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Body Outline Art

Trace the child's full body outline on a large sheet of paper and let them fill in the details.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Body Outline Art.
  • Age2 to 6 years
  • Time30 to 60 minutes
  • EnergyCalm
  • CostLow cost
  • WhereIndoors
  • Prep5 min

Lay your child on a large sheet of paper and trace around their whole body. Then hand them the crayons or markers and let them fill in their own face, clothes, hair, and anything else they want to add. One of the most engaging craft activities for 3-6 year olds.

How to do it

  1. Tape two or more sheets of A3 paper together to make a sheet long enough for your child's body (or use a roll of craft paper if you have one). At minimum 80cm x 130cm for a 4-year-old.
  2. Lay the paper on a hard floor or firm surface. Ask your child to lie down on top of it in whatever pose they like: arms out, hands on hips, superhero pose.
  3. Trace slowly around the outside of their body with a marker or thick crayon, keeping close to the body edge. Let them feel the marker tracing near their sides: most children find this slightly ticklish and enjoyable.
  4. Help your child stand up and look at the outline together. Say something like "That's you: what do you want to add first?"
  5. Step back and let them fill in the details. Face, hair, clothes, shoes, a favourite item in their hand: whatever they choose. Some children add internal details (a heart, a tummy full of food). All of it counts.
  6. When they're done, hang it on a wall or door at their eye level.

What you need

  • Large paper
  • Tape
  • Outline marker
  • Markers
  • Floor surface

Signs it is working

Your child looks at the blank outline and immediately begins adding details without prompting. Your child identifies specific features (for example, "that's my jumper," "I'm wearing my red shoes"). Your child adds a second layer of details after finishing the first pass (face, then clothes, then accessories)

If it is not quite clicking

Child is uncomfortable lying still long enough for the trace: Do it in stages: trace the legs, let them stand up and look, then trace the top half; or trace around just one arm and hand so they can see what's coming before committing to the whole body. The outline feels too blank and child doesn't know where to start: Begin by drawing one small detail yourself (a button on the shirt, one eye) and then hand the marker over: a small start often unlocks their own creativity. You don't have large-enough paper: Tape standard printer sheets together on the floor before laying the child down; 6-8 A4 sheets cover a 4-year-old.

Make it yours

Younger, 2-3 years: The outline alone is enough: the tracing sensation and seeing "me on the paper" is the highlight. Don't worry about filling in detail. A face and a scribble is success. Older, 5-6 years: Encourage them to add specific details from their life: favourite toy in one hand, pet, or "what I want to be when I grow up." Label body parts or clothing items together. Siblings: Each child gets their own outline sheet. Can compare sizes; tape them side by side on a wall.

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