1Step 1 of 7
Draw the head
Start in the upper middle of your page and leave room on both sides for the big ears. Draw a round head. Press lightly so you can fix it later.
▶ Watch this stepHow to Draw a Cartoon Elephant
This cartoon elephant is made from simple shapes: a round head, two huge ears and a long curly trunk. Watch each step being drawn in pencil, then copy it on your own paper. It works for kids from about age 5 and for adult beginners too.
7 easy steps 20 minutes Easy level Ages 5 and up
Copy the dark lines in each step. The grey lines are the parts you already drew.
How to draw a cartoon elephant, step by step
2Step 2 of 7
Add the big ears
On each side of the head, draw a huge, round, floppy ear that is almost as tall as the head. Inside each ear, draw a smaller shape for the pink part.
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3Step 3 of 7
Draw the eyes
In the upper half of the face, draw two round eyes with a gap between them. Color them dark and leave a tiny white dot for the shine. Add a small oval on each cheek.
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4Step 4 of 7
Draw the trunk
Between the eyes, draw two lines going down the middle of the face and below the head. At the bottom, curl the trunk up to the left and close the tip. Add two short curved lines across the trunk for wrinkles.
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5Step 5 of 7
Draw the body
Under the head, draw a big body that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, like a pear.
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6Step 6 of 7
Add the legs and tail
Draw two thick front legs going straight down with a flat bottom. On each side, draw a round back leg. Add three little toenails at the bottom of each front leg, and a thin tail with a small tuft on the right.
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7Step 7 of 7
Color your elephant
Color the whole elephant soft grey or light blue. Use pink for the inner ears and cheeks, and cream for the toenails. Keep the eyes dark.
▶ Watch this stepTips for a better cartoon elephant
1
Draw light first
Keep your first lines soft, then press harder once you like the shape.
2
Leave room for the ears
Start the head in the middle of the page so the ears do not run off the sides.
3
Two lines for the trunk
Draw the trunk as two lines side by side and keep them the same distance apart.
4
Chunky legs
Elephant legs are thick and straight, like tree trunks.
5
Go over the final lines
Trace your drawing with a darker pencil or a black pen so it stands out after coloring.
6
Add a party hat
A small party hat or a bow on the head makes a fun birthday card.
Done? Now make it colourful
Colour your cartoon elephant in, or keep practising with more ideas to copy.
Questions people ask
Is this cartoon elephant easy enough for young kids?
Yes. Most children from about age 5 can follow it. For younger kids, draw the trunk straight down without the curl.
How do I draw an elephant trunk?
Start between the eyes and draw two lines going down. At the bottom, bend them up into a small curl and join them at the tip.
What colors do I need for a cartoon elephant?
Grey or light blue for the body, pink for the ears and cheeks, cream for the toenails and black for the eyes.
Can I draw a baby elephant with these steps?
Yes. This one already looks like a baby. Make the head even bigger and the body smaller for an extra cute look.
Can I print the steps?
Yes. Right click or long press any step picture to save it, then print it and keep it next to you while you draw.
