Draw Your Friend Portrait Activity
Partners draw portraits of each other while looking carefully at details — practicing observation, kindness, and social connection.
What You'll Need
- 1Paper
- 2Crayons or markers
- 3Clipboards or hard surfaces to draw on (optional)
What You'll Need
Paper (one sheet per person)
Crayons or markers
Clipboards or hard surfaces to draw on (optional but helpful)
How to Play
Pair up — you and your child, or two kids at a playdate.
Sit facing each other with drawing supplies.
Explain the activity: "We're going to draw each other! Look really carefully at your partner."
Start drawing and narrate what you notice: "You have such pretty brown eyes. I'm drawing them right now."
Encourage your child to study you and draw what they see. No peeking at your portrait of them!
When both are finished, do a "big reveal" — turn the portraits around at the same time.
Share something kind: "I love how you drew my big smile! It makes me look so happy."
Why It Works
Drawing someone's portrait requires looking at them — really looking. Children have to study their partner's face, notice details (eye color, hair style, freckles), and translate those observations onto paper. This focused attention on another person is a building block of empathy. The reveal moment practices giving and receiving compliments gracefully. And exchanging portraits is a genuine gift, which teaches that creative efforts can be acts of love.
Tips
Model imperfection: "My drawing isn't perfect, but I tried hard and I love it!" This prevents perfectionism.
Never critique a child's portrait of you. Even if your nose is on your forehead, say "I love it!"
Hang the portraits on the pride wall or give them as gifts to the person they drew.
For playdates, each child goes home with a portrait of themselves drawn by a friend — a wonderful keepsake.
Age Adaptation Tips
Preschoolers can follow multi-step instructions. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to predict what will happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: paper, crayons or markers, clipboards or hard surfaces to draw on (optional).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 3-5 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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