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

Capture the cozy charm of a rainy afternoon with this fun, character-based drawing lesson. Designed for ages 5 and up, this activity requires only a pencil, eraser, and paper to bring a rainy scene to life. Follow along to practice character proportions and weather-themed details.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Colorful, finished drawing of a child holding an umbrella in the rain, perfect for kids.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Face

Close-up pencil sketch of a cartoon character's face with expressive eyes and a gentle smile.

Start by drawing the character's face. Use soft, curved lines for the chin, nose, and cheeks. For the eyes, draw two ovals with smaller shaded ovals inside. Teacher's Tip: Keep the eyes centered to give your character a friendly, approachable look.

Step 2: Adding Hair and Collar

Pencil drawing showing the addition of hair strands and a jacket collar around the character's neck.

Add the hair using smooth, sweeping curved lines, then draw the rounded triangles for the jacket collar. Tip: Make sure the collar lines overlap slightly to show depth where the jacket meets the neck.

Step 3: Sketching the Umbrella

Step-by-step sketch of an umbrella being held by a hand, showing the shaft and canopy structure.

Extend a vertical line from the hand to create the umbrella shaft. Use curved lines that meet at sharp points to form the canopy. Tip: Draw the 'U' shaped handle firmly to ensure it looks like it's being gripped securely.

Step 4: Detailing the Umbrella and Coat

Detailed sketch of an umbrella canopy with panels and the outline of a raincoat torso.

Draw the underside of the umbrella and add a small 'U' tip at the top. Use curved lines to define the panels of the umbrella and the torso of the raincoat. Tip: Keep your panel lines symmetrical for a balanced look.

Step 5: Drawing the Arm

Pencil sketch focusing on the character's arm and hand reaching out.

Sketch the outstretched arm using two parallel lines, finishing with a 'C' shaped cuff. Use overlapping lines to suggest the fingers. Tip: If the fingers look too long, erase and shorten them slightly to keep the cartoon proportions cute.

Step 6: Adding Buttons and Boots

Sketch of a character wearing a raincoat with buttons and rainboots.

Add round buttons down the coat. Draw the legs extending downward and finish with the rounded shapes of rainboots. Tip: Make the boots slightly wider than the legs to show they are sturdy rubber gear.

Step 7: Creating the Atmosphere

Drawing showing the addition of clouds and stylized raindrops falling around the character.

Draw a horizon line and fluffy clouds using connected curves. Add small, incomplete heart shapes near the umbrella and hand to represent splashing raindrops. Tip: Vary the size of the raindrops to create a sense of movement.

Step 8: Drawing Puddles

Pencil drawing of puddles and water ripples forming around the character's boots.

Sketch puddles beneath the boots using irregular curved lines. Add small ripples around the soles of the boots. Tip: Use light, wavy lines for the ripples to make the water look like it's reacting to the character's footsteps.

Step 9: Adding Rain Streaks

Final line art showing diagonal rain streaks and splashing water in the puddles.

Draw diagonal lines across the background to represent falling rain. Add more splashing heart shapes in the puddles with short ripple lines. Tip: Keep your diagonal lines parallel to ensure the rain looks consistent.

Step 10: Adding Color

Finished, colored illustration of a character in a raincoat standing in the rain.

Time to bring your drawing to life! Use dark grays for the stormy clouds and vibrant colors for the raincoat and umbrella to create a beautiful contrast. Tip: Use a light blue for the raindrops to make them stand out against the paper.