Sketch That Drone - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Sketch That Drone

Draw and design your own drone, label its parts, plan features, and make a simple paper model to test proportions and balance.

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Step-by-step guide to Sketch That Drone

What you need

Plain paper, cardstock or extra paper, pencil, eraser, ruler, scissors, tape or glue, small weights (paper clips or coins), colouring materials, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all the materials from the list and set them on a clear workspace.

Step 2

Choose one main purpose for your drone (for example: camera, delivery, racing, or rescue).

Step 3

Draw a top-view outline of your drone on paper showing the body and where the arms and propellers will go.

Step 4

Draw a side-view outline of your drone to plan the height and landing gear proportions.

Step 5

On both drawings, mark and label the main parts like motor, propeller, battery, camera, and landing gear.

Step 6

Write down three special features your drone will have and draw a small symbol on your sketch showing where each feature goes.

Step 7

Use your sketches and a ruler to draw paper templates for each drone part on cardstock or extra paper to keep the sizes proportional.

Step 8

Cut out the paper templates carefully with scissors.

Step 9

Assemble the cut pieces into a simple paper model using tape or glue to match your drawn shapes.

Step 10

Test the model’s balance by placing small weights where the battery would sit and move them until the model rests level.

Step 11

Color the paper model to match your design choices.

Step 12

Add labels to the paper model so each part matches the labels on your drawings.

Step 13

Share a photo or description of your finished drone design and paper model on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use if I don't have cardstock to make the paper templates?

Use lightweight cardboard from a cereal or shipping box or tape two sheets of printer paper together as a substitute when you 'draw paper templates' and 'cut out the paper templates' so the parts keep their shape.

My paper model keeps tipping over during the balance test—how can I fix it?

During the 'Test the model’s balance' step, move the small weights where the battery would sit, widen or reinforce the landing gear with extra cardstock, or shift the battery position on your assembled pieces until the model rests level, then re-glue or tape the parts.

How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?

For younger kids pre-draw the 'top-view' and 'side-view' outlines and pre-cut templates so they can color and label, for elementary kids have them use a ruler to draw, cut and assemble the paper model with tape or glue, and for older kids require precise measured templates, detailed labeling of motor/propeller/battery, and full balance testing.

What are easy ways to enhance or personalize our drone design?

Turn one of the 'three special features' into a real element—add a small LED as a camera or navigation light or a tiny hobby motor to spin a propeller, then color, label, and photograph the finished paper model to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to Sketch That Drone

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How To Draw A Simple Drone for kids step by step

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Facts about drone design for kids

🚁 Drones come in all sizes — from tiny toy quadcopters you can hold in one hand to large drones used for movies and farming.

🌀 A quadcopter uses four rotors and steers by changing each rotor's speed to pitch, roll, and yaw.

⚖️ Balance is everything: if a drone's center of mass isn't near its lift center, it will wobble or tip.

📏 Designers often build paper or foam models first to test proportions and balance before making the real thing.

🌬️ Propellers create lift by pushing air downward — change the blade speed or angle and you change the lift.

How do I run the Sketch That Drone activity with my child?

To run Sketch That Drone, start by asking your child to sketch a drone silhouette and label major parts (propellers, motor, camera, frame, battery). Discuss the drone’s purpose and plan features like rotor count or payload. Build a simple paper or cardstock model: cut and fold a fuselage, attach paper propellers and small weights (paperclips) to test balance. Observe proportions, adjust sizes/weights, and repeat sketches based on test results to improve the design.

What materials do I need for Sketch That Drone?

You’ll need plain and graph paper for sketches, pencils, erasers, colored markers, a ruler and protractor, scissors and child-safe cutting tools with supervision, cardstock or lightweight cardboard, glue and tape, wooden craft sticks, and small weights like paperclips or modeling clay for balance tests. Optional items: compass, stickers, a tablet for reference images, and clear packing tape to reinforce models. Keep tiny parts away from very young children.

What ages is Sketch That Drone suitable for?

Sketch That Drone works in stages: ages 5–7 can draw simple drones, label big parts, and build basic paper models with close adult help. Ages 8–12 can plan features, test proportions and balance, and learn simple aerodynamics. Teens (13+) can design detailed components, iterate prototypes, and later add basic electronics. Always supervise cutting, gluing, and small parts, and adapt complexity to each child’s fine-motor skills and attention span.

What are the benefits of designing your own drone?

Designing a drone develops creativity, spatial reasoning, and planning as kids visualize and label parts. It introduces STEM concepts like balance, center of gravity, and iterative design while improving fine motor control and technical vocabulary. Building a paper model encourages hypothesis testing, problem-solving, and learning from mistakes. The activity boosts communication and confidence when done together, is low-cost, and opens conversations about safety, physics, and responsible use of

Ready to create?