How to Draw a Summer Vacation: Easy 9-Step Guide

Bring the beach to your sketchbook with this fun, screen-free art activity designed for ages 5 and up. You will need a pencil, eraser, and your favorite coloring markers to create a tropical getaway scene. Follow along to practice spatial awareness and landscape composition while drawing your own paradise.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, finished drawing of a tropical summer vacation scene.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Lounge Chair

Pencil sketch of a lounge chair base using curved lines for a summer vacation drawing.

Start by drawing the chaise lounge. Use overlapping pairs of curved lines to form the arms and legs. Tip: Keep the shapes rounded to give the chair a soft, inviting look.

Step 2: Adding the Side Table

Drawing a small side table with a drink next to the lounge chair.

Complete the chair with curved lines for the seat. Next, draw a small table using two ovals connected by vertical lines. Tip: Add a tiny circle on the table to represent a refreshing drink with a slice of citrus on the rim.

Step 3: Adding Tropical Foliage

Adding tropical plant leaves and a drink with a straw to the scene.

Draw a small oval inside the glass for the liquid and a squiggly line for the straw. Sketch tropical leaves nearby using curved lines. Tip: Use 'V' shaped notches on the bottom of the leaves to make them look realistic.

Step 4: Drawing the Stilt House

Sketching a stilt house on a wooden pier in the background.

Draw a long horizontal rectangle for the pier. Above it, sketch a house with a triangular roof. Tip: Use short, curved lines along the bottom of the roof to mimic the texture of thatched grass.

Step 5: Adding Details and a Boat

Adding a boat, water ripples, and house details to the drawing.

Add a door and window to your house. Use wavy lines to show ripples in the water. Sketch a simple canoe shape connected to the dock. Tip: Keep the boat shape elongated to make it look like it's floating on the water.

Step 6: The Shoreline and Palm Tree

Drawing the horizon line, shoreline, and the base of a palm tree.

Draw a straight horizon line and a curved shoreline. Add a clump of bushes and two vertical lines to start your palm tree trunk. Tip: Make the trunk slightly wider at the bottom for stability.

Step 7: Palm Tree Fronds

Adding coconuts and large palm leaves to the top of the tree.

Draw three overlapping circles at the top of the trunk for coconuts. Sketch large, sweeping palm fronds using overlapping curved lines. Tip: Vary the length of the fronds to make the tree look natural and wind-blown.

Step 8: Adding a Starfish

Drawing a starfish and a distant palm tree to complete the beach scene.

Add a second palm tree in the distance to create depth. Draw a five-pointed star near the lounge chair to represent a starfish. Tip: Add a small line across each arm of the star to give it texture.

Step 9: Sky Details

Adding clouds and a sun to the sky to complete the summer vacation drawing.

Finish your scene by drawing fluffy clouds and a bright, round sun in the sky. Tip: Use light, circular motions for the sun to keep it perfectly round.

Step 10: Bring It to Life with Color

A fully colored summer vacation drawing with blue water and a sunny sky.

Your outline is complete! Now, use your favorite colors to fill in the scene. Use bright blues for the ocean and warm yellows for the sand. Tip: Try blending two shades of blue in the water to create a realistic gradient.