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

Bring a splash of color to your sketchbook with this fun, beginner-friendly rainbow tutorial. Designed for children ages 5 and up, this project uses basic shapes to build confidence and fine motor control. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and your favorite set of colored markers or crayons.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A bright, colorful, finished rainbow drawing perfect for kids to emulate.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Rolling Hills

Pencil sketch of two overlapping curved lines forming rolling hills on a white background.

Start by drawing two long, gentle curved lines to create overlapping hills at the bottom of your page. Teacher's Tip: Keep these lines loose and wavy to make the landscape look natural and soft.

Step 2: Adding Distant Bushes

Pencil sketch showing small rounded bushes and a single tree added to the horizon line.

Use a series of small, connected 'U' shapes along the horizon line to create bushes. Then, draw two vertical lines for a tree trunk and a rounded top for the crown. Tip: Vary the size of your 'U' shapes to make the bushes look more realistic.

Step 3: Growing the Forest

Pencil sketch of multiple trees added along the background horizon line.

Add more trees to your horizon using the same trunk-and-crown technique. Tip: Try placing your trees at different heights to create a sense of depth in your drawing.

Step 4: Drawing the Rainbow and Sun

Pencil sketch of a large rainbow arch and a sun with triangular rays in the corner.

Draw two large, parallel 'U' shapes arching across the sky for your rainbow. On the side, draw a partial circle for the sun with jagged, triangular rays. Tip: Use your full arm movement to get a smooth, clean arch for the rainbow.

Step 5: Adding Color Bands and a Daisy

Pencil sketch showing rainbow stripes and a single daisy flower on the hill.

Divide your rainbow into sections by drawing smaller 'U' shapes inside the arch. Then, draw a daisy on the hill: start with an oval center and add petal shapes around it. Tip: Keep your flower petals uniform in size for a tidy look.

Step 6: Planting More Flowers

Pencil sketch showing additional daisies and a tulip added to the foreground.

Add another daisy and a tulip to your garden. Use curved lines for the tulip petals and add a simple stem with a teardrop-shaped leaf. Tip: Drawing flowers at different heights makes your meadow look lush and full.

Step 7: Filling the Meadow

Pencil sketch of a full meadow with multiple daisies and tulips.

Continue adding more daisies and tulips across the hillside. Tip: Don't worry about making them identical; nature is full of variety, so some flowers can be slightly larger or smaller than others.

Step 8: Adding Butterflies

Pencil sketch showing small butterflies added to the scene above the flowers.

Bring your scene to life by drawing butterflies fluttering near the flowers. Use 'U' shapes to create the four wings for each butterfly. Tip: Keep the butterflies small so they look like they are in the distance.

Step 9: Drawing Fluffy Clouds

Pencil sketch showing fluffy clouds added to the sky above the rainbow.

Finish your outline by adding clouds in the sky. Use a flat line for the base and bumpy, curved lines for the fluffy top. Tip: Clouds are great for hiding any mistakes you might have made in the sky area!

Step 10: Coloring Your Rainbow

A fully colored, vibrant rainbow drawing with a sunny sky and a flower-filled meadow.

Time to color! Use the mnemonic 'ROY G. BIV' to remember the order: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Tip: Use light pressure with your crayons to blend the colors beautifully.