Creative escapades: 7 must-try drawing games

Have you ever found yourself doodling on a piece of paper and realized how relaxing it can be? Drawing isn't just an artistic pursuit; it's a gateway to creativity, relaxation, and social interaction. This is where drawing games come into play, blending the joy of art with the thrill of gameplay.

In this blog post, we're diving into the colorful world of drawing games. Whether you're a seasoned artist or someone who struggles to draw a straight line, these games are for everyone and every occasion. 

So, grab your pencils, markers, or tablets, and let's dive into the playful and imaginative world of drawing games.

What are drawing games?

Drawing games are a fun and creative way to engage with friends and family. These games typically involve players taking turns drawing or sketching something while others try to guess what it is.

They vary widely, from classic pen-and-paper games to digital formats that can be played on your phone or tablet. They’re not just about who can draw the best; they're about thinking creatively, interpreting, and having a blast while doing it.

Whether you’re a skilled artist or simply enjoy doodling, drawing games provide an entertaining and amusing experience for everyone involved.

So gather your friends, grab your drawing tools, and get ready to unleash your artistic talents in these exciting and engaging games.

Types of drawing games

Drawing games can be played in various forms, from board games to online multiplayer games. There is a wide range of options for players of all ages and skill levels. These casual games often encourage imagination and artistic expression, allowing players to showcase their creativity while having a great time.

Whether you're looking for something to play at a party, with your family, or even alone, there's a drawing game out there for you. Let's explore the different types:

Classic drawing games

• Pictionary: This timeless favorite involves players trying to guess a word or phrase from a teammate's drawing. It's a test of quick thinking, creativity, and hilarity.
• Exquisite Corpse: A game with roots in the Surrealist movement, players create a collective artwork by drawing sections of a body without seeing the previous parts. The reveal is always a delightful surprise.
• Doodle art: Less of a game and more of a creative exercise, doodling encourages players to let their imagination run wild on a piece of paper. It's about turning random lines and shapes into a cohesive piece of art.

Digital drawing games

• Online multiplayer drawing games: Platforms like Draw Something and Skribbl.io have brought the joy of drawing games to the digital realm. Here, players can compete with friends or strangers in drawing and guessing games over the internet.
• VR drawing games: Virtual reality takes drawing games to another dimension. Games like Tilt Brush allow players to draw and sculpt in a 3D space, creating immersive artworks.
• Mobile drawing apps: Many mobile apps offer drawing challenges, tutorials, and collaborative drawing options, making it easy to indulge in drawing games on the go.

Educational drawing games

• Drawing charades: Similar to Pictionary but with a twist, this game can be tailored to educational themes, like drawing elements from a specific historical period or scientific concept.
• Storytelling drawings: Players draw a sequence of images that tell a story, which can be a fantastic way to develop narrative skills and understand sequencing.
• Nature drawing hunts: Combining outdoor exploration with drawing, players are tasked to find and draw items from nature, encouraging observational skills and an appreciation for the environment.

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Creative team-based drawing games

• Collaborative murals: In this team game, each participant contributes to a large-scale mural, with each person adding to the artwork in turns.
• Draw and pass: One player starts with a drawing and passes it to the next person to add their own element, resulting in collaborative and often humorous creations.
• Theme-based drawing relays: Teams race against time to draw items based on a given theme, promoting teamwork and quick thinking.

From the traditional to the digital, drawing games are a testament to how creativity can be sparked in numerous ways. Each game offers a different experience, catering to various interests and skill levels. You can use them to improve your artistic skills, educate others, or simply have a good time.

Benefits of playing drawing games

Playing drawing games offers many benefits for both children and adults, especially in terms of boosting creativity, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.

