little bit at a time until the full picture comes together.
Besides unicorns, the book includes a wide variety of characters to draw, like:
- Mermaids
- Cute animals
- Smiling Food
- Happy Desserts
- Cheerful Flowers …and tons more “other cute stuff.”
It’s perfect for creative kids who love making up their own stories, drawing their favorite characters, or filling their sketchbooks with fun doodles.
Why Unicorns Are Always a Favorite
There’s a reason kids always want to learn how to draw a unicorn. Unicorns combine everything kids love—magic, color, animals, and fantasy. They're the ultimate cute creature, and they leave a lot of room for creativity. Want a rainbow mane? Go for it. Golden hooves? Sure. Wings, sparkles, stars, hearts? Add them all.
In the video tutorial, the unicorn has a soft, friendly face and a pastel purple mane and tail. It’s an easy design that’s fun to draw but still full of personality. Even kids who are just getting into drawing will be able to follow along with each step.
What I love most about unicorns is how much personality kids bring to them. They’ll often add their own flair to the horn, eyes, colors, or background. That’s exactly what these tutorials and books are designed for: sparking creativity while building confidence.
Video Tutorial:
About the “How to Draw” Series
How to Draw: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff is part of a much bigger collection of drawing books I’ve created over the years. The whole series is designed for kids, especially those who want to learn to draw but don’t know where to start.
Each book features 50 original characters, all drawn in six simple steps. They’re all hand-drawn by me, and every design is created with young artists in mind. That means big shapes, friendly faces, and designs that kids want to draw.
Other books in the series include cartoon monsters, animals, food with faces, and more. They’re all structured the same way so kids can follow along at their own pace and feel successful at every step.
But this one—Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff—is definitely one of the most magical in the bunch.
Why This Book Is a Hit with Creative Kids
Here are a few reasons why kids (and parents) love this book:
- Themed Variety: From mermaids and unicorns to smiling cupcakes and potted plants, the variety keeps kids coming back for more.
- Easy-to-Follow Steps: Each drawing only takes 6 steps, and the layout is simple and clutter-free.
- Encourages Imagination: Once kids learn how to draw a unicorn, they start thinking about where that unicorn lives, what friends it has, and what happens next.
- Screen-Free Fun: It’s a quiet, focused activity that gives kids a break from screens while still feeling engaging.
- Confidence Boosting: Even beginners feel accomplished when they complete a drawing on their own.
Ready to Learn How to Draw A Unicorn?
If your child has ever asked you how to draw a unicorn, this tutorial and book are a perfect pair. The video gives them a chance to follow along in real time, and the book is there for when they’re ready to keep going.
Drawing isn’t just about making something look “good”—it’s about trying something new, making it your own, and having fun in the process. This unicorn (with her purple mane and tail) is just the start. Once your kids learn how to draw one unicorn, they'll be eager to fill their pages with all kinds of magical creatures.
So sharpen those pencils and get ready—this is going to be a fun one!
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 Then Color a Unicorn JellyfishA close cousin · Ages 3+See all Trace Then Color books - Draw by Grid
How to Draw a Giraffe with a Unicorn HornA close cousin · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a starry night sky.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
It made a wish on a shooting star, and…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your unicorn 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 horn or tail is too small.
- The horn and the tail are the magic part, so make them big and bold.
- The hair or mane is one solid blob.
- Draw it in a few wavy sections, like ribbons, instead of one big shape.
- It looks plain once it’s colored.
- Add sparkles, stars or a rainbow pattern in the mane, tail or wings.
- 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.
- What magic power does this character have?
- Where would you go if you could ride on its back for a day?
- Which part are you proudest of?
- What colors will you use, and why?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this drawing lesson
What age is this unicorn 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 unicorn 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 Unicorns & Mermaids hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Unicorns, Mermaids and Mashups Pack
12 printable unicorn, mermaid and mashup 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: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Unicorn Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 7 free unicorn and mermaid drawing lessons and pages →
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