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Step by step · ages 3 to 8

How to draw a present

Every present needs a name on its tag, so decide who this one is for before you start.

Start with a square, put a lid on it, then the ribbon and the bow. Seen from above, as in the harder version, it needs a side and a top too.

Watch it draw itselfThe stepsPrint the step sheet

Watch, then draw

Watch it draw itself

The red lines are the new ones. Draw them on your paper, then press Next step. Or press play and watch the whole thing first.

Step 1 of 5

Let's draw a present! First, a big box: down, across, and up.

The video, with a voice for every step

0:31 long, the easy version. Pause it after each step while the pencils catch up.

How to draw a present, step by step

Easy, ages 3 to 5 · 5 steps

  1. Step 1. Let's draw a present! First, a big box: down, across, and up.

  2. Step 2. Now a wide lid sitting on top of the box.

  3. Step 3. Now two long ribbon lines from the top to the bottom.

  4. Step 4. Now a bow on top: a little knot, and two big loops.

  5. Step 5. Last, a string and a gift tag with a dot. Who is it for?

A bit harder, ages 6 to 8 · 6 steps

  1. Step 1. Let's draw a present! First, the lid: a flat top with sides below it.

  2. Step 2. Now the box under the lid, with a line down the front corner.

  3. Step 3. Now a ribbon knot on the lid, with ribbon running out to each side.

  4. Step 4. Now two ribbon bands going down the front of the box.

  5. Step 5. Now two big bow loops, with lines inside to make them look folded.

  6. Step 6. Last, a gift tag on a string. Who is it for?

Print · free, no sign-up

Two pages: every step with its words, then a frame to draw your own present in. Black and white, US Letter or A4.

  • Easy, ages 3 to 5

    5 steps on page 1, a frame to draw in on page 2.

    PrintUS LetterA4

  • A bit harder, ages 6 to 8

    6 steps on page 1, a frame to draw in on page 2.

    PrintUS LetterA4

Free for home and classroom use. To pass them on, please share the link to this page and not the file.

Make it yours

  • Write a name on the tag, and draw what's inside on the back of the paper.
  • Draw a whole pile of presents, the biggest at the bottom.
  • Cover the paper in a pattern: stars, stripes or tiny trees.

Rather color one in? Christmas coloring pages, free to print or color on a phone or tablet.

Our own book

The Christmas Secret

A Christmas Eve picture book with a read-along · ages 3 to 7 · out on October 20

A girl in our book finds a present with a name on the card. It's HER name.

Out on October 20See inside the book

Questions

Grown-ups ask

How do you draw a present that looks 3D?

Draw the front as a square, the top as a slanted shape above it, and one side as a slanted shape to the right, so you can see three faces. Our 'a bit harder' present does it in six steps.

Which level should my child try?

Start with easy, whatever their age. Easy is a handful of big shapes, and a bit harder adds the small details. If easy is done in a minute, switch.

What do we need?

Paper and a pencil, and crayons or markers to color it in afterwards. A thick marker is easier for little hands than a pencil, and an eraser saves a lot of tears.

Can I print the steps?

Yes, free, in US Letter or A4, one for each level. Print at 100% so the steps come out big enough to copy. All 16 drawings in one file come by email, from the box on this page.

More Christmas drawings

More Christmas

Or see all of them on one page, from the weeks before Christmas to the night itself.