Let’s look at some of the benefits of playing drawing games:

• Drawing games enhance creativity by encouraging players to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas for their drawings. This helps to expand their artistic skills and imagination.
• Drawing games improve problem-solving skills as players find creative ways to convey words or phrases through their drawings. This is especially beneficial for marketers and graphic designers as they need to learn to think quickly and strategically to effectively communicate their ideas visually.
• These games promote teamwork and communication among players. In games like Pictionary and Telestrations, players must work together to guess and interpret each other's drawings. This fosters collaboration and the ability to effectively communicate and understand different perspectives.

Popular drawing games

Drawing games offer not only a fun and interactive experience but also provide numerous educational benefits. Here are some of the most popular drawing games available today.

Pictionary

Pictionary is the classic drawing game that has brought laughter and excitement to countless game nights. Designed for players of all ages, this beloved game tests your creativity and guessing skills as you compete to decipher drawings within a time limit.

In this Mattel Games Pictionary Board Game, teams take turns with one player drawing a word or phrase while their teammates try to guess what they're illustrating. The catch is that the artist can't use any words, letters, or gestures—only their artistic skills. The faster your team guesses correctly, the more points you earn, adding to the excitement and friendly competition.

But now, there's a modern twist on this timeless game: Pictionary Air. With Pictionary Air, players can truly bring their drawings to life. Using a magic pen, players can draw in the air while their creation instantly appears on a screen using the Pictionary Air app.

This innovative technology adds a whole new level of fun and interactivity to the game, making it perfect for parties and game nights.

Pictionary Air comes with a variety of features, including multiplayer game modes, different difficulty levels, and the option to connect to smart devices. This award-winning drawing game is available for purchase on Amazon, where you can find the Pictionary Air set that includes the pen, downloadable content, and instructions. It also includes the Unique Catch-All Category for 2 Teams (Amazon Exclusive).

Whether you're an aspiring artist or just looking for a fun and engaging game to play with family and friends, Pictionary Air is sure to provide hours of entertainment. Get ready to let your imagination soar and put your drawing skills to the test in this exciting and hilarious game.

Here's a quick summary of Pictionary:

• How to play: Divide players into teams. One player draws a clue from a card and tries to illustrate it for their team within a set time limit. No letters or numbers are allowed in the drawing.
• Tips: Focus on key elements of the word or phrase. Practice quick, symbolic drawings to convey your idea faster.

Draw Something

Draw Something is a fun and addictive online drawing game that allows players to showcase their artistic skills while guessing what others have drawn. It offers a unique and engaging multiplayer experience that can be enjoyed with friends or random opponents from around the world.

In Draw Something, players take turns drawing a given word or phrase on their device while their teammates try to guess what the drawing represents. The catch is that they have a limited amount of time to create their masterpiece, adding an element of excitement and challenge to the game.

One of the key features of Draw Something is the ability to play with friends, making it a great way to stay connected and have fun together, no matter where you are. The game offers a variety of power-ups that can be used to enhance your drawing or guessing abilities, making the gameplay even more thrilling.

The drawing tools in Draw Something are easy to use and allow players to express their creativity in various ways. From different brush sizes to a wide range of vibrant colors, the options are endless when it comes to bringing your imagination to life on the screen.

With its combination of drawing and guessing, Draw Something provides hours of entertainment for players of all ages and skill levels. So gather your friends, unlock power-ups, and let your artistic skills shine in this exciting online drawing game.

Here's a quick summary of Draw Something:

• How to play: One player draws a picture of a chosen word, and the other player must guess the word based on the drawing. The game is played turn-by-turn in a digital format.
• Tips: Use colors and details sparingly. Focus on the key elements that convey the word's essence.

Telestrations

Telestrations is a fun and fast-paced drawing game based on verbal descriptions. It is a game that combines creativity and interpretation to create hilarious moments of miscommunication.

The game is played with a minimum of four players divided into teams. Each player starts with a special sketchbook and a marker. The game begins with each player secretly choosing a word or phrase to draw. Once the time starts, players have a limited time to draw their chosen word or phrase before passing the sketchbook to the next player.

