What to Draw? Simple Drawing Challenges for Students

Have you ever handed out a sketchbook assignment or an “All About Me” project, only to hear a chorus of “But I don’t know what to draw?”
You’re not alone—this is one of the most common struggles in the art room. Even creative students can freeze when faced with a blank page. That’s why I designed my “What to Draw? Simple Drawing Challenges” Packet—an 8-page resource filled with over 200 hand-drawn doodles plus 10 Drawing Challenges that spark creativity, reduce stress, and help students get started with confidence.

🎨 Why Use Simple Drawing Challenges in the Classroom?

Blank page anxiety is real! These drawing challenges provide:

A structured starting point so students don’t feel overwhelmed
Fun, low-pressure ways to warm up creativity
Opportunities to practice problem-solving and imaginative thinking
A built-in sub plan option when you need a quick, no-prep lesson—just print the Drawing Challenge Packet and combine it with the Doodles Packet and go!

By offering simple drawing challenges, you’re helping students shift from “I can’t” to “I can!”

What’s Inside the “What to Draw?” Resource?

This resource comes with two complementary packets designed to spark creativity and keep students engaged:

✨ Packet 1: 8-Page Doodle Packet

Filled with hand-drawn doodles to help students brainstorm drawing ideas.
Provides simple shapes to draw so every student—no matter their skill level—can get started with confidence.
A perfect tool for sketchbook prompts, warm-ups, or early finisher activities.

✨ Packet 2: 6-Page Drawing Challenges Packet

Includes a one-page handout with 10 student-friendly drawing challenges to choose from.
Features 5 additional pages of full-color, kid-friendly examples, showing students how to approach each challenge.
Makes a ready-to-go low-prep sub plan—just print and hand out, and your students will stay on task (fingers crossed!) while you’re away.

Together, these packets give you a versatile, no-prep solution for boosting creativity, reducing blank-page anxiety, and keeping your art room running smoothly—whether it’s for daily use, sub plans, or fast finishers.

✏️ How Teachers Can Use These Challenges

Teachers love using these simple drawing challenges because they:

Work as quick sketchbook warm-ups
Pair perfectly with “All About Me” projects
Make excellent brain breaks or early-finisher tasks
Serve as a low-prep sub plan that requires no extra materials
Encourage risk-taking and creative thinking without intimidation for all skill levels

🚀 Ready to Beat Blank Page Stress?

If your students ever struggle with those “What should I draw?” moments, this resource is the perfect solution. It includes an 8-page doodle packet to spark ideas and a 6-page drawing challenges packet with 10 fun prompts plus kid-friendly color examples. Together, they give students plenty of inspiration while giving you a ready-to-use, low-prep sub plan or early finisher activity you can rely on anytime.

👉 Grab the “What to Draw? Simple Drawing Challenges” Packet on TPT HERE.