How to Draw An Alligator – One Step at a Time

There’s something kind of magical about watching a blank page slowly turn into a character with personality. A few simple lines become a face, then a whole creature—sometimes fierce, sometimes silly, but always full of life. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw an alligator (or better yet, teach your kids how), my book How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals is a great place to start.

And today, I’m excited to share a freebie page right out of the book: a step-by-step drawing guide that shows how to draw an alligator in just six simple steps. This particular alligator isn’t scary—he’s cute, a little goofy, and full of charm, just like every other animal in the book.

But before we dive into the free page, let’s talk about what makes this book (and the entire “How to Draw” series) so great for beginners, kids, and anyone looking to grow their drawing confidence.

How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals

Drawing Cute Animals in Six Easy Steps

When I created How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals, I wanted to take the fear out of the blank page. So I broke down each drawing into six simple, easy-to-follow steps. Each page focuses on one animal. You start with a few basic shapes, then build on those lines until—voilà!—you’ve got a finished drawing.

Whether it’s a panda, a fox, a shark, or an alligator, the formula is always the same. Step one introduces the basic shapes. Step two adds more form. By step six, you’ve drawn a complete, expressive animal character that feels like something out of an animated cartoon.

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years as a cartoonist is that practice builds confidence. Drawing the same way again and again might feel repetitive, but that’s where the magic happens. And with 50 different animals to choose from, there’s more than enough variety to keep it fun.

How to Draw an Alligator: Drawing Cute Animals in Six Easy Steps

Why Kids Love Learning How to Draw An Alligator

Out of all the animals in the book, the alligator is one of my personal favorites. There’s just something about the long snout, the big toothy smile, and that squat, chunky shape that’s fun to exaggerate in a cartoon style.

Kids especially love drawing creatures that feel a little wild, and the alligator hits that sweet spot between danger and cuteness. In this book, I’ve taken that scaly, reptilian beast and made him friendly and fun—no sharp fangs or spooky eyes here. Just a lovable gator who’s ready for an adventure (or maybe a swim in a cartoon swamp).

How to draw an alligator doesn’t have to be complicated. By following a structured step-by-step method, kids build confidence not only in their drawing skills but in their ability to finish something they start.

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What’s Inside the Book

How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals features 50 animals, each drawn in the same 6-step format. The animals are a mix of land, sea, and sky creatures, from classics like cats and dogs to more unexpected ones like a unicorn, and—you guessed it—alligators.

I hand-draw every character myself. There’s no AI or clip art here. Every line, every expression, every detail is something I personally crafted with kids in mind. I keep the shapes simple but expressive, with just enough detail to keep things interesting without overwhelming young artists.

The book is printed in large, clear format so it’s easy to follow along. There’s one animal per page, and every drawing has plenty of space to work beside it so kids can draw directly on the page or in their own sketchbook.

How to Draw an Alligator: What’s Inside the Book

How to Draw An Alligator – Free Page Preview

As promised, here’s a special preview straight from the book—a free “How to Draw an Alligator” guide that walks you through the drawing in six easy steps. This page is a great way to see the teaching method in action. It's also perfect for printing at home or using in a classroom setting.

This little guy has a wide smile, soft curves, and a fun cartoon look that makes him a hit with young artists. It’s a great confidence-booster project. Even kids who’ve never drawn before will be amazed when their alligator turns out looking like a real character. It’s a great place to start if you’re new to drawing cute animals or just want to dip your toe into what the full book offers.

Free Activity Page (save and print):

How to Draw an Alligator: free printable step-by-step drawing page

Why Step-by-Step Drawing Builds Confidence

The best thing about step-by-step drawing is that it breaks down what seems impossible into something manageable. Kids often look at a finished drawing and say, “I could never do that.” But when they follow the steps and suddenly draw an alligator they’re proud of, that mindset shifts. They go from “I can’t draw” to “Look what I made!”

That change isn’t just about drawing—it’s about building creative confidence. I’ve seen it happen again and again. A kid finishes one drawing and immediately wants to try the next one. They realize that drawing isn’t some magic talent you’re born with. It’s a skill you can learn, one shape at a time.

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Speaking of Drawing Confidence...

When I first started publishing drawing books, I wanted to make something that would inspire kids to create without fear. That’s why the “How to Draw” series is built around simplicity, repetition, and fun. Each book is its own toolkit for creativity, giving kids a way to practice, improve, and most importantly—enjoy the process.

The alligator in this book is just one of 50 creatures waiting to be drawn. And once your child masters how to draw an alligator, don’t be surprised if they start filling their sketchbook with sharks, cats, unicorns, penguins, and more.

70+ FirstArtBooks drawing books: robots, dinosaurs, monsters, aliens, unicorns, princesses and animals

Want More?

This book is just one of several in my “How to Draw” series. While each one focuses on a different theme—animals, monsters, robots, and beyond—the idea is the same: keep it simple, fun, and structured. I don’t want to just show kids a cool drawing—I want to show them exactly how to draw it, step by step.

And yes, every single page is drawn by me. These are my own creations, designed to make your child laugh, smile, and feel proud of what they make.

View "How to Draw" Series

Final Thoughts: How to Draw An Alligator (And Why It’s the Perfect Place to Start)

If you’re looking for a way to get your kids excited about drawing, start with something fun, friendly, and easy to follow. Learning how to draw an alligator with the method in my book is a great way to spark that excitement.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who wants to make drawing more fun for the little artists in your life, this book is designed to help. It’s a hands-on, confidence-building drawing experience—and best of all, it’s packed with adorable animal characters that kids love.

So grab a pencil, print the freebie page, and let your kids learn how to draw an alligator today. Who knows? It might just be the start of something awesome.

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