The next player must then look at the drawing and try to guess the word or phrase. They write down their guess and then pass the sketchbook to the next player. This continues until the sketchbook goes back to the original player.

One of the key features of Telestrations is its cooperative gameplay. Instead of competing against each other, players work together to create a chain of drawings and guesses. This encourages teamwork and collaboration, making it a great game for family and friends to enjoy together.

Telestrations is a game that guarantees laughter and entertainment as players attempt to decipher each other's drawings. It is the perfect game for parties or game nights, providing endless fun and memorable moments.

Here's a quick summary of Telestrations:

• How to play: Players simultaneously draw what they see on a card, then pass their drawing to the next player, who writes down what they think it is, and so on.
• Tips: Keep your interpretations simple. The funniest moments come from misinterpretations!

Googly Eyes

Googly Eyes is an award-winning air-drawing family game that is sure to bring laughter and entertainment to your game night. The objective of the game is simple, yet challenging—players must draw various objects or scenes while wearing special googly eyeglasses.

The twist? The glasses make it difficult to see straight, adding a hilarious challenge to the game.

To play, each player takes turns wearing the googly eyeglasses and drawing a challenge card. The challenge cards feature different prompts such as "draw a beach scene" or "sketch a bicycle."

The player must then attempt to draw the chosen prompt within a time limit, all while wearing the wobbly glasses. The result is often a highly amusing and offbeat interpretation of the challenge.

The game comes with adjustable googly eyeglasses that fit both children and adults, ensuring everyone can join in on the fun. There are three different lenses for the glasses, varying in difficulty level to cater to players of all skill levels. It's ideal for 1-6+ players for loads of fun.

This game's popularity stems from its ability to entertain children and adults. It provides a unique and comical twist on the classic drawing game, making it a favorite among families and friends. So, gather your loved ones, don your googly eyeglasses, and get ready for an unforgettable and laughter-filled gaming experience with Googly Eyes.

Here's a quick summary of Googly Eyes:

• How to play: Players wear glasses that alter their vision and try to draw items for their team to guess. The glasses come with three different sets of lenses that vary in difficulty.
• Tips: Embrace the challenge of impaired vision. It's less about the perfect drawing and more about creative, fun interpretations.

Skribbl.io

Skribbl.io is an online multiplayer drawing and guessing game that has quickly become a favorite for its simple yet captivating gameplay. In this game, players take turns drawing a word assigned to them while others attempt to guess the word as quickly as possible.

Each game consists of several rounds where every player gets a chance to draw and guess. The charm of Skribbl.io lies in its accessibility; it can be played in a web browser without any need for downloads, making it easy for anyone to jump in and start playing.

The game begins with one player drawing something related to a word they choose from three options. As the player draws, others see the drawing in real-time and start typing their guesses into a chat box.

The faster the guess, the more points are earned. This creates a lively and competitive atmosphere as players race against each other and the clock to guess the word.

One of the unique aspects of Skribbl.io is the social interaction it fosters. Players often find themselves laughing over the quirky and sometimes abstract drawings that come about, especially when players are challenged with difficult words. The game also allows for customization, such as creating private rooms to play with friends and the ability to choose the number of rounds and draw time.

Here's a quick summary of Scribbl.io:

• How to play: Choose one of three words presented to you. You then have a limited time to draw that word on the digital canvas. While others are drawing, you can guess the word by typing it into the chat box.
• Tips: Be quick to type in your guesses. The faster you guess, the more points you earn.

Win, Lose or Draw

Win, Lose or Draw is a classic drawing game that is perfect for game nights and gatherings with friends and family. The objective of the game is to guess the words or phrases that your teammates are illustrating within a time limit. The game is played in teams, with each team taking turns drawing and guessing.

To start, divide your group into teams of two or more players. Each turn, a player from the team becomes the artist and is given a word or phrase to draw. The artist has a limited amount of time to try and visually represent the word or phrase while their teammates try to guess it.

