✏️ Describe and Draw
One player describes a picture using only shapes, sizes and positions, and their partner tries to draw it without ever seeing it. The results are always surprising, and kids practice clear speaking and careful listening without noticing.
What you need
Equipment: Paper and a pencil for each drawer, a few simple pictures. Give every drawer a sheet of paper and a pencil. Prepare a few simple pictures (a house, a flower, a robot, a pizza), printed or on a phone.
How to play Describe and Draw
- Split into pairs. One player is the Describer, the other is the Artist.
- The Artist sits with their back to the picture, so they cannot see it at all.
- The Describer looks at the picture and describes it in words only: shapes, sizes and where things go. They may not say what the object is.
- The Artist draws exactly what they hear and may ask yes-or-no questions.
- After 3 minutes, stop and hold the drawing next to the original picture.
- Swap roles and play again with a new picture.
Scoring and wrapping up
Scoring: Optional: one point for every detail that ended up in the right place. The pair with the most points after two rounds wins.
To finish: Hang every drawing next to its original picture for a giggle-worthy group art show.
By age
- Ages 6-8: use pictures made of one or two simple shapes, like a sun or an ice cream cone.
- Ages 10 and up: use busier pictures with several objects, overlaps and perspective.
Variations
- Big group: one Describer stands at the front and the whole class draws at once. Compare all the different versions at the end.
- Capy twist: the Describer may only use shape words and directions, no colors and no comparisons like "it looks like a...".
Tips for the adult in charge
- Stop the Describer if they name the object. Avoiding the name is the whole challenge.
- If a pair gets stuck, suggest starting with one big shape and adding details after.
🖨️ Printable picture ideas to describe
Cut out the cards, sketch each one on its back (or just read it), and hand one to the Describer each round.
- A house with a triangle roof, two square windows and a door
- A smiling sun in the top corner
- A flower with five round petals and two leaves
- An ice cream cone with two scoops
- A robot with a square head and antennas
- A slice of pizza with three round toppings
- A fish with stripes and a bubble
- A rocket with three windows and flames
- A snowman with a hat and a carrot nose
- A tree with an apple on the left branch
- A cat sitting on a box
- A sailboat on two wavy lines
- A cupcake with a candle on top
- A car with two round wheels and a sun above it
- A kite with a long tail and three bows
- A ladybug with six spots
- A cloud with three raindrops falling
- A clock showing three o'clock
- A birthday present with a big bow
- A mushroom with dots next to a small snail
Questions and answers
What skills does Describe and Draw build?
Clear, precise speaking, active listening, spatial words like above, below and left, and patience. It is a favorite communication activity in classrooms.
What pictures work best for Describe and Draw?
Simple line drawings with a few clear shapes. Start with one object, then move on to small scenes once the kids get the hang of it.