How to Draw a Cartoon Christmas Tree: Easy 5-Step Guide

Bring holiday cheer to your sketchbook with this fun, beginner-friendly Christmas tree tutorial. Designed for ages 5 and up, this activity requires only a pencil, paper, and your favorite markers to build confidence in basic shape-building. Follow along to create a festive masterpiece that’s perfect for handmade cards or seasonal decorations.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Star Topper

Pencil sketch of a five-pointed star with the beginning of a tree bough underneath, showing the first step of drawing a Christmas tree.

Start by drawing a five-pointed star at the top of your page. From the two bottom points of the star, extend curved lines downward, connecting them with a series of 'U' shapes to form the first bough. Teacher's Tip: Keep your star small so you have plenty of room for the rest of the tree below!

Step 2: Adding the Middle Bough

Drawing the second tier of the Christmas tree using connected curved lines.

Extend two more curved lines from the first section, connecting them at the bottom with wider 'U' shaped lines. Teacher's Tip: Make these 'U' shapes slightly larger than the ones in step one to give the tree a natural, triangular taper.

Step 3: Creating the Lower Segment

Adding the third, wider tier to the cartoon Christmas tree outline.

Continue the pattern by drawing the lower segment of the tree using another set of connected 'U' shaped lines. Teacher's Tip: Ensure your lines overlap slightly with the previous section to make the tree look like one solid piece.

Step 4: Finishing the Base

The completed outline of the Christmas tree tiers.

Complete the bottom of the tree with a final, wide row of 'U' shapes. Teacher's Tip: If your tree looks a bit lopsided, don't worry! Nature isn't perfect, and a slightly uneven tree adds character.

Step 5: Adding the Trunk and Ribbons

Adding a tree trunk and decorative ribbons to the Christmas tree drawing.

Draw a rounded rectangle for the trunk and add vertical lines for bark texture. Then, draw ribbons wrapping around the tree using parallel curved lines. Teacher's Tip: Erase the lines inside the ribbons to make them look like they are truly wrapping around the branches.

Step 6: Stringing the Lights

Adding small circles to represent Christmas lights on the tree.

Draw small circles in diagonal lines across the tree to represent string lights. Teacher's Tip: Space them out evenly so the tree doesn't look too crowded.

Step 7: Adding Ornaments

Adding circular ornaments to the Christmas tree.

Fill in empty spaces with circles to create ornaments. Teacher's Tip: Try drawing some circles partially hidden behind the ribbons to create a sense of depth.

Step 8: Adding Candy Canes

Adding candy cane decorations to the Christmas tree.

Draw 'J' shapes for candy canes and add diagonal stripes. Teacher's Tip: Use a fine-liner pen for these small details to keep them crisp and clean.

Step 9: Adding Festive Bells

Adding small bells with bows to the branches of the Christmas tree.

Draw small bells with bows on the boughs. Teacher's Tip: A bell is just a semi-circle with a small circle inside for the clapper—keep it simple!

Step 10: Bring It to Life with Color

The final colored cartoon Christmas tree drawing.

Now for the fun part! Use vibrant greens for the needles and bright reds or golds for the ornaments. Teacher's Tip: Use a darker shade of green on the underside of the boughs to create a shadow effect, making your tree look 3D.