Draw Something Giant
Draw a giant animal or landscape on large paper or sidewalk using chalk; plan proportions, use measuring steps, and explore scale, color, and creativity.
About this tutorial
Draw a giant animal or landscape on large paper or sidewalk using chalk; plan proportions, use measuring steps, and explore scale, color, and creativity.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Pick a giant animal or landscape you want to draw and say its name out loud.
- 2
Step 2
Decide how big your drawing will be by choosing a length and width in feet or meters.
- 3
Step 3
Measure the chosen space and mark the four corners with chalk or tape.
- 4
Step 4
Make a small thumbnail sketch on scrap paper showing the main parts and where they sit.
- 5
Step 5
Draw a simple grid on your big space with evenly spaced lines using the tape measure or string.
- 6
Step 6
Lightly sketch the main shapes onto the big area using the grid to keep proportions correct.
- 7
Step 7
Measure one or two key parts (like head width or mountain height) and adjust your sketch so sizes match your thumbnail.
- 8
Step 8
Choose which chalk colors you will use for big areas and which for details.
- 9
Step 9
Fill in the large color areas first using broad strokes of chalk.
- 10
Step 10
Add smaller details like eyes texture grass or waves with finer chalk lines.
- 11
Step 11
Add outlines and simple shadows with darker or lighter chalk to make parts stand out.
- 12
Step 12
Write your name and a short title near the edge of your drawing.
- 13
Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I draw a giant animal or landscape on large paper or sidewalk?
Start by choosing your surface (big paper roll or sidewalk). Sketch a simple outline with light chalk, plan proportions using measuring steps (use a footstep or handspan as one unit), mark key points, and connect shapes. Work from large shapes to details, filling color by sections and blending with a damp sponge or finger. Step back often to check scale, adjust lines, and let kids explore textures and color choices. Finish by photographing the work.
What materials do I need to draw a giant chalk animal or landscape?
You'll need large paper or a clear sidewalk space; sidewalk chalk or chalk pastels in many colors; measuring tools like a tape measure, string, or use shoe-length/handspan markers; masking tape or weights to hold paper; buckets of water, sponges or rags for blending and cleanup; kneeling pads and sunscreen; trash bag for chalk dust; and a camera or phone to capture the finished giant drawing.
What ages is this giant drawing activity suitable for?
This activity suits many ages: toddlers (2–4) enjoy large scribbles and sensory exploration with close supervision; preschool and early elementary (4–7) can follow simple measuring steps and fill big shapes; school-age kids (8–12) can plan proportions, use grids, and add detail; teens can design complex scale drawings. Adjust tools and supervision to skill levels, and offer sitting breaks, shade, and adaptive grips for children with mobility or fine-motor needs.
What are the benefits of drawing large-scale animals or landscapes with chalk?
Making giant drawings builds gross motor skills, spatial reasoning, and math awareness by practicing scale and measurement. It boosts creativity, confidence, and teamwork when children plan and fill big areas together. The activity encourages color exploration, sensory play, and problem-solving as kids revise proportions. It’s low-cost and outdoors promotes fresh air and physical activity. Take photos for lasting rewards and to motivate repeat projects.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use instead of sidewalk chalk or a tape measure if I can’t find them?
If you don’t have sidewalk chalk use washable tempera paint, crushed pastels, or thick sidewalk crayons and replace the tape measure in Step 4 with a yardstick, a marked rope, or a long piece of string.
What should I do if my big drawing looks out of proportion or the grid lines are uneven?
Re-check the measurements from Step 4, erase or blend back the affected grid squares, then use your thumbnail sketch from Step 5 and measure one or two key parts as in Step 6 to rescale and correct the sketch.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, shrink the drawing area, pre-draw the grid and main shapes in Steps 3–6 and use thicker chalk, while older kids can use more grid squares, finer chalk for Step 9 details, and add complex shadows in Step 10.
How can we make the finished giant drawing more special or longer-lasting?
Enhance the project by adding natural textures like leaves or sand to areas in Step 9, taking a photo timelapse while filling in Steps 8–10, and following Step 11 to write your name and share the final image on DIY.org.