How to Create Cute Children Illustrations Using ChatGPT
I’ve been creating illustrations for my kid’s projects lately, and I stumbled upon something amazing. ChatGPT can generate the most adorable children’s illustrations that look like they came straight from a picture book.
My daughter needed some artwork for her school presentation, and I thought I’d give ChatGPT’s image generation a try. What I got back was better than anything I could have drawn myself.
ChatGPT has a knack for creating doodle-style illustrations that kids absolutely love. The AI understands how to make characters look friendly and approachable. It knows exactly what elements make an illustration feel childlike and fun.
You can create images at chatgpt.com. If you’re looking for more free image generations, try copilot.microsoft.com. It uses the same image model as ChatGPT and gives free users more chances to create images.
Create Your Template Prompt
I’ve developed a template that works perfectly for children’s illustrations. Here’s the formula I use:
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of [describe the subject: e.g., two smiling children, a happy dog, a family, a classroom, etc.]. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as [plants, stars, balloons, simple shapes, etc.] for extra charm. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
Let me break this down for you:
“Playful doodle-style illustration”
This tells ChatGPT you want something fun and hand-drawn looking. Not realistic or professional, but cute and approachable.
“Thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features”
This creates that classic children’s book look. Think of how kids draw people – simple lines and basic shapes.
“Bright solid colors with soft pastel fills”
This combination gives you vibrant artwork that’s not too overwhelming. The pastel fills keep it soft and gentle.
“Minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful”
These keywords ensure the illustration stays simple and happy. No complex details that might confuse young viewers.
“Small decorative elements”
These add charm without cluttering the image. Stars, hearts, flowers – little touches that make kids smile.
“Plain white background”
This keeps the focus on your characters and makes the illustration easy to use in different contexts.
15 Example Prompts
Here are specific prompts you can copy and paste right into ChatGPT. These examples follow the template prompt.
1. Children with Balloons
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of two smiling children holding colorful balloons. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as tiny stars and confetti around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
2. Happy Family
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of a happy family of four standing together with their pet dog. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as plants and little hearts around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
3. Football Fun
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of two smiling children kicking a football. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as grass and little colorful shapes around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
4. Teacher and Students
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of a smiling teacher standing with two cheerful students. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as books and pencils around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
5. Rainy Day Girl
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of a smiling girl holding a bright umbrella. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative raindrops and a rainbow above her. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
6. Swing Time
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of two happy children sitting on a swing. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as leaves and flowers around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
7. Kite Flying
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of a smiling boy holding a kite string with a colorful kite flying above. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative clouds and birds around him. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
8. Reading Together
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of two smiling children sitting side by side reading books. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as stars and alphabet letters floating around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
9. Dancing Kids
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of three smiling children dancing joyfully together. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative musical notes and stars around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
10. Ice Cream Treats
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of a smiling boy and girl holding ice creams. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as sunshine and tiny hearts around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
11. Bicycle Ride
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of two smiling children riding colorful bicycles. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative elements such as flowers and butterflies around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
12. Sandcastle Builders
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of two smiling children building a sandcastle together. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative seashells and waves around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
13. Reading Under the Tree
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of a smiling boy sitting under a tree reading a book. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative leaves and birds around him. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
14. Playing with Puppy
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of two smiling children playing with a small puppy. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative paw prints and flowers around them. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
15. Jump Rope Fun
Create a playful doodle-style illustration of a smiling girl skipping rope. Use thin black sketchy outlines, simple stick-like features, and bright solid colors with soft pastel fills. Keep the design minimalistic, childlike, and cheerful. Add small decorative stars and flowers around her. The background should be plain white for a clean look.
Tips for Success
- Start simple. Pick one of these prompts and see what ChatGPT creates. You can always ask for modifications if you want something changed.
- If you need the illustration for a specific purpose, mention it. Say “for a children’s book” or “for a school poster” to help ChatGPT understand the context.
- Save the prompts that work well for you. You’ll want to use them again with different subjects.
- These illustrations work great for school projects, children’s books, educational materials, or just fun art for kids’ rooms. The doodle style makes everything feel approachable and fun.
- Try different combinations of the decorative elements too. Mix stars with flowers, or add rainbows to any scene. ChatGPT is pretty good at incorporating these extras naturally.
- The white background makes these illustrations perfect for adding to documents, presentations, or printing as standalone art. You don’t have to worry about backgrounds clashing with your project.
I hope this helps you create some wonderful illustrations for the kids in your life. They’re going to love seeing their ideas come to life in such a charming, childlike style.
