Kids Don’t Need to Use Pencils for Drawing
There are many fun things to draw with other than pencils. So why do adults seem to give them to kids, as soon as they can grasp them in their chubby fingers?
Pencils can be a problem for young kids, and therefore for you:
- Lead that breaks too easily.
- Erasers wear down quickly to the metal and the sound that it makes when kids try to erase make me want to run and cover my ears.
- Teeny tiny drawings with a teeny tiny lead.
- Kids spend more time erasing things than they do creating art.
I resisted taking away the pencil for quite some time. I didn’t want to hear my kids complaining that they made a mistake and had to throw away eighteen pieces of paper that were no good.
But we made it. And on the other side, it’s wonderful. There are so many fun things to draw with other than pencils. Things that promote free-expression in kids, and a lack of perfectionism.
Stepping Outside the Pencil Box
1. Oil pastels
These little sticks of color that you can easily pick up for a few dollars at any craft store, are super easy for kids to draw with. They leave a beautiful, vibrant marks on the page, and color like crayons. Kids get fine-motor strengthening from having to hold them at the tip because they are smaller than a traditional Ticonderoga.
A box of Pentel oil pastels is super inexpensive and comes with an astounding array of colors. The three of us use one box between us with colors to spare.
Pro tip: If kids draw with white, then they can have fun painting watercolors over the top and seeing the picture emerge. It’s also a fun way to hide secret messages.
2. Sharpies
Giving a young child a Sharpie seems a bit crazy at first. But if you place something underneath their art so the table is protected, you will find that kids revere the dark, crisp line of a black Sharpie. They also feel more in control of their art because you have clearly trusted them with something special.
A box of Sharpies is inexpensive and is often on sale.
Pro tip: Silver and gold Sharpies add an extra beautiful touch to kids drawings when done on black paper.
3. Chalk pastels
Chalk pastels go on buttery smooth, and kids love drawing with something that makes such an immediate and eye-popping mark on the paper. The colors in the box alone are a feast for the eyes and kids can’t wait to get started. They’re messy, but worth it.
We love Mungyo Soft Pastels that you can find on amazon, but there are many different brands and they’re easy to find at any store.
Pro tip: Have baby wipes on hand to clean messy fingers so you don’t find smudges on the light switches, sinks, and hallway walls.
4. Crayons
That’s right, crayons are perfect to draw with. There are a million different shades of them, they are easy to use, and they promote fine motor skills. They’re also cheap, which is a win for any homeschooling parent.
Try the construction paper crayons which go on any color of paper.
Pro tip: Kids can use multiple colors to draw their pictures and don’t have to choose black for their outline. If you’re drawing a tree, have kids use dark green for the outline and lighter green for the inside.
5. Paint
Did you know you can draw with paint? Most of us have a hard time thinking of paint as a drawing tool, but the paintbrush can easily double as a pencil. Using a dark color of watered down tempera paint is a perfect way to draw those contour lines (the outline).
Artista II is a great choice, but so is cake tempera. To learn about liquid vs cake tempera, make sure to read this post.
Pro tip: Teaching kids to use black paint to go back in after a drawing or painting is complete and outline it, makes for artwork that jumps off the page.
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Do you have something you love to have your kids use to draw with that is outside the pencil box? Please share in the comments below!
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