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

Bring a touch of magic to your sketchbook with this easy-to-follow unicorn tutorial, designed specifically for young artists ages 5 and up. You will only need a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to get started. By focusing on simple geometric shapes, you'll build confidence while creating a whimsical mythical creature.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, finished drawing of a magical unicorn standing in a friendly pose.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Unicorn's Face

Start by sketching the profile of the face using soft, curved lines for the snout and jaw. Add the eye as a double-pointed shape with a small circle inside for the pupil. Teacher's Tip: Keep the eye near the top of the head to give your unicorn a cute, youthful appearance.

Step 2: Adding the Horn and Mane

Drawing the unicorn's horn as a triangle and adding initial mane tufts near the forehead.

Draw a narrow triangle on the forehead for the horn. Add small, curved locks of hair on either side of the horn to represent the mane. Teacher's Tip: Make the horn slightly tilted to give your unicorn a dynamic, playful look.

Step 3: Defining the Ears and Neck

Adding pointed ears to the unicorn head and extending a curved line to form the neck.

Sketch the ears using two pointed shapes at the top of the head. Connect the head to the body with a long, graceful curved line for the neck. Teacher's Tip: Use a single continuous motion for the neck to keep the line smooth and elegant.

Step 4: Styling the Mane

Adding flowing, jagged hair strands to the unicorn's neck to create a full mane.

Add volume to the mane by drawing long, jagged curved lines flowing down the neck. Teacher's Tip: Vary the length of the hair tufts to make the mane look soft and flowing rather than stiff.

Step 5: Sketching the Front Legs

Drawing the front legs of the unicorn with visible knee joints and cleft hooves.

Draw the front legs using long, slightly curved lines. Include small bulges for the knees and finish with a 'V' shape at the bottom for the hooves. Teacher's Tip: The 'V' shape is a great way to help children understand how to create depth in a hoof.

Step 6: Forming the Belly

Drawing the rounded belly line connecting the front legs to the torso.

Connect the front legs to the rest of the body with a long, sweeping curved line for the belly. Teacher's Tip: Keep this line rounded to give your unicorn a friendly, sturdy appearance.

Step 7: Adding the Rear Leg

Adding the rear leg of the unicorn with a matching hoof detail.

Draw the back leg using two long, parallel lines. Cap it off with a hoof matching the style of the front ones. Teacher's Tip: Placing the back leg slightly behind the front one creates a sense of perspective.

Step 8: Completing the Body

Outlining the back of the unicorn and adding the final rear leg to complete the body shape.

Draw a long, smooth line from the back of the neck to the rear leg to complete the unicorn's back. Add the final rear leg to balance the drawing. Teacher's Tip: Check that your proportions look balanced before moving to the final details.

Step 9: Drawing the Tail

Adding a long, flowing tail with jagged lines to complete the unicorn's silhouette.

Finish your unicorn by adding a long, flowing tail using jagged, curved lines. Texture it with a few extra lines to show movement. Teacher's Tip: A big, bushy tail makes the unicorn look more magical and energetic!

Step 10: Color Your Masterpiece

A fully colored, cute cartoon unicorn with a pink mane, blue horn, and white body.

Now for the fun part! Use your favorite colors to bring your unicorn to life. We suggest a classic white body with a pastel pink mane and a bright blue horn. Teacher's Tip: Use light, circular motions when coloring to keep the texture smooth and even.