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

Travel back to the Ice Age! This tutorial is designed for young artists ages 5 and up to build confidence with basic shapes. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to bring this prehistoric giant to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A finished, colorful illustration of a woolly mammoth standing in a snowy landscape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Eye and Tusk Base

Close-up of a mammoth eye and the beginning of a tusk sketched in pencil.

Start by drawing a small, expressive eye with a dark pupil. Below the eye, sketch a series of short, choppy lines to represent the base of the tusk. Teacher's Tip: Keep the eye simple—a small circle with a dot inside works best for a cartoon style.

Step 2: Defining the Tusk and Trunk

Drawing the long curved tusk and the hanging trunk of a mammoth.

Extend two long, curved lines from the base to form the tusk, meeting at a point. Then, draw the long, hanging trunk below. Teacher's Tip: Make the trunk slightly wider at the top than the bottom to give it a natural, organic look.

Step 3: Adding the Ear and Jaw

Adding the ear and lower jawline to the mammoth's head.

Draw a second tusk peeking out from behind the first. Use a series of connected, bumpy lines to create the ear and the lower jaw. Teacher's Tip: Use 'bumpy' lines instead of straight ones to suggest the thick, shaggy hair of the mammoth.

Step 4: Shaping the Head and Neck

Sketching the top of the mammoth's head and neck area.

Draw a furry, rounded knob on top of the head and connect it down to the neck. Add a few curved lines inside the ear for detail. Teacher's Tip: Don't worry about making these lines perfect; the hairier they look, the better!

Step 5: Drawing the Front Leg

Drawing the front leg of the mammoth with detailed toenails.

Create the front leg using jagged lines to mimic thick fur. At the base, draw overlapping oval shapes for the toenails. Teacher's Tip: Think of the toenails as small, rounded pebbles at the base of the foot.

Step 6: Adding the Rear Leg and Belly

Adding the rear leg and the belly line to the mammoth body.

Draw the rear leg using the same jagged technique as the front. Connect the two legs with a slightly sagging belly line. Teacher's Tip: A slight sag in the belly helps show the massive weight of the animal.

Step 7: The Shoulders and Back

Sketching the high, humped back of the woolly mammoth.

Draw the high, humped back and shoulders using jagged lines. This gives the mammoth its iconic silhouette. Teacher's Tip: Make the hump quite tall to distinguish it from a modern elephant.

Step 8: Completing the Legs

Adding the final legs to complete the mammoth's stance.

Finish the remaining legs using the same overlapping oval method for the feet. Teacher's Tip: Ensure the legs look sturdy and thick to support the mammoth's large frame.

Step 9: Adding the Tail and Fur Texture

Adding the tail and final fur texture details to the mammoth.

Draw a small, tufted tail. Add extra jagged lines across the body to emphasize the shaggy fur. Teacher's Tip: Vary the length of your 'fur' lines to make the coat look more realistic.

Step 10: Coloring Your Mammoth

A fully colored, cartoon woolly mammoth drawing.

Bring your mammoth to life with color! Use shades of brown, tan, or gray. Teacher's Tip: Use a darker brown for the shaded areas under the belly and legs to give your drawing depth.