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

Bring your imagination to life with this fun tree house drawing project, perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. You will only need a pencil, an eraser, and your favorite coloring supplies to build your own backyard hideaway. Follow these simple steps to master basic shapes and perspective while creating a whimsical forest scene.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, inviting cartoon tree house nestled in a large oak tree, perfect for kids to draw.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Strong Roots

Pencil sketch showing the base of a tree trunk with wide, knarled roots.

Start by drawing the base of your tree using overlapping curved lines to create a sturdy, knarled trunk. Teacher's Tip: Make the roots wide at the bottom to give your tree a solid, grounded look on the page.

Step 2: Establishing the Foundation

Drawing showing tree branches and a rectangular platform base for the house.

Draw the sturdy branches extending from the trunk, then add a narrow rectangular shape between them to serve as the floor of your tree house. Teacher's Tip: Use a ruler if you struggle with straight lines, but freehand lines add a more organic, 'nature-made' feel.

Step 3: Building the Walls and Roof

Sketch of the tree house structure with walls, roof, and leafy foliage.

Sketch the walls using square and rectangular shapes, then add a slanted parallelogram for the roof. Use 'U' shaped lines to suggest leafy foliage nearby. Teacher's Tip: Keep your shapes simple; a tree house is meant to look a bit rustic and cozy!

Step 4: Adding Architectural Details

Detailed sketch of the tree house including windows and front railings.

Refine the roof with a three-dimensional edge and add a square window. Draw small rounded rectangles for the front handrails. Teacher's Tip: Adding these small details helps the drawing look more realistic and inviting.

Step 5: Doors and Decking

Drawing of the tree house door, window frames, and back deck area.

Draw a rectangular door with a simple oval knob, and add a small back deck with vertical railing slats. Teacher's Tip: Use short, even strokes for the railing to keep it looking tidy.

Step 6: Adding Fun Accessories

Sketch of a flagpole on the porch and tree branches growing through the roof.

Draw a flagpole on the porch and sketch branches weaving through the roof. Teacher's Tip: Don't worry if the branches look a bit messy; trees in nature are rarely perfectly symmetrical!

Step 7: Growing the Canopy

Drawing showing the addition of multiple tree branches and leafy canopy sections.

Use loose, curved lines to add more branches and leafy boughs around the house. Teacher's Tip: Vary the size of your leaf clusters to make the tree look full and healthy.

Step 8: The Rope Ladder

Sketch of a rope ladder hanging from the tree house structure.

Add a rope ladder hanging from the house using two parallel lines connected by small horizontal rungs. Teacher's Tip: Make the rungs slightly uneven to give the ladder a realistic, worn-in look.

Step 9: Final Touches and Swing

Final line art showing the completed tree house with a swing and grass details.

Add a swing hanging from a branch and sketch some grass at the base of the tree. Teacher's Tip: Use quick, flicking motions with your pencil to create the look of natural grass blades.

Step 10: Bring It to Life with Color

A fully colored cartoon tree house drawing with vibrant green leaves and brown wood textures.

Fill in your tree house with earthy browns, vibrant greens for the leaves, and any colors you like for the house itself. Teacher's Tip: Use light and dark shades of green to create depth in the foliage.