Draw a holiday object into a character - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Draw a holiday object into a character!

Turn a holiday object into a character by drawing features, costumes, and poses, then write a short backstory to spark creativity and storytelling.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Step-by-step guide to draw a holiday object into a character

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How to Draw a Christmas Ornament Easy and Cute

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, colouring materials (markers crayons colored pencils), black pen

Step 1

Choose one holiday object you want to turn into a character like an ornament candy cane gingerbread cookie pumpkin or party hat.

Step 2

Decide if your character is happy silly brave spooky or shy and pick one costume idea.

Step 3

Lightly sketch the basic shape of your chosen object on the paper with your pencil.

Step 4

Draw a face on the object by adding eyes a nose and a mouth that match the personality you chose.

Step 5

Add arms legs or other limbs so your character can strike a fun pose.

Step 6

Sketch the costume details and any accessories like hats scarves or tiny shoes.

Step 7

Add small details such as patterns textures stickers or holiday decorations to make it unique.

Step 8

Draw the pose clearly by adjusting limb positions and the tilt of the head or body.

Step 9

Trace over your favorite pencil lines with the black pen to make your character bold.

Step 10

Erase the pencil lines gently after the ink has dried.

Step 11

Color your character using your colouring materials and make the colors match its personality.

Step 12

Write a short backstory and a name for your character in one or two sentences to explain where it came from and what it loves to do.

Step 13

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

I don't have a black pen or fancy colouring materials—what can we use instead?

If you don't have a black pen, trace over your favorite pencil lines with a fine-tipped permanent marker, dark crayon, or gel pen, and substitute colouring materials with colored pencils, markers, crayons, watercolor, or glued-on torn colored paper for fills and patterns.

My drawing looks messy after tracing or erasing — how can we fix smudges and keep the pose right?

Let the black pen or marker dry completely before erasing gently with a soft eraser, keep your original light pencil sketch so you can adjust limb positions and tilt the head to correct the pose, and retrace any bold lines if needed.

How can we change the activity to suit different ages or skill levels?

For preschoolers simplify to choosing a familiar object, lightly sketching its basic shape and adding a face with thick markers or stickers, while older kids can follow every step—sketch costume details, trace with a black pen, carefully erase pencil lines, color with varied materials, and write a two-sentence backstory to share on DIY.org.

How can we make the character more special or turn it into a keepsake?

Enhance the design by adding small details like glued fabric, glitter, or stickers for texture, cutting and folding a paper tab to make a standing figure or punching a hole and adding string to turn it into an ornament, and finish by naming it and writing the short backstory.

Watch videos on how to draw a holiday object into a character

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Family Christmas Ornament 🎄

4 Videos

Facts about drawing and storytelling for kids

🎨 Character designers often sketch dozens of rough ideas — sometimes 20–100! — before choosing a final look.

🎄 Many holiday decorations (like ornaments and stockings) inspired characters and stories that are centuries old.

🐾 Anthropomorphism — giving human traits to animals or objects — is a storytelling trick used since Aesop's fables.

🧸 Mascots and friendly characters make brands, teams, and stories more memorable to people of all ages.

✍️ Even a tiny backstory detail (favorite snack or secret fear) can spark whole adventures for your character.

How do I turn a holiday object into a character?

Start by choosing a holiday object (ornament, pumpkin, gift). Look at its shape and imagine a personality—happy, grumpy, adventurous. Lightly sketch the object, then add facial features, hairstyles, costumes, hands and a pose that shows emotion. Color and add details like patterns or props. Finally write a short backstory (2–4 sentences) explaining who the character is, what they want, and one quirk. Share or act out the story to extend play.

What materials do I need to turn a holiday object into a character?

You'll need plain paper or a sketchbook, pencils and an eraser, plus colored pencils, crayons, or markers. Optional extras: fine liners for outlines, stickers, glitter glue, scissors and safe glue for collage, scrap fabric or magazine cutouts, and index cards for backstories. A tablet or drawing app works for digital versions. Choose non-toxic, washable supplies for younger kids and protect surfaces for messy materials.

What ages is this activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages roughly 3–14 with adaptations. Ages 3–5 enjoy simple shapes, stickers and adult help writing a one-line backstory. Ages 6–9 can draw facial expressions, costumes and short paragraphs. Ages 10–14 can design complex poses, themes, and longer character arcs. For children with fine-motor challenges, use larger tools, stencils, or collage techniques. Adjust prompts and time to match each child's skill and interest.

What are the benefits and fun variations of this activity?

Benefits include boosting imagination, storytelling skills, vocabulary, fine motor control, and confidence. Turning objects into characters also teaches observation and cultural holiday traditions. Variations: make a holiday-character comic strip, mash up two objects for a hybrid character, build a 3D model with clay or recycled materials, or create a guessing game gallery. For safety, supervise scissors and glue and pick age-appropriate art supplies.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Draw a holiday object into a character!

Turn a holiday object into a character by drawing features, costumes, and poses, then write a short backstory to spark creativity and storytelling.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Step-by-step guide to draw a holiday object into a character

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Christmas Ornament Easy and Cute

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, colouring materials (markers crayons colored pencils), black pen

Step 1

Choose one holiday object you want to turn into a character like an ornament candy cane gingerbread cookie pumpkin or party hat.

Step 2

Decide if your character is happy silly brave spooky or shy and pick one costume idea.

Step 3

Lightly sketch the basic shape of your chosen object on the paper with your pencil.

Step 4

Draw a face on the object by adding eyes a nose and a mouth that match the personality you chose.

Step 5

Add arms legs or other limbs so your character can strike a fun pose.

Step 6

Sketch the costume details and any accessories like hats scarves or tiny shoes.

Step 7

Add small details such as patterns textures stickers or holiday decorations to make it unique.

Step 8

Draw the pose clearly by adjusting limb positions and the tilt of the head or body.

Step 9

Trace over your favorite pencil lines with the black pen to make your character bold.

Step 10

Erase the pencil lines gently after the ink has dried.

Step 11

Color your character using your colouring materials and make the colors match its personality.

Step 12

Write a short backstory and a name for your character in one or two sentences to explain where it came from and what it loves to do.

Step 13

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

I don't have a black pen or fancy colouring materials—what can we use instead?

My drawing looks messy after tracing or erasing — how can we fix smudges and keep the pose right?

How can we change the activity to suit different ages or skill levels?

How can we make the character more special or turn it into a keepsake?

Watch videos on how to draw a holiday object into a character

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Family Christmas Ornament 🎄

4 Videos

Facts about drawing and storytelling for kids

🎨 Character designers often sketch dozens of rough ideas — sometimes 20–100! — before choosing a final look.

🎄 Many holiday decorations (like ornaments and stockings) inspired characters and stories that are centuries old.

🐾 Anthropomorphism — giving human traits to animals or objects — is a storytelling trick used since Aesop's fables.

🧸 Mascots and friendly characters make brands, teams, and stories more memorable to people of all ages.

✍️ Even a tiny backstory detail (favorite snack or secret fear) can spark whole adventures for your character.