How to Draw an Ankylosaurus (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this ankylosaurus step by step with a pencil and eraser. It takes about 18 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: Cartoon Dinosaurs.
- Step-by-step drawing
- Ages 5+
- Grades K–2
- Easy
- About 18 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
Video: Learn How to Draw an Ankylosaurus!
If you've ever wondered how to draw an Ankylosaurus in a fun, cartoon style, you're in luck! We’re sharing a brand-new, step-by-step video tutorial that walks you through the process from start to finish. This cheerful, armor-covered dinosaur is a fan favorite, and now you can learn exactly how to bring it to life on paper.
This free video tutorial is based on a character straight from our book How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs, and it’s the perfect introduction for anyone interested in drawing dinosaurs with a lighthearted twist. Whether your child is just getting started or already enjoys sketching, they’ll love creating this friendly Ankylosaurus—complete with its trademark tail club and bony plates.
How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs
What You’ll Learn in the Video: How to Draw an Ankylosaurus
Our tutorial makes it easy to follow along with simple shapes and step-by-step instructions. The video covers:
- Basic shapes to start your Ankylosaurus drawing
- Adding facial features for a cartoon look
- Drawing the dinosaur’s armored body and tail
- How to finish your drawing with clean lines
It’s a fun and rewarding way to learn how to draw an Ankylosaurus while exploring your creativity. Even beginners can complete the full drawing with just a pencil, paper, and about 10 minutes of time.
Why Cartoon Dinosaurs Make Drawing Fun
Real dinosaurs are fascinating—but when you add some cartoon charm, they become even more fun to draw. That’s exactly what How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs is all about. This book features 50 original cartoon dinosaurs, each with their own unique poses, expressions, and prehistoric personality.
If your child is into dinosaurs, cartoons, or both, this book offers the best of both worlds. It's part of our How to Draw series of beginner-friendly drawing books designed to help kids build skills while having a blast.
About the Book: How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs
How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs includes:
- 50 step-by-step drawing guides
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- A wide range of dinosaur types and expressions
- Characters with movement, emotion, and personality
This book is a fun way to practice drawing while keeping kids entertained and engaged. From toothy Tyrannosaurus rexes to soaring Pterodactyls, and yes—even the lovable Ankylosaurus—there’s a dinosaur here for everyone.
No prior drawing experience is needed. Each character starts with a few basic shapes and builds up to a full cartoon drawing in a way that’s simple and confidence-boosting.
Benefits of Learning How to Draw an Ankylosaurus
When kids learn how to draw an Ankylosaurus, they’re doing more than just putting lines on paper. They're developing key skills like:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Fine motor control
- Observation skills
- Pattern recognition
- Creative thinking
The act of following step-by-step instructions also supports cognitive development. Plus, the satisfaction of completing a drawing on their own builds confidence and encourages further creativity.
And since the Ankylosaurus is a dinosaur with unique features—armor, tail club, spikes—it’s especially fun and educational to draw.
What Makes the How to Draw Series Unique?
Our How to Draw books are designed to make drawing accessible for kids of all ages. Here’s what makes the series stand out:
- Clear, step-by-step instructions for every drawing
- Fun and playful characters across a variety of themes
- Skill-building activities that grow with your child
- Beginner-friendly approach with no prior experience needed
- 100+ titles across dozens of themes—more added all the time
Each book in the series is carefully crafted to guide young artists as they improve their drawing skills. The goal is to make drawing fun, not frustrating.
Some of the other themes in the How to Draw series include:
- Cute Cartoon Animals
- Silly Faces
- Robots and Aliens
- Sea Creatures
- Food Monsters
- Unicorns and Princesses
And of course, plenty of dinosaurs!
Learning at Your Own Pace
One of the best things about learning how to draw an Ankylosaurus from a book or video tutorial is the flexibility it provides. Kids can pause, rewind, and revisit any step they want until they feel confident. That’s a huge benefit compared to live classes or fast-paced online content.
Plus, once they master how to draw an Ankylosaurus, they can use those same skills to create their own unique dinosaurs—changing facial expressions, poses, or even mashing up features from different creatures.
Drawing Together
While our video and books are perfect for solo learning, they’re also great for family time, group projects, or art class fun. Drawing a cartoon Ankylosaurus together can turn into a collaborative activity where everyone adds their own flair.
Try it out:
- Watch the video tutorial as a group
- Pause at each step to let everyone catch up
- Compare drawings at the end and celebrate each one
Every drawing will turn out a little different—and that’s the best part.
Start with the Video, Then Dive into the Book
The free tutorial on how to draw an Ankylosaurus is a great place to start. Once kids get a feel for the process and complete their first drawing, the natural next step is to explore the full book How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs.
With 49 more characters to discover, there’s no shortage of prehistoric fun waiting in the pages.
And because it’s part of a larger series, once your child finishes drawing dinosaurs, they can continue learning with other themed books that match their interests.
Ready to Learn How to Draw an Ankylosaurus?
Watch the video tutorial above, follow along, and try it for yourself. It’s a fun and engaging way to start drawing right now. Once you’re done, you can keep the momentum going with How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs and the entire How to Draw series.
So grab your pencil and paper—it’s time to learn how to draw an Ankylosaurus!
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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
Parasaurolophus Coloring PageSame theme · Ages 3+See all Trace Then Color books - Draw by Grid
How to Draw a Plesiosaur by GridSame theme · Ages 7+See all Draw by Grid books
Say it like a paleontologist
Ankylosaurus say an-KY-luh-SORE-us
The name means “fused lizard.” It comes from Greek “ankylos” (stiff or fused) and “sauros” (lizard), for the bony armor joined across its back.
Write the name under your drawing, and the meaning underneath it. More dinosaurs on the dinosaur drawing page.
Fun facts about the real ankylosaurus
- Ankylosaurus was covered in bony plates, like a suit of armor.
- It had a heavy club on the end of its tail to protect itself.
- Ankylosaurus was a plant eater that lived at the same time as T. rex.
Draw your ankylosaurus, 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 volcano puffing smoke and a few palm trees.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The ground started to shake, and then…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your ankylosaurus 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 neck and tail come out too short.
- Dinosaurs are long. Draw the body as a big oval first, then stretch the neck and tail well past it before adding the head.
- The legs look like sticks.
- Make dinosaur legs thick, like tree trunks, and give the feet a flat bottom so it can stand.
- The spikes or plates are all different sizes.
- Start with the biggest in the middle of the back and make them smaller toward the head and tail.
- 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.
- Would your dinosaur eat plants or meat? How can you tell from its teeth?
- Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago. How do scientists know what they looked like?
- What colors will you use, and why?
- What name fits this character?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this drawing lesson
What age is this ankylosaurus 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 18 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 ankylosaurus 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 18 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 Dinosaur Drawing Pack
12 printable dinosaur 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: Cartoon Dinosaurs
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 18 free dinosaur drawing lessons and pages →
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