Creative inspiration for the Christmas holidays

Published on: 19 December 2016 Author: Liza Millett

The festive season is fun, but it can also be frantic. If you're juggling a never-ending list of jobs with entertaining excited children, here's a creative way to keep kids busy before - and after - the big day.

We've teamed up with publisher Curious Fox to bring you these fantastic step-by-step drawing activities. They're great fun to enjoy together and simple enough for older children to do on their own.

There are plenty of characters to choose from - a happy red-nosed reindeer, a skating penguin, a decorated tree, a smiling snowman and a jolly Santa in his sleigh.

And the fun doesn't stop there. Once the mini masterpieces are complete, they can be turned into cards or decorations, or used to make up a fabulous festive story.

So while the children are creating some Christmas magic on paper, you can get a few things ticked off that list.

What to do

Just click on the pictures below to open the drawing guides, then either print them out or follow the steps on screen.

What you'll need

• Paper
• Pencils
• An eraser
• Colouring pencils or pens
• Pencil sharpener

Handy tips

• Draw lightly - some lines will need to be rubbed out along the way
• Add details such as snowflakes or rosy cheeks to bring the drawings to life
• Colour in the pictures to add that all-important Christmas sparkle

Happy sketching...

Taken from the book Drawing Christmas by Jennifer M Besel, published by Curious Fox.