Mandala Art Project for Kids


Kids easily learn to draw relaxing mandalas. We’ve included 3 free printable page options to help make this project easy for various ages, both in the home or classroom.

completed mandalas drawn with marker and crayon on tracing paper - kids activities blog
kids easily create their own mandalas

What is a Mandala?

Mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”) is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning given as a geometric symbol used in spiritual, emotional, or psychological work to focus one’s attention.

World History Encyclopedia

Mandalas are a wonderful way for kids to express their creativity while drawing soothing patterns of color and line. This activity encourages kids to see how they can use lines and colors to form various designs.

Related: Younger kids may enjoy coloring these easy printable zentangle patterns.

Supplies Needed to Make this Mandala Art Project for Kids

mandala for kids art supplies including a ruler, crayons, tracing paper, pencil, etc - kids activities blog
Few supplies are needed for this mandala project
  • Mandala Template – Free Download Below
  • Tracing Paper
  • Pencil
  • Permanent Marker
  • Coloring Medium of Choice – Crayons, Colored Pencils, Markers, etc.
  • Washi or Painters Tape
  • Ruler

Download the Mandala Template Printable Here

This download offers 3 different template options to choose from, based on skill level of the child.

  • A basic mandala grid that I generally use for my younger students.
  • A detailed mandala guideline for older kids. This grid offers guidance while granting kids more freedom in their design process.
  • A grid that only includes the circles, where kids are free to add their own design segments.

Directions to Make The Mandala Art Project for Kids

Step 1 (Optional)

step 1 - person using pencil to draw guidelines on mandala template - kids activities blog
Use a ruler to draw guidelines

Depending on template choice, use a ruler to add cross lines to the grid to create a mandala guide. More lines added to the grid can result in a more intricate pattern.

Skip this step for younger students or those wishing to follow the first mandala template.

Step 2

step 2 - boy taping tracing paper and mandala template to cardboard - kids activities blog
tape tracing paper in place

Tape tracing paper on top of the mandala guide.

Important: Use a less sticky tape, and consider sticking tape to clothing before attaching it to the paper. This will help remove some of its stickiness in effort to protect the tracing paper.

Step 3

step 3 - boy using pencil to draw patterns on tracing paper over mandala grid - kids activities blog
Kids play around with lines to create various patterns

Using the mandala template as a guide, kids draw repeating shapes and lines within each segment of the grid. Lines should repeat within each segment until that circle row is complete. These lines, repeated around the grid, will result in various patterns.

Continue adding patterns to the mandala until complete.

Step 4

step 4 - mandala image drawn in permanent marker with hand erasing extra pencil marks - kids activities blog
erase any unwanted pencil marks

Trace completed pattern with a permanent marker. This allows students to adjust their designs and easily erase any unwanted sketches or guidelines.

Step 5

step 5 - using colored pencil to color mandala - kids activities blog
Next, add color to your mandala!

Use medium of choice to color the mandala.

Tip: At this point we found it less distracting to color with a white background. To do this, simply flip over the grid paper.

Finished Mandala Art Project For Kids

completed mandalas drawn on tracing paper using marker, crayons and colored pencils - kids activities blog
Our completed mandala masterpieces!

I love seeing how these projects turn out! Each child begins with the same template and tools, but they create their own unique designs. Since these projects are made on paper, they are easily framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style. 

Our Experience Making this mandala art project

This is such a wonderful and easy project to lead that I often use this as a quick lesson for substitutes. Kids receive initial instructions and then spend the remainder of class drawing their intricate designs.

As with all projects, students vary in interest and skill level. I have some kids that skip drawing all together and choose to simply use color patterns. Others spend the entire class period on their intricate patterns and do not have enough time to color their designs. This project truly gives each child a chance to express their own creativity and skills.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Active Time
40 minutes

Total Time
45 minutes

Difficulty
Medium

Estimated Cost
$1

Materials

  • Mandala Template – Free Printable
  • Tracing Paper

Tools

  • Pencil
  • Permanent Marker
  • Coloring Medium of Choice – Crayons, Colored Pencils, Markers, etc.
  • Washi or Painters Tape
  • Ruler

Instructions

  1. Optional: Use a ruler to add cross lines to the grid to create a mandala guide.
  2. Tape tracing paper on top of the mandala guide. Use a less sticky tape, and consider sticking tape to clothing before attaching it to the paper to remove some stickiness.
  3. Draw repeating shapes and lines within each segment of the grid until mandala is complete.
  4. Trace completed pattern with a permanent marker and erase unwanted pencil lines.
  5. Color the mandala.

Notes

Mandala Art Project Variations

  • Some kids prefer to draw directly on the mandala template.
  • Transfer mandala drawing from tracing paper onto another style paper. Color with desired medium.
  • Skip the tracing paper and use copy paper instead. Use the assistance of a lightbox (or sunny window) to trace grid onto copy paper.
  • Have kids use a compass or trace circular items to create their own template.
  • Younger kids can skip drawing and simply repeat a color pattern for their mandala.

Mandala Art Project Variations

  • Some kids prefer to draw directly on the mandala template.
  • Transfer mandala drawing from tracing paper onto another style paper. Color with desired medium.
  • Skip the tracing paper and use copy paper instead. Use the assistance of a lightbox (or sunny window) to trace grid onto copy paper.
  • Have kids use a compass or trace circular items to create their own template.
  • Younger kids can skip drawing and simply repeat a color pattern for their mandala.

Other Fun Patterned Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

Did your kids enjoy making these mandalas? What colors or pattern combinations were their favorite?



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