Back to School Roll and Draw Directed Drawing Game First Week of School Drawing

This Back to School Roll and Draw Directed Drawing Game is a playful, low-prep first week of school art activity for elementary classrooms and homeschool learners. Students roll a die and follow the drawing prompts, and each roll adds a different part to the picture, so every student's artwork turns out unique.

The games feature classic school-themed drawings such as backpacks, school buses, apples, pencils, globes and scissors. Students practice drawing skills, creativity and artistic confidence while the classroom energy stays positive and relaxed during those first days back.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “My students have loved this roll and draw. We worked on one as a class to introduce it and now they get to complete one when they finish early.” Melissa L.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• School-themed Roll and Draw games: School Bus, Backpack, Apple, Pencil, Crayons, Globe, Scissors and additional school-themed Roll and Draw activities
• A Roll and Draw game page for each activity, where students roll a die and follow the drawing prompts
• A blank drawing page for each activity, where students create their finished artwork
• Student title page for making a Roll and Draw booklet
• Teacher assessment rubric
• Student reflection page

HOW TO USE IT

Print the Roll and Draw game page for each student and give them a pencil, eraser and drawing materials (markers, crayons or colored pencils). Students need one standard six-sided die, and they can work alone, with a partner or share dice at their tables. You can also display the sheet on the board or projector, and print extra pages for students who want to play again.

Students roll, find the number on the Roll and Draw chart, draw the matching part, and keep rolling until the drawing is complete. Then they color it and add backgrounds or details. Use the pages one at a time or combine them into a Back to School Roll and Draw booklet for the first weeks of school, for icebreakers, art centers, early finishers, sub plans or homeschool art.

FAQ

What is a Roll and Draw activity?

A drawing game where students roll a die and follow the drawing prompt for the number they rolled. Each roll adds a new part, so students build a complete themed illustration step by step.

Who can use it?

Classroom teachers, homeschool educators, art teachers, substitute teachers and enrichment programs. It is especially popular with elementary students.

How long does it take?

Most classes finish a drawing in 15 to 30 minutes, depending on student age, class time and how much detail students add.

What skills do students practice?

Drawing, creativity, following directions, fine motor skills, visual problem solving and artistic confidence.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured educator on the cover of OCO Magazine (October 2025). She designs art lessons for kids and educational resources used by teachers and homeschool families around the world. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. For clip art, you may use it as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★ “This was a great resource to use to reinforce the skill.” Diving i.

★★★★ “My class loved these! They were used during daily math rotations for an independent activity after the lesson of the day.” Kimberly S.

★★★★ “My students all loved it! was a easy art activity for when they completed everything for the moment.” Emily A.