" Draw what you love w/ DIY Star @ApersonThatDraws "
Make a DIY star stencil and use it to draw and decorate pictures of things you love, practicing shape, color, and composition.
About this activity
Make a DIY star stencil and use it to draw and decorate pictures of things you love, practicing shape, color, and composition.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials and clear a flat workspace so you have plenty of room to draw and cut.
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Step 2
Fold a sheet of paper in half horizontally to make a faint center line to help you place your star.
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Step 3
Draw a large upright triangle centered on the paper using the center line as a guide.
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Step 4
Draw a large inverted triangle that overlaps the first triangle so the two triangles make a six point star shape.
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Step 5
Use your pencil to trace the outer outline of the star where the two triangles overlap.
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Step 6
Carefully cut out the star outline to make your star stencil while asking an adult for help if needed.
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Step 7
Place the stencil on a clean sheet of paper and tape one edge lightly so it will not move.
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Step 8
Trace the star stencil onto the paper in several places to make a layout for your picture.
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Step 9
Draw things you love around and inside the traced stars using simple shapes to practice composition.
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Step 10
Use your colouring materials to fill in the stars and the pictures with bright colors.
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Step 11
Add patterns textures or small details inside the stars to make each one unique.
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Step 12
Look at your picture and add any final touches like outlines shadows or highlights.
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Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org and tag @ApersonThatDraws so others can see what you made.
Fun facts
How do I do the "Draw what you love w/ DIY Star @ApersonThatDraws" activity?
Start by cutting a star stencil from cardboard or thick paper: draw a star and carefully cut it out (adult help for sharp tools). Place the stencil on your paper and trace stars in different sizes and positions. Use star shapes as frames for things your child loves—pets, foods, family. Add color, patterns, overlapping stars, and background details. Encourage experimenting with scale, layering, and finishing touches like stickers or glitter.
What materials do I need for "Draw what you love w/ DIY Star @ApersonThatDraws"?
You’ll need cardboard or heavy paper for the stencil; plain paper or a sketchbook to draw on; a pencil and eraser; child-safe scissors (or an adult craft knife for precise cuts); tape and a ruler for measuring; markers, crayons, or colored pencils; tempera or watercolor paints and brushes; glue and stickers or sequins for decoration; and optional sponges or stamps for added texture.
What ages is "Draw what you love w/ DIY Star @ApersonThatDraws" suitable for?
This activity works for a wide range: ages 3–4 with close adult help (cutting and tracing while they color), ages 5–7 with supervised stencil cutting and independent drawing, and ages 8–12 for more advanced composition, layering, and mixed-media experiments. Adapt complexity, tools, and supervision to each child’s fine-motor skills and attention span for a safe, enjoyable experience.
What are the benefits of "Draw what you love w/ DIY Star @ApersonThatDraws"?
Making and using a star stencil builds fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and understanding of composition as kids place and scale shapes. Coloring and decorating support color recognition and creative expression, while choosing beloved subjects encourages emotional language and confidence. It’s low-cost, flexible for collaboration, and calming for focused play. Displaying finished pieces boosts pride and motivates further artistic exploration.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have scissors, tape, or markers from the materials list?
If you don't have scissors, ask an adult to cut the star stencil with a craft knife or use pre-cut cardboard shapes, replace tape by holding the stencil with a paper clip or a small dab of glue, and use crayons, colored pencils, or watered-down food coloring as substitutes for the colouring materials.
My star looks uneven or the stencil moved while tracing—how do I fix it?
Refold the paper to re-create the faint center line and redraw the upright and inverted triangles using a ruler for equal placement, then retrace the outer outline carefully and tape one edge lightly before cutting or tracing to stop the stencil from shifting.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids, have an adult pre-cut a large star stencil from cardboard and let them fill one big traced star with chunky crayons, while older kids can measure triangle points precisely, trace the stencil several places for complex layouts, and add detailed patterns and textures inside each star.
What are some creative ways to extend or personalize the finished star drawings?
After tracing stars in several places as the instructions say, personalize by turning some stars into collages with magazine cutouts or fabric for texture, paint others with watercolor before adding outlines and highlights, or mount the best ones to make a gallery card and share on DIY.org tagging @ApersonThatDraws.