Mandalas are everywhere right now- grown up coloring books, clothing trends, and even home decor. They look fancy and super intricate but these step by step directions and a free printable mandala template make it easy to draw mandala designs of your own! These mandalas for kids are an easy place to start!
What exactly is a mandala……
A mandala is defined as a circular design, usually symmetrical design. The mandala has its roots in Buddhist and Hindu region. Here we’re making these mandalas for kids in a more generic sense. It will be a symmetrical design made of either (or both) geometric or organic shapes. It’ll look super fancy but be totally do-able for artists of all levels because it’s just one step at a time!
If you’re into the idea of making more mandalas for kids try this leaf print mandala project and this fun blot and print floral mandala! There are also really beautiful mandala designs to color like this one. Can you say…relaxing?
See how to use this free mandala template in the video below!
Starting to draw mandala designs, the easy way…..
You can either use the free printable mandala template provided in my Free Resource Library or start from scratch and draw your own. The idea is that you want a central point with concentric circles of different sizes around that center point.
The circles will help guide your design. There is no right or wrong of how many circles there should be. Less concentric circles will make for a simpler design. More circles will be a guideline for a more intricate design. My mandala templates use lines crossing the circles diagonally as well as vertically and horizontally. If you are free handing your design feel free to add more guidelines if you choose.
Mandalas for kids that are younger can be simpler and still have amazing results. Know your kids and meet them where they are for the most rewarding experience.
Get your free mandala template here….
To get the printable mandala template use the form below to subscribe to my Kitchen Table Classroom newsletter. You’ll get a weekly email from me about what is new on the blog as well as a subscriber only password that will allow you access to my Free Resource Library.
Here in the library you’ll find all my printable resources in easy to print PDF form. Click on any thumbnail and the easy to print PDF will pop right up!
The key to an easy draw mandala….
Looking at a finished mandala and knowing how to begin to draw a mandala of your own can be overwhelming. While the finished product is crazy intricate the making is easy of you think of it in a step by step fashion. By dividing your paper into eighths and creating concentric circles around a center point you have provided yourself a grid to work within.
The mandala template I provided is super light in color. If you’re using these to get started the idea is that the lines of the template will disappear or fade into the outlines and colors of the finished mandala drawing.
Whatever you do in one section of the mandala drawing you’ll do in the other sections. Easy. Start drawing in the middle and think simple. Start with a simple shape and repeat it all the way around the circle. Encourage your kiddos to work all the way around one concentric circle before starting in a new one. Use a pencil for this step; sketching lightly.
As the paper gets filled with lines and patterns it’s easy to go back in and add new lines and ideas. Start simple and add to it.
Adding finishing touches…
Once you’re happy with your mandala drawing grab a fine tip black permanent marker and outline it, all of it. This isn’t speedy but it does make the design “pop!” Encourage your kiddos to vary the width of their black lines for extra interest.
Adding color to your easy draw mandala…