How to draw simple angels using 3 shapes for young children

When young kids are home in the days before Christmas, they get restless. There is so much excitement going on, and so much (for you!) to do, sometimes it helps to direct their attention to a simple drawing activity they can work on while you are doing what you need to do, nearby. Today I'm going to show you how to help your kids draw a simple angel using 3 shapes. Kids as young as 4 years old can do this. I know this because I used to draw these over and over again on the bulletin at church while my dad was preaching and I was supposed to be quiet during the sermon. Some of my earliest memories are sitting, squirming on the pew, with the little pencil and paper in my hand, drawing angels.

Because small children are just learning to hold and control a coloring tool, repetition is key. Let them have a crayon and practice over and over again on a large piece of paper.

Here's how to draw a simple angel using just 3 shapes. All you need are some crayons and several pieces of white paper. First, let them practice the 3 shapes on a piece of paper as many times as kids want to.

1. Draw a circle. Draw lots of them!

2. Draw a curved line and a straight line to make a half circle. This can be explained like "make a rainbow, then connect the bottom edges of the rainbow."

3. Draw a triangle. This can be explained like "make a point with 2 lines coming down, and a line connecting the bottom edges." 

Put on some Christmas carol music... (may I suggest "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"?)

Now it's time to make the angel using those shape-drawing skills:

1. Draw a circle at the top of the paper. 

2. From the circle, draw a triangle down as far as you want to go. If you want to, cut the top of the triangle off to make the head sit on what one Storygalorey child described as a "skinny volcano."

3. Draw a half circle on one or both sides of the triangle for wings.

4. Draw a larger circle around the head for a halo, if you wish. Explain to children that sometime artists use halos to show special people who were set apart for God in the Bible.

5. Draw faces-maybe another small circle for an open mouth, plus some curved lines or dots for eyes and nose. Color in the angel. 

Repeat the process to make a whole host of angels! If your child has lots of stamina, invite them to color in the background! Notice you can make the angels look like they are looking in profile if you make only one wing. 

I hope your Christmas is filled with joyful creativity and singing- Hark the Herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King!