How to Draw a Cactus for Kids

Add a splash of green to your day with a super easy and fun cactus drawing. Whether you’re gearing up for a Cinco de Mayo celebration or just want to enjoy a cool art project, this simple tutorial is perfect for kids (and parents!) of all ages.

Plus, we have a fantastic video tutorial to guide you step-by-step. Let’s get our art supplies ready and get started with drawing our own succulent.

What You’ll Need for the drawing cactus activity

Pencil
Paper
Eraser
Colored pencils or markers
Your enthusiasm!

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Your Cactus

Follow this easy step by step, but also watch along with the video to see the steps in action.

Start with the Core: Begin by drawing a central oval shape. This will be the main body of your cactus. Don’t worry about making it perfect; a little wobble adds character!
Add Some Arms: From the sides of your central oval, draw a few round, oblong shapes. These will be the arms of your cactus, sprouting out to soak up the desert sun. It looks good if you make it asymetrical – two on one side and one on the other, as cacti normally as not perfectly symmetrical and uniform.
Draw the Pot: Now, let’s place our cactus in a cozy home. Draw a pot at the base of your cactus. A simple curved line with a straight line at the bottom works great for this. Make sure to curve it around the back of the cactus plant too, to give depth.
Detail Time: Add vertical lines along the body and arms of your cactus to give it some texture. These lines represent the ribbed surface of the cactus.
Spike It Up!: For the spikes, draw tiny ‘V’ shapes all over the cactus body and arms. To make the spikes look like they’re coming towards you, add little ‘X’ shapes at the front.
Color It In: Now it’ss time to color your sketch. Grab your light green pencil or marker and color in your cactus. Use a darker green to add some shading along one side to make your cactus look more three-dimensional.
Pot Coloring: Color the pot with two shades of brown for a realistic effect. Use the lighter tone as the base and the darker tone for shading to give it depth.

Once you’ve got these basics down of how to draw a cactus for kids, you can add extra details to make it your own. Some kids like to add a little face kawaii style to make it even cuter, or maybe they would like to add little cactus flower details for an extra pop of color? You can also mix it up and add some bold patterns and colors on the cactus flower pot.

Why Drawing Is Awesome for Kids

Drawing isn’t just fun; it’s a fantastic way to boost creativity and motor skills in children. Tutorials like this cactus drawing are perfect for teaching kids how to follow instructions while allowing them to infuse their personality into their artwork.

Plus, it’s a great activity for family bonding. I love spending time drawing together with my daughter since it’s one of her favorite things to do, and I find it relaxing too.

It’s a great way to have some quiet time together, chit chat and find out whats going on in their lives lately or if there is anything on their mind.

This easy cactus drawing is not only great for everyday fun but also makes for a festive Cinco de Mayo craft. You could take it further and create a whole desert scene! It’s also a simple way to introduce your kids to different cultures and celebrations through art.

Ready to Watch and Draw?

If you’re ready to start drawing with us, make sure to check out our how to draw a cactus video tutorial. It’s great for visual learners and helps kids follow along at their own pace. Remember, the goal is to have fun and enjoy the process of creating something together.

So, grab those pencils and let’s make some art! Happy drawing, everyone!