🎁 Need an ultra-simple gift drawing for the classroom? Draw 1 rectangle, add a shorter lid, cross 2 ribbon strips and finish with a looped bow: in four steps, the child gets a ready-to-color package.
Drawing a gift step by step in kindergarten
This method is used from age 4: each line is built slowly, the child names the shapes and develops fine motor skills while having fun.
- ✏️ Step 1: horizontal rectangle (box).
- 📏 Step 2: thinner rectangle above (lid).
- 🎀 Step 3: two perpendicular strips (ribbon).
- 🎯 Step 4: central loop (knot).
| Material | Motor objective | Average time ⏱️ |
|---|---|---|
| Crayola Jumbo | Secure grip | 2 min |
| Bic Kids Evolution | Clear lines | 2 min |
| Faber-Castell Grip 2001 | Stroke control | 3 min |
👀 To illustrate the sequence, the Mésange mascot created for Zoé’s class, age 5, announces each new shape by a song and captures the group’s attention; the teacher thus gains 30% more time during the session according to feedback from Milan presse.
Free step-by-step video
The video below shows the same progression, ideal for an interactive whiteboard.
Want to go further? The creative wrappings complement this drawing and turn the sheet into a real surprise for Parents’ Day.
Which materials to use for a clean finish? (brands suitable for little ones)
The quality of tools directly influences the child’s confidence; a dried-out marker can ruin their desire to draw.
- 🖍️ Triangular markers Bic Kids: prevent rotation in the hand.
- 🖌️ Faber-Castell Aqua Dual pencils for coloring and watercoloring.
- 📚 Spiral notebook Nathan “Premiers dessins” (thick pages 200 g).
- 🛡️ Lego DOTS non-slip mat to stabilize the sheet.
| Product | Recommended age | Main advantage 🌟 |
|---|---|---|
| Crayola Washable | 3-6 years | Removes with water |
| Djeco Magic markers | 4-7 years | Color changing |
| Éditions P’tit Glénat Bloc “Gift Drawing” | 5-8 years | Detachable templates |
👣 Parents looking for original supplies can get inspiration from the referenced addresses in our souvenir guides, from Strasbourg to Nantes, where local art kits are often found.
Watercolor pencils tutorial
This second video illustrates filling the gift with a gradient; perfect for quick students.
Creative ideas to personalize the gift package
Once the scheme is mastered, suggest variations to stimulate imagination while working on the concepts of pattern and symmetry.
- 🎄 Christmas motifs: holly, stars, maple leaves after a reading about Canadian traditions.
- 🎂 Birthday version: balloons and candles, a nod to small budgets.
- 🏖️ “Vacation souvenir” package: shells inspired by Oléron Island.
- 🐲 Video game theme: Liyue motifs thanks to our Genshin Impact findings.
| Occasion | Recommended colors 🎨 | Simple pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | Red & green | Stars ⭐ |
| Birth | Pastel | Little hearts 💗 |
| Grandparents’ Day | Gold & silver | Flowers 🌸 |
Example in Claire’s class (Les Ateliers de Paris)
Children visit the creative space at 30 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris: they observe a giant package then redraw the pattern; 85% reuse the technique in their notebooks (source: Les Ateliers de Paris, 2025).
Common mistakes and teaching tips
A session rarely fails because of the drawing itself; it derails when the child loses focus or lacks tools.
- ⌛ Draw the ribbon before the box: reversing the order disrupts perspective.
- 📐 Rectangle too tilted: remind of the notebook shape.
- 🥤 Dry markers: provide a cup of water to reactivate Crayola.
- 🪄 Solution: keep a printed model (A5 size) borrowed from Nathan or Milan presse to guide.
| Problem | Quick fix ⚡ | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Wobbly lines | Lego DOTS non-slip support | Sharper stroke |
| Bow too complicated | Replace with two ovals | Focus on symmetry |
| Colors bleeding | 160 g Djeco paper | Clean outlines |
To enrich the visual arts project, consider complementing the session with exchanging mini-gifts from travels; our guide what to bring back from London is full of light trinkets to slip inside the drawn box.
FAQ
- At what age should this tutorial start?
From 4 years old if the child masters the horizontal stroke; before that, favor dashed lines. - How to avoid the ribbon looking “flat”?
Thicken each strip with a second parallel stroke then shade one side with a gray pencil. - What alternatives if the rectangle is not straight?
Use a business card as a template or offer a square cookie cutter. - Should I color before or after the bow?
After: the risk of dirtying the outline by coloring over it is lower. - Where can I find free “step-by-step drawing” sheets?
On the Milan presse website or at partner libraries of Éditions P’tit Glénat.
