How to Draw a Train: Easy 9-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to hit the tracks? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up who want to draw their own locomotive. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to build this train from the ground up, one simple shape at a time.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, finished cartoon train illustration.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Engine Base

Pencil sketch showing the rectangular base shapes of a train engine.

Start by drawing a long, narrow horizontal rectangle for the main body. Stack a smaller rectangle on top. Teacher's Tip: Use a ruler if you want perfectly straight edges, but freehand is great for practice!

Step 2: Adding the Cowcatcher

Drawing the front cowcatcher and pilot section of the train engine.

Draw an 'L' shape at the front and a trapezoid below it to create the cowcatcher. Tip: The cowcatcher is what clears debris from the tracks, so make it look sturdy and sharp!

Step 3: Smokestack and Wheels

Adding the smokestack and three engine wheels to the train drawing.

Add two stacked trapezoids on top for the smokestack. Below, draw three circles of decreasing size for the wheels. Tip: Use a circular object like a bottle cap if you struggle to draw perfect circles.

Step 4: Connecting the Cars

Adding a rectangular passenger car behind the engine.

Draw a small rectangle behind the engine to act as a connector. Then, sketch a large rectangle for the first passenger car. Tip: Keep your connector narrow so it looks like a real metal coupling.

Step 5: Windows and Details

Adding windows and wheels to the passenger car.

Add rectangular windows to your passenger car and draw two wheels underneath. Tip: Make sure the wheels are aligned with the bottom of the car for a balanced look.

Step 6: Adding More Cars

Adding a second passenger car to the train.

Repeat the process to add another car behind the first one. Tip: You can make your train as long as you want by adding more rectangular cars!

Step 7: Detailing the Second Car

Adding windows and wheels to the second passenger car.

Add windows and wheels to your second car just like you did for the first. Tip: Try to keep the windows the same size for a uniform, professional look.

Step 8: Final Touches

Adding decorative lines and a rear railing to the train.

Add horizontal lines along the sides of the cars and a railing on the back. Tip: Use a fine-liner pen to go over your pencil lines for a clean, finished look.

Step 9: The Steam Cloud

Drawing a cloud of steam coming out of the train smokestack.

Draw fluffy, cloud-like curved lines coming out of the smokestack. Tip: Vary the size of the curves to make the smoke look natural and moving.

Step 10: Color Your Train

A fully colored, vibrant cartoon train drawing.

Time to bring your train to life! Use bright colors for the body and darker shades for the wheels. Tip: Use a light grey or blue for the steam to make it look airy.