How to Draw a Christmas Cracker (Easy Step by Step)
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A Christmas cracker looks a lot like a wrapped candy, which makes it a friendly shape to draw. It is built from a wide rounded middle, two wavy paper ends, and a row of bows and diamonds across the center. Once you can draw those pieces, you can decorate your own cracker any way you like.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a Christmas cracker step by step
How to Draw a Christmas Cracker · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: Top of the cracker
Draw a long, gently curved line across the top. At each end, bend it down with a short slanted side, and leave the sides open at the bottom.
Step 3: Bottom of the cracker
Draw a matching curved line along the bottom. Start it where the slanted sides stop, so the middle becomes a fat, rounded barrel shape with a gap on each side.
Step 4: Left paper end
On the left, draw one wavy line that starts at the top gap, bumps up and down along the outside, then curves back in to the bottom gap. It looks like crinkly paper flaring out like a fan.
Step 5: Right paper end
Do the same on the right side: one wavy line from the top gap, bumping along the outside and curving back to the bottom gap. Try to make it a mirror of the left end.
Step 6: Neck curves
On each side, draw a small curved hook that joins the top and bottom of the paper end to the middle. These close the gaps and make the squeezed neck of the cracker.
Step 7: Bows and diamonds
Across the middle, draw a small bow with two puffy loops on each side. Between the bows, draw little diamond shapes joined by short straight lines.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your Christmas cracker? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a yule log cake or how to draw a gingerbread reindeer next.
Tips for drawing a Christmas cracker
- Draw the middle first and leave room on both sides, so the paper ends have space to flare out.
- The wavy ends are the trickiest part. Sketch the bumps lightly with a pencil first, then go over them with a darker line.
- For the center, draw the bows on each side first, then fit the little diamonds in the space between them.
Free Christmas cracker coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this Christmas cracker coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your Christmas cracker drawing
Try bright red and green stripes on the middle with gold diamonds, which feels very Christmassy. Color the paper ends a different bright color so they stand out.
Christmas cracker fun fact for kids
Christmas crackers were invented in London in the 1840s by a candy maker named Tom Smith. He got the idea for the snap from the crackle of a log fire.
Questions about drawing a Christmas cracker
What shapes do I need to draw a Christmas cracker?
You need a wide barrel shape for the middle, two fan-shaped ends with wavy edges, and a few small loops and diamonds for the decoration.
How do I make the ends look like crinkled paper?
Draw a wavy line along the outer edge, with bumps about the same size. Keeping the bumps even makes the paper look neat.
How do I make my cracker look more festive?
Color the middle with stripes, dots, or stars, and color the ends in a different bright color. A few snowflakes drawn around it also help.
