◷ 20 minutes◎ Ages 5–8✦ Drawing
Quick start

Use circles for bodies or faces, triangles for ears or beaks, and squares for robot-like animals. Combine them in different ways.

Finished example for Make animals using circles, triangles and squares
Inspiration image: one possible finished result. Your artwork should be your own.
Your creative mission

What you will learn

Different shapes can work together to suggest a new animal.

Skills: Combining shapes, observation and imaginative choice

Jump to picture steps ↓

What you’ll need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Three coloured pencils

Get ready: Draw three large light circles first; leave room for ears and tails.

Six-frame visual journey for Make animals using circles, triangles and squares, ending in a colourful creative variation
Visual journey: use the numbered guide below for complete instructions. The final inspiration image is one imaginative variation, not a required result.
Follow along

Make it, one picture at a time.

Look at the picture, try that step on your paper, then move to the next. Follow the numbered stages, then choose your own colours and details.

  1. Stage 1 of 5: Draw three circles in one row, leaving a little space between them.
    STEP 01

    Draw three circles in one row, leaving a little space between them.

  2. Stage 2 of 5: Turn the first circle into a cat with triangle ears, small eyes and whiskers.
    STEP 02

    Turn the first circle into a cat with triangle ears, small eyes and whiskers.

  3. Stage 3 of 5: Give the second circle long ears to make a rabbit. Try a different expression.
    STEP 03

    Give the second circle long ears to make a rabbit. Try a different expression.

  4. Stage 4 of 5: Turn the third circle into an animal of your own. Add legs or a tail using lines.
    STEP 04

    Turn the third circle into an animal of your own. Add legs or a tail using lines.

  5. Stage 5 of 5: Colour the drawings and circle the shape that helped you most.
    STEP 05

    Colour the drawings and circle the shape that helped you most.

Make it your own

There is no single correct animal. Encourage children to explain which shape they chose and why.

Talk about it: Which shape did you use most, and why?

Help a young artist learn

These practical notes are for parents, carers and teachers. Children can follow the picture steps above.

For parents and carers — teach together

Start together

Draw three large light circles first; leave room for ears and tails.

During the activity

Point out that the same circle can become many animals.

Afterwards

Ask: Which shape did you use most, and why?

For teachers — classroom adaptation

Learning focus

Combining shapes, observation and imaginative choice

Demonstrate and guide

Demonstrate one cat, then let learners invent two alternatives.

Observe, do not grade the artwork

Ask learners to describe one choice they made and one thing they would try differently.

Make it easier or take it further

Make it easier

Begin with just one circle and one animal.

Extra challenge

Invent an animal using a square, circle and triangle.

Free printable resource

Print the original activity sheet if it helps you follow along.

Download worksheet (SVG) ↓

SVG opens in a browser and can be printed or saved. Use A4 or fit-to-page printing where appropriate.

Keep creating

Draw a friendly monster from simple shapes

Turn three basic shapes into a funny character with a personality of its own.

Draw patterns using just three colours

Explore repeating patterns without needing any complicated drawing skills.

Activities are suggestions, not assessments. Adapt materials and supervise as needed.