How to Draw a Lion Cub: Easy 10-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to bring a little king of the jungle to life? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to start building your drawing skills with this adorable, easy-to-follow lion cub project.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, friendly cartoon lion cub illustration.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Expressive Eyes

Close up of a lion cub's eyes and nose bridge sketch with light pencil lines.

Start by drawing two curved lines for the upper eyelids. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the shape if needed. Add a small shaded circle inside each for the pupils, then draw two gentle curves below to mark the nose bridge.

Step 2: Defining the Nose and Mouth

Drawing the lion cub's nose and mouth with jagged fur lines on the chin.

Draw a small, rounded triangle for the nose and add two tiny circles inside for nostrils. Below the nose, sketch a 'W' shape for the mouth. Tip: Use short, quick, jagged strokes to create the fuzzy texture of the chin.

Step 3: Shaping the Face and Ears

Outlining the lion cub's face shape and adding rounded ears.

Frame the face using long, smooth curves, transitioning into jagged lines for the cheeks. Add two large 'C' shapes on top for the ears. Tip: Imagine the ears are like soft, rounded petals sitting on top of the head.

Step 4: Adding Fur and Starting the Chest

Adding texture to the lion cub's head and starting the chest line.

Use short, zig-zag lines to draw the top of the head and the inside of the ears. Extend a line down to start the chest. Tip: Keep your zig-zags irregular to make the fur look natural and soft.

Step 5: Drawing the Front Paws

Sketching the lion cub's front leg and paw with overlapping curves.

Draw the front leg using an 'L' shape that overlaps the chest. Use small, overlapping curves to create the toes of the paw. Tip: Think of the paw as a rounded mitten shape.

Step 6: Sketching the Back and Rear Leg

Drawing the lion cub's back and rear leg structure.

Draw a long, graceful curve for the cub's back. Continue this line down to form the rear leg. Tip: Use a smooth, continuous motion for the back to give the cub a playful, rounded posture.

Step 7: Adding the Remaining Paws

Adding the final paws to the lion cub's body.

Add the other paws using the same overlapping curve technique from Step 5. Tip: Make sure the paws look like they are resting firmly on the ground to give the drawing balance.

Step 8: Completing the Tail

Finish the rear leg with a few more curves, then draw a long, sweeping line to create the tail. Tip: Add a little tuft of fur at the end of the tail for extra character.

Step 9: Final Details and Whiskers

Adding final fur details and whiskers to the lion cub.

Add small, light lines around the face to suggest fur texture. Finally, draw long, thin lines for the whiskers. Tip: Use a sharp pencil for the whiskers so they look delicate and realistic.

Step 10: Bringing Your Cub to Life with Color

Your outline is complete! Now, add color. Use sandy tans and soft browns for the fur. Tip: Try using lighter colors for the belly and darker shades for the ears to add depth to your drawing.