How to Draw a Teddy Bear Step by Step
Step 1: Draw the Top of the Head
Start near the top middle of your paper. Draw a wide, gentle curve that looks like an upside-down “U”. This is the top of your teddy bear’s head. Leave plenty of space below it, because the body will go there.
Step 2: Draw the Sides of the Head and the Cheeks
From each end of the curve, draw a line going down. Halfway down, let each line bulge out a little to make a small cheek bump. Chubby cheeks are what make a teddy bear look soft and huggable. Keep the bottom open for now.
Step 3: Draw the Ears
Add two round ears on the top corners of the head. Each ear is like a half circle that starts and ends on the head line. Try to make both ears the same size.
Step 4: Join the Ears Neatly to the Head
Look at where each ear meets the head. Erase any extra pencil lines inside the ears and make the joins neat. A small fluffy notch where the ear touches the head makes it look like a soft toy.
Step 5: Draw the Eyes
Draw two small ovals for the eyes, a little below the middle of the head. Place them wide apart, because wide eyes look cuter. Check that both eyes sit on the same level.
Step 6: Add Shine to the Eyes
Color the eyes black, but leave a tiny white dot at the top of each one. This little shine makes the eyes look alive and sparkly.
Step 7: Draw the Nose
Between and just below the eyes, draw a small sideways oval. This is the nose. Keep it centered so the face looks balanced.
Step 8: Fill the Nose and Draw the Smile
Color the nose black and leave a small shine, just like the eyes. Then draw a short line down from the nose. At the bottom, add two little curves going out to each side to make a happy smile.
Step 9: Draw the Muzzle
Draw a wide, round shape around the nose and mouth. This is the muzzle, or snout. It should be a little wider than the space between the eyes.
Step 10: Draw the Body
From under each cheek, draw a long curved line going down and slightly outward. Together they make a round, pear-shaped body. Teddy bears are chunky, so make the body wider than the head.
Step 11: Draw the Inner Arm Lines
Inside the body, draw two shorter curved lines, one on each side. These show where the arms are resting against the tummy.
Step 12: Draw the Arms and Paws
Now shape each arm. Follow the side of the body down and finish with a round paw at the bottom, then curve back up to meet the inner arm line. Your bear’s arms should look like they are hanging down by its sides.
Step 13: Draw the Feet
Your teddy is sitting down, so we see the bottoms of its feet. Draw two big circles at the bottom corners of the body. Connect them with a gentle curve to close the bottom of the body.
Step 14: Add Paw Pads
On each foot, draw one oval pad near the bottom and three small toe beans above it. Paw pads are a tiny detail, but kids love them.
Step 15: Draw the Tummy and the Hair Tuft
Draw a big rounded oval in the middle of the body for the tummy patch. Then add a little zigzag tuft of fur on top of the head. This tuft gives your bear lots of personality.
Step 16: Draw the Ground
Draw a slightly curved line on each side of the bear, at the level of the feet. Now your teddy is sitting on the ground instead of floating in the air.
Step 17: Add Some Grass
On the ground line, draw a few small spiky tufts of grass on both sides. Use quick zigzag lines. You don’t need many, just two or three bunches.
Step 18: Draw the Inner Ears
Inside each ear, draw a smaller curve that follows the shape of the ear. This adds depth and makes the ears look soft.
Step 19: Trace the Final Outline
Go over all your pencil lines with a black marker or pen. Wait a minute for the ink to dry, then gently erase any leftover pencil marks. Your teddy bear outline is done!
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- The ears are too far apart. Keep the ears on the top corners of the head, not on the sides. If they slide down to the sides, your bear starts to look like a mouse.
- The eyes are too high. Teddy bears look cutest when the eyes sit a little below the middle of the head. High eyes make the face look grown-up.
- The body is too thin. A teddy bear should be round and chunky. Make the body wider than the head.
- Lines are pressed too hard. Dark pencil lines are hard to erase. Sketch lightly and only press hard when you use the marker.
- Both sides don’t match. After each step, look at both sides of your bear. If one ear or cheek is bigger, fix it now, because it’s harder later.
Fun Ways to Change Your Teddy Bear
Once you can draw this teddy bear, try giving it a twist:
- Teddy bear with a heart: draw a red heart between the paws instead of the tummy patch. Great for Valentine’s Day and Teddy Day (February 10).
- Sleepy teddy bear: replace the eyes with two small downward curves and add a little “Zzz”.
- Teddy bear with a bow: add a bow tie under the chin or a bow on one ear.
- Birthday teddy: put a party hat on its head and draw a balloon next to it.
More Coloring Pages: Bear Coloring Pages
Tips for Kids and Beginners
- Turn your paper as you draw curves. It’s easier to draw a curve in the direction your hand moves naturally.
- If you’re drawing with a younger child, let them do the “fun” steps like the eyes, toe beans, and grass while you help with the body.
- Teachers: print the 20-step sheet and project it on the board so the whole class can follow along.
A Little Teddy Bear History
The teddy bear got its name from a real US president. In 1902, President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was on a hunting trip and refused to shoot a bear that had been tied to a tree, saying it wasn’t fair. A newspaper cartoon about the story became popular, and a toy shop owner in Brooklyn made a stuffed bear and called it “Teddy’s bear.” Around the same time, a German toy company was also making stuffed bears. More than a hundred years later, the teddy bear is still one of the most loved toys in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to draw a teddy bear?
Start with simple shapes. Draw a round head, two half-circle ears, a pear-shaped body, and two big circles for the feet. Then add the face and small details. Following steps where the new lines are highlighted, like the ones above, makes it much easier.
How long does it take to draw a teddy bear?
Most kids finish this teddy bear drawing in about 15–20 minutes, including coloring. Beginners might take a little longer on the first try.
Can a 5-year-old draw this teddy bear?
Yes. Every step adds only one or two simple shapes. Younger kids may need help with the body and arms, but they can easily do the eyes, nose, paw pads, and grass on their own.
How do I draw a cute teddy bear face?
Put the eyes wide apart and slightly below the middle of the head. Add a small white shine in each eye, a small nose, and a round muzzle. Big round cheeks also make the face look cuter.
What colors should I use for a teddy bear?
Classic teddy bears are warm brown with a light tan muzzle, tummy, and paw pads. But you can use any colors you like, such as pink, blue, white, or even a rainbow bear.
How do I make my teddy bear look fluffy?
Add a small zigzag tuft on top of the head and a few short zigzag lines along the edges of the body and ears. When coloring, use a slightly darker brown near the edges to make it look soft and round.