How to Draw a Ferris Wheel: Easy 10-Step Guide

Bring the magic of the carnival to your sketchbook! This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 6+ who want to practice drawing geometric shapes and symmetry. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a steady hand to create your own towering amusement park ride.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Colorful, completed Ferris wheel illustration for kids.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Step 1: Sketching the Central Hub

Two concentric circles forming the central hub of a Ferris wheel drawing.

Draw a small circle inside a slightly larger one to create the center hub. Teacher's Tip: Use a light touch with your pencil so you can easily erase the inner lines later if you want to add more detail.

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Step 2: Drawing the Support Legs

Two diagonal parallel lines extending from the central hub to form the support structure.

Draw two sets of parallel lines extending downward from the hub at an angle. These form the sturdy A-frame legs. Tip: Use a ruler if you want perfectly straight lines, or practice freehand for a more organic look.

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Step 3: Creating the Base

A trapezoidal base connecting the two support legs of the Ferris wheel.

Draw a trapezoid at the bottom to connect the legs, then add horizontal lines across it. This grounds your drawing. Tip: Think of this as the foundation of a building—keep it wide to make the wheel look stable.

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Step 4: Outlining the Wheel

Three concentric circles representing the main frame of the Ferris wheel.

Draw three circles of increasing size around the center hub. Don't worry if they overlap the legs; you can erase the lines behind the support structure later. Tip: Rotate your paper as you draw to keep the circles smooth.

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Step 5: Adding Spokes

Straight lines drawn from the center hub to the outer rim, creating wheel spokes.

Draw straight lines radiating from the hub to the outer circle. These are your spokes. Tip: Imagine you are drawing the slices of a pizza to keep the spacing even.

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Step 6: Drawing the First Car

A detailed drawing of a single passenger car hanging from the Ferris wheel rim.

Create a passenger car by drawing a pointed oval shape with a cup-like bottom. Connect them with two short lines. Tip: Add a slight curve to the side of the car to give it a 3D, rounded look.

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Step 7: Adding More Cars

Multiple passenger cars attached to the Ferris wheel, with one partially obscured by the leg.

Repeat the process to add more cars around the wheel. Remember to hide the bottom-most car behind the support leg for a realistic perspective. Tip: Vary the placement slightly to make the wheel look busy and fun.

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Step 8: Completing the Perimeter

A fully populated Ferris wheel with passenger cars attached to every section.

Continue adding cars until the entire wheel is filled. Tip: Keep your spacing consistent so the Ferris wheel looks balanced.

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Step 9: Final Details

Ferris wheel drawing with added bolt and rivet details on the structure.

Add small circles along the legs and hub to represent bolts and rivets. These tiny details make your drawing look professional. Tip: Use a fine-liner pen to go over your pencil lines for a clean, crisp finish.

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Step 10: Bring It to Life with Color

A fully colored, vibrant cartoon Ferris wheel drawing.

Time to color! Use bright, bold colors for the cars and a metallic gray or blue for the frame. Tip: Use colored pencils to shade the inside of the cars to make them pop.