The challenge in Win, Lose or Draw lies in the drawing itself. Players must use their artistic skills to convey the word or phrase without using any letters, numbers, or symbols. They can only rely on their drawing abilities to help their teammates figure out the answer.

The team that successfully guesses the word or phrase within the time limit earns points. The game continues with each team taking turns drawing and guessing until a winning team is determined based on the highest points.

Win, Lose or Draw is a beloved drawing game, but there are also other popular drawing games that can be played with friends and family. Some examples include Pictionary, and Skribbl.io. These games offer different variations of drawing challenges and provide hours of fun and entertainment for all players involved.

Here's a quick summary of Win, Lose or Draw:

• How to play: A player from the first team selects a clue card and attempts to draw the clue for their teammates within a set time limit, usually one minute. No verbal clues or gestures are allowed.
• Tips: When drawing, concentrate on the main elements that define the clue. Speed is crucial in this game.

Scrawl

Scrawl is a hilarious and offbeat drawing game that will have you laughing until it hurts. In this absurd and twisted game, players are given outrageous prompts to create their own drawings. The objective of Scrawl is to guess what the drawings represent and to create the most entertaining and outrageous interpretations.

The gameplay mechanics of Scrawl are simple yet delightfully unpredictable. Each player starts with a wipeable flipbook and a secret prompt card. They must quickly sketch out their interpretation of the prompt and then pass their flipbook to the next player.

The next player must then attempt to guess what the original prompt was based on the drawing, and they must draw their own interpretation of that guess. This continues until all of the flipbooks have been passed around the table.

One of the key features of Scrawl is the inclusion of secret prompts. Each player is given their own prompt, which is kept hidden from the other players. This adds an element of surprise and excitement to the game, as players try to decipher the meaning behind each other's drawings.

Scrawl is the perfect game for a night of laughter and entertainment. It is suitable for players of all drawing abilities, as the focus is on creativity and humor rather than artistic skill. So gather your friends, unleash your imagination, and get ready for an unforgettable game of Scrawl.

Here's a quick summary of Scrawl:

• How to play: After drawing the scenario, players pass their drawing pad to the player on their left. That player must then write down what they think the drawing is depicting.
• Tips: With limited time for each drawing and guessing round, it's best to keep your drawings simple but clear enough to convey the idea.

More drawing games

With so many drawing games available, there is a wide range of products to choose from. The games we've listed above are among the most popular options, but there are many more to choose from.

Whether you want an online drawing game or creative drawing games for adults, here are a few other notable drawing games to consider:

• Grown-Ups Family Game
• Mythical Creatures
• Drawize
• Charades Party Game
• Drawful
• Pixel Art—Color by Numbers
• Drawsome People Group Party Game
• Pictionary Sketch Squad

Get ready for fun drawing games with the whole family

Drawing games are a fantastic way to engage and enjoy quality time with kids and family members (plus they make a perfect gift for kids). Beyond the traditional solo drawing activities, there are several fun ways to make the most out of these games and create lasting memories together.

One exciting option is collaborative drawing, where everyone takes turns adding to a shared drawing. This cooperative approach encourages teamwork, creativity, and communication as players work together to create a masterpiece. 

Another popular activity is the classic game of charades but with a drawing twist. Instead of acting out words or phrases, players must draw them, adding an extra level of creativity and entertainment.

Verbal description-based games are another enjoyable option. In this type of drawing game, players take turns describing a scene or object while others try to draw it based solely on verbal cues. This not only sparks creativity, but also enhances communication and listening skills.

Playing these favorite drawing games with teammates, kids, or family members fosters creativity, encourages active participation, and strengthens bonding as you collaborate, laugh, and share ideas together.

You can turn any paper-based drawing game into a digital format that you can share with friends anywhere in the world. Linearity Curve (formerly Vectornator) is a graphic design and illustration platform you can use to draw on your desktop, iPad, and iPhone.

Ready to try new and innovative software for drawing?