Still Life Cupcakes: A Fun Drawing Lesson for Kids (With Free Printable)

Kids LOVE cupcakes, and they’ll love this art activity even more! In this still life drawing lesson, we’ll explore how to help kids really see what’s in front of them (not just what they think a cupcake looks like). It’s a fun and creative way to introduce observation drawing to even the youngest artists, and I’ve made it easy for you with a free printable lesson plan & worksheets at the end of this post!

What You'll Need:

• Real cupcakes (plain or decorated)

• Pencils & erasers

• Black permanent markers (like Sharpies)

• Watercolour paints

• Paintbrushes

• Water cups and paper towels

• Watercolour paper

• Optional: tablecloth or trays to contain the mess

Instructions

1. Set the Scene

Place a few real cupcakes in the center of the table. Choose cupcakes with interesting details: frosting, sprinkles, etc. These small touches make them more exciting to draw.

2. Explain What “Still Life” Means

Tell your kids:

“Still life means drawing real things you can see right in front of you, not what you think something looks like, but what it actually looks like.”
Encourage them to slow down, observe closely, and notice shapes, shadows, colours, and details.

3. Start With Pencil Sketching

Hand out watercolour paper and pencils. Ask kids to lightly sketch the basic shapes they see - the cupcake base, frosting swirls, toppings, etc.

Tip: Remind them that artists often start with simple shapes and then add detail.

4. Trace With Black Marker

Once the pencil sketch is complete, have the kids carefully trace over their lines with Sharpie. This helps define their drawings and prepares them for the next step.

5. Add Watercolor Paint

Now it’s time to bring their cupcake still life to life! Provide watercolour palettes and brushes. Encourage them to explore colour, blending, and light/shadow. Let them be creative with colour choices, realistic or imaginative!

Note: Since they used permanent marker, the lines won’t run when wet paint is added.

6. Reflect and Share

While they’re painting or after they finish, ask questions like:

• What details did you notice that you didn’t expect?

• What was the trickiest part to draw?

• How did you decide what colors to use?

7. Eat the Cupcakes!

If appropriate, let the kids eat their cupcakes at the end of the lesson. It’s a great way to celebrate their creative effort and it makes the memory stick.

✨Get your free Still Life Cupcake Lesson Pack!✨
Includes a printable worksheet, teaching tips, and a mini coloring prompt to tie it all together.