This lesson for how to draw Dutch Houses includes their interesting facades and water canal. Houses in other countries often look very different from our own.

Dutch House Drawing

How to Draw Dutch Houses: A Fun Architecture Drawing Lesson for Kids

If you’ve ever seen photos of Amsterdam, you’ve probably noticed the charming row houses that look tall, skinny, and slightly tilted—like they’re leaning in to say hello. Those are often called Dutch canal houses, and they make perfect subjects for a kid-friendly drawing lesson: simple shapes, lots of repetition, and tons of room for creative details.

This tutorial-style lesson will walk students through drawing a row of Dutch houses using easy steps—then add the fun part: windows, doors, rooflines, and all the little touches that make each building unique.

Why Dutch Houses Are So Fun to Draw

Dutch canal houses are great for elementary artists because they naturally teach:

Shape + structure: rectangles, triangles, and straight lines
Pattern + repetition: rows of windows, bricks, roof tiles
Variety within a theme: each house can be different, but still “belong” together
Perspective practice (optional): making houses look tall, or creating a street/canal scene
Details that build confidence: simple outlines can look impressive once decorated

And best of all? There’s no “one right way.” A slightly crooked roof or uneven window spacing can actually add character—just like real canal houses.

Many Dutch houses in older cities were built tall and narrow. In places like Amsterdam, land was limited and building plots were narrow, so houses grew upward. You’ll often see decorative roof shapes called gables (those fancy tops), and some homes even look like they lean a little—because old buildings settle over time.