With the advance of technology and more specifically mobile technology, drawing has taken unprecedented dimensions empowering kids to take their creative skills to the next level. There are now a wide variety of great educational apps to help kids enhance their graphic expressivity through drawing and doodling. Below is a sample of some of the best educational drawing apps for kids out there.
Skills Kids Develop through Drawing
Through drawing, kids get to develop a number of key skills (see sources at the bottom of this page for more on the importance of drawing and creative art in kids whole development) including:
- Fine Motor Skills: Enhances small muscle control and precision, important for everyday tasks like writing and tying shoes.
- Cognitive and Problem-Solving Skills: Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving through planning and executing visual ideas.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Improves the ability to synchronize hand movements with visual cues, essential for tasks requiring accuracy.
- Mathematical and Spatial Awareness: Develops understanding of shapes, proportions, and spatial relationships, foundational for math learning.
- Language Development: Expands vocabulary and narrative skills as children describe and discuss their artworks.
- Creative and Innovative Thinking: Fosters imagination and the ability to generate unique ideas and solutions.
- Emotional Intelligence: Provides a non-verbal mode of expression and emotional release, helping children understand and articulate their feelings.
- Cultural and Self-Awareness: Promotes awareness of diverse cultures and self-expression, enhancing confidence and empathy.
Drawing Apps for Kids
Here are some of our favourite drawing apps for kids:
1- Draw it
Draw it is a dynamic and fun drawing game designed to spark competition among kids. Players race against the clock to draw as many objects as they can within a set time limit. With a variety of word packs to unlock and a vast collection of objects to draw, this game keeps the excitement high. Features include simple, addictive gameplay, a collection of different word packs, numerous objects to sketch, and competitive elements that make every round thrilling. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a fast-paced, artistic challenge.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
2- Drawing with Carl
Drawing with Carl is an interactive app that allows kids to unleash their creativity by importing photos and adding personal touches. Whether it’s drawing over pictures, adding talking stickers, or exploring symmetrical designs with mirror painting, this app offers a plethora of tools. Features include easy-to-use drawing tools, magical pattern paint buckets, mirror drawing, and the ability to share creations on social media or via email.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
3- Draw In
Draw In is a unique drawing app where kids sketch the outline of various shapes. The challenge lies in estimating the length of the line needed to complete the shape perfectly. The closer the line is to the perfect length, the more of the hidden image is revealed. This app encourages precision and spatial awareness, making it educational as well as fun. Features include a user-friendly interface, various hidden images to discover, and a free-to-play format that’s suitable for all ages.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
4- Draw.AI- How to draw
Draw.AI is an innovative app designed to teach kids how to draw various images, from anime to animals and flowers. By following step-by-step instructions and using tools like glowing pens, kids can create dazzling artworks. Features include seamless animations for guidance, a diverse collection of drawings, a coloring mode for practice, and automatically generated videos of the drawing process. This app not only helps in learning to draw but also enhances coloring skills.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
5- Draw Story
Draw Story is a creative app that challenges kids to use their drawing skills to navigate various scenarios, primarily focusing on escaping school settings. Using simple tools like a finger or an Apple Pencil, players draw objects to solve puzzles and unlock different level endings. The game immerses players in an artistic world where each drawing impacts the story’s outcome, encouraging creativity and problem-solving.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
6- Picsart Color Paint
Picsart Color Paint is a versatile drawing app suitable for both kids and adults, featuring a wide range of artistic tools. Users can draw with textures and colors, utilize multiple layers, and employ a variety of blending modes to create complex art pieces. The app also includes a color wheel and mixer for precise color matching, text tools for artistic typography, and pattern fills, making it a comprehensive tool for digital artists.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
7- Drawing Games Learning Kids 2
Drawing Games Learning Kids 2 blends drawing with educational content, targeting children aged 2 to 6. It offers 150 step-by-step drawing tutorials across various themes and complexity levels. Features include tracing and free-drawing mechanics to refine motor skills, themed packs like “ABC” and “Numbers” to engage children in learning through art, and a variety of tools like pencils, crayons, and stickers.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
8- ArtWorkout: Learn How to Draw
ArtWorkout employs a game-based learning approach to teach drawing, providing analytical insights into the users’ performance. With over 200 lessons and interactive courses covering doodling, sketching, drawing, painting, and handwriting, this app supports a wide array of artistic endeavors. It also supports Apple Pencil, enhancing the experience for iPad users.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
9- Doodle Buddy
Doodle Buddy Gold allows kids to finger paint and interact creatively using various colors and playful stamps. It’s touted as a highly entertaining drawing app, also enabling children to connect and draw together online, adding a social element to the creative process.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
- Age Recommendation: 12+
10- Kids Doodle
Kids Doodle is an intuitive painting app designed specifically for young children. It supports a variety of fun and colorful brushes, including glow/neon, rainbow, and crayon brushes. The app randomly adjusts brush size and color, maintaining a high level of engagement and fun for continuous creative expression.
- Compatibility: iPhone/iPad, Android
- Price: Free
Final thoughts
Drawing apps open a world of color and creativity for kids, enhancing not just their cognitive skills but also providing a fun platform for artistic expression. These apps, specially designed for young learners, offer a variety of interactive experiences, from competitive drawing games to step-by-step guided tutorials that encourage children to sketch, color, and let their imaginations run wild.
