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The Fixes / How to Draw / Nutcracker
Christmas & winter · Grades 6–8 · 16 steps

How to Draw a Nutcracker

Nutcracker Guard from The Drawing Fix™. An easy step-by-step drawing for Grades 6–8. Draw it with your class in about 20 minutes, one step at a time. Free to use and print. No sign-up.

By Christopher Allen · Ontario elementary educator16 stepsAbout 20 minutesUpdated Nov 5, 2026
Run it on the projector →Printable step sheet (PDF)

A challenge drawing for older students. Structure first, detail last. Good practice for line control, proportion and slowing down.

Before you start: a pencil, an eraser, a sheet of paper and something to colour with.

Draw lightly at first. Dark lines come at the end, once the shapes look right.

Step-by-step: how to draw a nutcracker

  1. Step 1. Tall hat

    Draw the tall hat.

  2. Step 2. Hat band and plate

    Add a band and a star plate on the hat.

  3. Step 3. Plume

    Draw the feather plume on top.

  4. Step 4. Face

    Draw the round face under the hat.

  5. Step 5. Eyes and nose

    Add the eyes and a round nose.

  6. Step 6. Mustache

    Draw the big curled mustache.

  7. Step 7. Mouth

    Add the smile.

  8. Step 8. Coat

    Draw the coat.

  9. Step 9. Collar and buttons

    Add the collar and three buttons.

  10. Step 10. Belt

    Add the belt with a buckle.

  11. Step 11. Arms and hands

    Draw both arms and round hands.

  12. Step 12. Legs

    Draw two straight legs.

  13. Step 13. Boots

    Add two boots.

  14. Step 14. Base

    Draw the platform underneath.

  15. Step 15. Sword

    Add the sword at his side.

  16. Step 16. Create

    Make one part completely yours.

The pink line is the new part in each step.

Make it theirs

  • Add falling snow with dots or tiny stars.
  • Draw a second, smaller one beside it.
  • Fold the paper and turn it into a card for someone at home.
  • Colour last. There is no wrong colour for a nutcracker.

Teaching it with the projector

The projector version draws each step slowly on the board, pauses while students copy it, then checks in before the next step. Nobody has to talk, so you are free to walk around and help.

Quick Fix: 12 steps, about 10 minutes. Good for a brain break or the last few minutes before recess. Full Focus: all 16 steps, about 20 minutes, with the extra detail.

Open Nutcracker Guard on the projector → It works on any classroom screen. No accounts, no student names, no ads.

Curriculum connections

Visual arts: the elements of design (line, shape, space and proportion) and creating art for a purpose. Language: listening to and following multi-step directions. Directed drawing also builds fine motor control and focus.

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