Random Things to Draw

What it does

Each time you press Next, this tool hands you a random drawing idea. Ideas come from ten categories – animals, food, objects, nature, vehicles, buildings, people, fantasy creatures, actions and holidays – and range from easy to hard. We wrote every idea ourselves, and every one is something you can actually put on paper.

Play mode turns the same ideas into a party game, with a hidden card, a round timer and scores for two teams.

How to use it

1. Choose categories. Tap the chips you want, or leave them all on for a mix.
2. Pick a difficulty. Easy ideas are simple shapes anyone can sketch. Hard ideas need more detail or a clever way to show them.
3. Set the age rating. Ideas for kids and teens show by default. Turn on adults for an older group.
4. Press Next for a new idea, or open list view to see several at once.
5. For a game, start play mode. The idea appears on a full-screen card. Choose a 30, 60 or 90-second timer and turn on hide word, so only the drawer sees it. Tap or swipe for the next card, press Skip if you're stuck, and keep score for two teams.

How to play the drawing game

A draw-and-guess game needs paper or a whiteboard, a pen and at least three people.

1. Split into two teams. One player from the first team is the drawer.
2. The drawer taps the hidden card to see the word, then starts the timer.
3. Draw, don't talk. The drawer sketches clues while teammates guess out loud. No letters, numbers or spoken hints – just pictures. Arrows and circles are fine.
4. Score a point for a correct guess before time runs out. Then the other team takes a turn with a new card.
5. Play an agreed number of rounds. The team with more points wins.

For a calmer version, skip the teams. Everyone draws the same idea at once, then you compare the results.

Ways to use random drawing ideas

Daily sketch practice

One random idea a day is a simple habit. Set a timer, draw whatever comes up, and look back at your sketches after a few weeks.

Art lessons

Pick one category, such as vehicles or buildings, and have the whole class draw the same idea. Everyone's version will look different, which makes a great talking point.

Party drawing game

Play mode handles the timer, the hidden word and the score. All you need is paper and pens.

Beating a creative block

When you can't decide what to draw, let the tool decide for you. Combine two ideas, such as an animal and a vehicle, for something stranger.

Quiet time for kids

Easy ideas from the animals or food categories make a calm activity for a rainy afternoon.

Tips

• Draw fast first. A 30-second sketch teaches you to spot the shapes that matter.
• Keep the word hidden in play mode until the drawer is ready.
• Stuck on an idea? Press Skip or Next. There's no penalty outside a game.
• Want more subjects? The random noun generator gives you endless objects and animals, and random coloring pages are ready to print.
• Prefer acting? Switch to the charades generator for the same kind of game without paper.