How to Draw a Cute Monkey (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this cute monkey 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 Animals.
- 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
Watch the Video below and learn to draw a monkey!
Make Drawing Fun and Easy with How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals!
Does your child love to draw? Do they dream of sketching cute and funny animals but don’t know where to start? With How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals, they’ll be creating their own delightful characters in no time!
This 106-page step-by-step drawing book is designed especially for kids, breaking down each animal into just six simple steps. From playful pandas to roaring lions, gentle elephants to silly hippos, every page is packed with charming and unique animal designs that are fun and easy to recreate. Plus, each character gets its own dedicated drawing space, making it easy for young artists to practice their skills right inside the book!
Why Kids Will Love This Book
Drawing should be fun, not frustrating! That’s why this book is designed to make the process as simple and enjoyable as possible. Here are just a few reasons why your little artist will love it:
- Step-by-Step Simplicity: Every animal is broken down into six easy steps, helping kids gain confidence with every new drawing.
- Super Cute and Unique Designs: These aren’t your average animals—you won’t find these charming and funny characters anywhere else!
- Encourages Creativity: Drawing isn’t just about following steps. Kids can personalize their animals, add fun backgrounds, and even make up their own stories!
- Builds Artistic Confidence: With each completed drawing, children will feel a sense of achievement, boosting their confidence and inspiring them to keep creating.
- Perfect for Family Fun: Whether drawing solo or with siblings, friends, or parents, this book provides hours of entertainment for everyone.
The Perfect Activity for Kids Ages 5 and Up
Whether your child is just starting their artistic journey or already loves doodling, this book is perfect for kids ages five and up. It’s a great way to nurture creativity, improve fine motor skills, and provide a screen-free activity that keeps them engaged.
They’ll learn to draw all their favorite animals, including lions, rhinos, bears, turtles, tigers, frogs, sea creatures, alligators, dogs, cats, and so much more! Each page brings a new challenge, a new adorable character, and a new opportunity to create something amazing.
Get Ready to Watch Their Confidence Soar!
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a child’s face light up when they finish a drawing they’re proud of. How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals is designed to make that happen again and again! Whether they’re practicing on a rainy afternoon, sharing their sketches with family, or creating an entire zoo of cartoon animals, this book is the perfect creative companion.
So grab some pencils and let the fun begin—your child’s next masterpiece is just a few steps away!
Upcoming Events:
Verde Valley Comic Expo Shape Drawing Challenge With Kevin Coulston March, 29th 2025 11:00am + Exhibit Hall All Day Cottonwood Recreation Center 150 S. 6th St Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phoenix Fan Fusion Shape Drawing Challenge With Kevin Coulston June, 7th 2025 12:00pm + Exhibit Hall All Weekend Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix, AZ
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 ColorTrace Then Color booksTrace it, then color itNo free page of this one yet. See the Trace Then Color books (ages 3+)
- Draw by GridDraw by Grid booksCopy it square by squareNo free page of this one yet. See the Draw by Grid books (ages 7+)
Fun facts about the real monkey
- Many monkeys use their tails to help them balance in trees.
- Monkeys groom each other to stay clean and to be friends.
- Monkeys talk to each other with calls, faces and body movements.
Draw your monkey, 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 the place this animal lives: a jungle, a farm, a pond or a house.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
Today was the day it finally…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your cute monkey 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 head is too small for a cartoon look.
- Cartoon animals are cute because their heads are big. Make the head almost as big as the body.
- The eyes are too far apart.
- Keep the eyes close together near the middle of the face. Leave about one eye’s width between them.
- The legs don’t line up with the body.
- Draw the legs straight down from the bottom of the body, so the animal looks like it’s standing on the ground.
- 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.
- Where does this animal live, and what does it eat?
- If this animal could talk, what would its voice sound like?
- 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 cute monkey 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 cute monkey 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 Animals hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Animal Drawing Pack
12 printable animal 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: Cute Cartoon Animals
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Trace Then Color: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 55 free animal drawing lessons and pages →
Another idea to try
Free activitiesTrace Then Color: A Uni-Monkey (Free Activity Page)
Bring a touch of magic to your child’s creative time with Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals! This adorable tracing and coloring book features 50 cute…
Free activitiesNew Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw a Baby Elephant in 5 Minutes
How to Draw a Baby Elephant – Free Step-by-Step Video Tutorial If you love drawing cute animals, today’s post is going to make you smile. I’m excited…
Free activitiesVideo Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw A Baby Flamingo
How to Draw A Baby Flamingo – Video Tutorial + Tracing Fun from Trace Then Color: Baby Animals If you're looking for an easy and fun way to teach…