Why Some Children Love Drawing (and Others Don’t): A Guide for Curious Parents

The other day, I showed a friend a drawing my two-year-old had done. She laughed and said, “She draws better than my four-year-old!” I told her that was a bit of an exaggeration, but she was serious.

She went on to explain that her little boy just isn’t interested in drawing. He does a few scribbles and then runs off to do something else.

It got me thinking—why do some children love drawing (and seem really good at it), while others just aren’t into it at all? Let’s explore when children typically start drawing, why some avoid it, what their art can reveal, and how you can encourage creativity at home.

When Do Children Start Drawing?

Drawing usually begins around 12 to 18 months old, just after they’ve mastered grasping crayons or pencils. At this stage, it’s all about free scribbling and exploring colour and movement.

It might not look like much to us, but these early marks are actually an important part of their development.

As they grow, children’s drawings become more intentional:

Drawing Milestones by Age

• 12–18 months: Random scribbles
• 2 years: Controlled marks like circles and lines
• 3 years: Recognisable shapes and simple figures
• 4–5 years: People, houses, and beginning to add details
• 5–6 years: More complex scenes and storytelling through pictures

Why Some Children Don’t Like Drawing

Not all kids love drawing—and that’s perfectly okay. Here are a few reasons why:

• Different interests: Some children simply prefer reading, football, or building with blocks.
• Lack of confidence: If a child feels like their drawings aren’t “good enough” or they’ve been criticised in the past, they may avoid it altogether.
• Limited exposure: If they don’t see drawing at home or nursery, they may not feel naturally drawn to it.
• Sensory sensitivity or challenges: Some children find the feeling of crayons or messy materials uncomfortable or overwhelming.

When to Seek Support

If your child is older and still avoiding drawing completely, it’s worth checking in. You might want to chat with a paediatrician, SENCO, or health visitor if:

• Your child is over 3 and still only scribbles, even with encouragement
• They seem frustrated or say “I can’t” and avoid drawing
• They struggle to hold crayons or pencils properly
• There are signs of delay in other areas, like speech or social skills
• They avoid all fine motor activities (puzzles, small toys, etc.)

How to Encourage Drawing Without Pressure

There are lots of fun, no-pressure ways to encourage creativity, even for the most reluctant little artist.

Easy Tips to Spark Interest

• Make it optional: Offer drawing as a choice, not a requirement.
• Mix it up: Try finger painting, water painting, or chalk outdoors.
• Explore other forms of creativity: Cutting, gluing, playdough, or collage can all help build similar skills.
• Draw together: Sit down and draw alongside them—they might just join in!
• Praise effort, not talent: Say things like “You used such bright colours!” or “That line is super long!” rather than “You’re a great artist.”

Remember, every child develops at their own pace. If your child is happy and engaged in other activities, it might just be that drawing isn’t their thing—and that’s totally okay. But if you’re ever unsure, your health visitor will be more than happy to offer support.

Fun Drawing Activities to Try at Home

Here are a few simple, imaginative ideas to get your child drawing without them even realising they’re doing it “on purpose”:

✂️ Let’s Finish the Picture!

Draw basic outlines or shapes with a black pen, then invite your child to complete them however they want.

🖼️ Ideas for starting shapes:

• A circle with a smiley face → “Can you turn this into a person or animal?”
• A zig-zag line → “Is it a mountain? A monster?”
• A wavy line → “Let’s make something underwater!”
• An empty house outline → “Who lives here? Can you draw them inside?”

🌈 Silly Drawing Prompts

Pick one and let their imagination go wild:

• A giraffe wearing shoes
• A car made of jelly
• A rainbow slide
• A monster who loves bananas
• A cat with butterfly wings
• Your dream bedroom
• A flying sandwich
• A dinosaur at school

Final Thoughts

Drawing isn’t just about creating art, it’s about self-expression, coordination, and creativity. Some children jump right in, while others take their time or skip it altogether in favour of different activities. That’s okay.

Stay playful, stay supportive, and remember, every squiggle counts.

Useful Resources

SENCO Central
Art for Kids Hub [Youtube Channel]
Free Art Templates on Canva