How to Draw a Bear (Easy Step-by-Step for Kids)

To draw a bear, start with a round head and two round ears. Add a muzzle with a nose and smile, then a sitting body with a belly and big feet. Finish with two arms and paw pads.

Finished cartoon bear sitting, brown with a tan muzzle, inner ears, belly and feet, dark brown paw pads and pink cheeks
The finished bear
Steps
6 easy steps
You need
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Black marker
  • Brown, tan, dark brown and pink crayons

Updated

Teaching this to a class?

Show one step at a time on the board and wait for the class before the next. The directed drawing for kids page explains how to run it.

How to draw a bear step by step

  1. A wide round head with two round ears on top, each with a smaller circle inside

    Step 1 of 6: Draw a wide round head with two round ears, each with a smaller circle inside.

  2. Two dot eyes with shine dots and a round muzzle with a black nose and a small smile

    Step 2 of 6: Add two dot eyes and a round muzzle with a black nose and a small smile.

  3. A round sitting body under the head with an oval belly and two big oval feet on the sides

    Step 3 of 6: Draw a round sitting body with an oval belly and two big oval feet on the sides.

  4. Two arms down the front of the body with two claw lines on each paw, the belly top now showing between them

    Step 4 of 6: Add two arms down the front with claw lines. Erase the belly lines behind and below the arms.

  5. Paw pads on both feet, each with one big oval pad and three small toe pads

    Step 5 of 6: Draw paw pads on both feet, each with one big oval pad and three toe pads.

  6. The bear colored brown with a tan muzzle, inner ears, belly and feet, dark brown paw pads and pink cheeks

    Step 6 of 6: Color the fur brown, the muzzle, inner ears, belly and feet tan. Add dark brown pads and pink cheeks.

Tips for little artists

  • Tip: Press lightly with the pencil first. Trace the lines you like with the marker, then erase the rest.

  • Tip: Make the muzzle a big circle low on the face. The nose and smile both fit inside it.

  • Tip: Put the feet on the sides of the body, so the bear looks like it sits on the ground.

Make it yours

  • Teddy bear

    Add stitch lines down the belly and a bow under the chin.

  • Black bear

    Color the bear black, the muzzle light brown and the paw pads gray.

  • Bear with honey

    Draw a small pot between the arms with drips over the top.

Common mistakes and easy fixes

  • The ears sit on the sides

    Put the ears on top of the head, near the two top corners.

  • The face looks flat

    Add the round muzzle first, then put the nose at its top and the smile under it.

  • The feet look like arms

    Make the feet big ovals that stick out on the sides. The arms stay thin and point down.

Fun facts about the bear

  • Black bears have large claws that do not pull back in. They use them for climbing, gathering food and defense. (Source: National Park Service)

  • Black bears are excellent climbers and can scale most trees for food or protection. (Source: National Park Service)

  • Black bears may spend up to six months in hibernation. During that time they do not eat or drink. (Source: National Park Service)

Questions grown-ups ask

How to draw a bear easy?

Draw a round head with two round ears and a muzzle. Add a sitting body, big feet and two arms. The 6 steps above follow that order.

How to draw a cute bear easy?

Give it a big round head, small dot eyes and a round muzzle with a smile. Pink cheeks and paw pads finish the cute look.

How to draw a bear for kids?

Use circles and ovals: a circle for the head, circles for the ears and ovals for the body and feet. Color it brown and tan.

If the ears came out different sizes, that's fine. Your bear is ready for a hug. More easy drawings for kids are on the home page.

Step 1 of 6

A wide round head with two round ears on top, each with a smaller circle inside
Draw a wide round head with two round ears, each with a smaller circle inside.