Have you ever found yourself stopping your kids from doodling so that they can do something more meaningful? Well, it turns out that doodling is good for kids and you should actually encourage them to do it.

Doodling isn’t just a fun way to pass the time; it’s a powerful tool for your child’s development.  Research shows that it can be particularly beneficial for their mental health and creative growth.

Let's explore some reasons why kids need to doodle and how to introduce more creative, screen-free activities into your child's life.

8 Doodling Benefits For Kids

What if we told you that some of the problems your kids experience could be solved through doodling? Yes, that's just how powerful doodling is!

Here are eight reasons why you should allow your child to doodle and how they’ll benefit from it:

1.    Self-Expression

Doodling is a safe way for kids to express their feelings and thoughts - negative and positive, without feeling like they need to be perfect. Children can doodle whatever interests them - an animal, a toy or even people.  These doodles can provide parents with a better understanding of what is going on in their children’s minds and in their lives. 

Doodles can spark conversations that give parents insights into how they can support and guide their children. For instance, a child might doodle a toy they desire, or someone they love who isn’t in their lives anymore. 

Doodling is a way for kids to express their sadness, happiness, desires and dislikes, guiding parents on the next best steps to help them.

2.    Improves Concentration

Doodling is a fun activity for kids that doesn’t involve much thinking. It keeps kids busy, and as they doodle, they focus on every detail of whatever they’re doing, enhancing their concentration levels. 

It can also benefit kids with ADHD as it helps them calm down and stops their mind from wandering. This, in return, helps the child focus so they learn new skills and develop their abilities.

3.    Stress Relief

Doodling might seem like an aimless activity, but it helps kids relax and relieves anxiety and stress. Doodling gives them a chance to be themselves without feeling any pressure to create something perfect. 

They get to choose the colours to use and the objects to doodle. Whatever they decide to draw doesn’t matter; they can simply play with their pens and pencils yet feel a sense of independence. 

As they doodle, all their fears and stresses are put aside, and they focus on enjoying the present moment. This helps them feel better and lifts their mood, improving their mental wellness.

4.    Boosts Confidence

Engaging in creative activities like doodling can significantly boost your child's self-esteem. A study commissioned by Crayola found that 92% of children believe that being creative helps with confidence. This confidence can translate into other areas of their lives, encouraging them to take on new challenges with a positive mindset.

When a child creates something - even a simple doodle - they experience a sense of accomplishment. This builds confidence, particularly in kids who struggle with self-esteem.  The liberty to be creative as they doodle also helps them to develop creative ways of dealing with day-to-day aspects of their lives.  This may give them the courage to face new challenges and try new activities.

5.    Counteracts Screen Time

With screens dominating kids’ lives, doodling offers a refreshing, unplugged activity that doesn’t overstimulate their developing brains.  The rhythmic and freeform nature of doodling encourages mindfulness, helping children to slow down and focus on the present moment.

Research about screen time for kids suggests that regular use of devices may impact children’s physical health, nutrition, social and emotional development, and parent-child interactions.

Finding outdoor activities or opportunities for creative play – whether it’s as simple as doodling, colouring or modelling with clay - are healthier options for your child’s mind, behaviour and overall wellbeing.

6.    Talent Discovery

Doodling allows kids to be as creative as they can be. As they doodle, parents and guardians can help discover talents in areas such as animation, illustration, graphic design and other arts-related talents. Parents can then help in nurturing and developing a child’s creative skills from a young age, and who knows how far they’ll go with their talent and the right support?

7.    Enhances Critical Thinking

Doodling has been found to help with stopping the mind from wandering. As such, kids can focus more on what they are doing and tap into their subconscious. This helps them get into deep thinking – a key to conceiving great ideas and solving complex problems in life.

8.    Memorisation

Does your child struggle with recalling stuff? Well, maybe you should have them try doodling. Recent research has found that children internalise drawings better than written words. The 2024 study found that children who drew retained information for longer than those who wrote. 

Therefore, doodling is a fun and effective tool for learning that can be used at home and school.

How to Introduce Your Kids to Doodling

Now, you might be asking What if my child isn’t into doodling?  The good news is that you can still introduce them to doodling and, within no time, they’ll be having lots of fun. 

Here are some tips to try when introducing your little ones to doodling:

Make Doodling a Daily Habit

Keep pens and paper handy and encourage kids to doodle while waiting for meals, on car rides, or during downtime.

Use Reusable Drawing Mats

Little Change Creators’ silicone drawing mats allow kids to doodle endlessly, wipe clean, and start again - making creativity both sustainable and screen-free.

Another great thing about these sets is that they’re lightweight and compact, making them easy to pack for day trips and family travels.

Create a Doodle Journal

Encourage kids to keep a daily doodle journal where they can sketch their thoughts, dreams, or anything that comes to mind.

Turn Doodles into Stories

Ask your child to explain their doodles and help them turn their sketches into creative stories. This not only strengthens language skills but also boosts your child’s imagination.

Let the Scribbles Begin!

 Doodling isn’t just child’s play - it’s a vital part of mental and creative development. Whether your child struggles with focus, needs a healthy emotional outlet, or just loves to create, doodling can make a big impact.

In this era where parents and guardians struggle to engage their kids in screen-free activities, doodling comes in handy. Your child will be having fun and acquiring other helpful skills as they doodle - talk about killing two birds with one stone, huh!

So, the next time you see your child lost in a swirl of lines and squiggles, know that they’re doing something powerful for their mind. What’s the first thing your child will doodle today?

FAQs

How does doodling help kids with ADHD?

Doodling can improve focus and reduce fidgeting, making it useful for kids with ADHD who struggle with attention in structured settings.

Is there a right or wrong way to doodle?

Absolutely not! Doodling is all about free expression, so there are no rules - just creativity and fun.

Can doodling help kids with anxiety?

Yes! Doodling has been shown to lower stress levels and provide a calming effect, making it a great emotional regulation tool for anxious kids.

What materials are best for encouraging doodling?

Simple tools like pencils, pens and markers are our preference.  However, there are clever digital drawing apps available.  Reusable colouring mats from brands like Little Change Creators also offer a sustainable way to doodle endlessly without wasting paper.

How can I encourage my child to doodle more?

Make doodling a part of their daily routine, provide them with the tools, and show enthusiasm for their creative efforts!