Me in the Magic Mirror: Free Printable Worksheet for Reception

Me in the Magic Mirror is a free printable art worksheet for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children look in a mirror and tick each part of their face as they find it. Then they draw themselves and make patterns for the mirror frame. It needs only a pencil, a safe plastic mirror and the printed page.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for the adult. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Children look in a mirror and tick a checklist as they notice their eyes, eyebrows, ears and hair. Then they draw themselves in a box that works as the magic mirror. They finish by drawing patterns around the mirror frame. The sheet has a checklist to tick and boxes for drawing or notes. A grown up reads each line aloud, so no reading is needed.

• I looked at my eyes.
• I looked at my eyebrows.
• I looked at my ears.
• I looked at my hair.
• Draw me in the mirror.
• Draw patterns for the mirror frame.

What you need

Why draw a self portrait?

Give children a safe plastic mirror, not a glass one. Check that the edges are smooth. Stay close while young children use it.

Skills and curriculum link

• Looking closely
• Drawing a face
• Making patterns
• Naming parts of the face
• Using a pencil with control

Ideas to help you talk about faces

• Faces are all differentEvery face has its own shapes, colours and features. Talk about how your child's face looks different from a friend's or a family member's.
• Noticing before drawingArtists look carefully first and draw second. Let your child look in the mirror for a moment before the pencil moves.
• Shapes are everywhereFaces are made of shapes and lines. Ask which shapes your child can see, such as round, curved or long.
• Patterns repeatA pattern is something that repeats. Children can repeat a shape, a line or a colour around the frame.

Key words

• MirrorA shiny surface that shows you a picture of yourself.
• EyebrowsThe strips of hair above your eyes.
• TickA small mark that shows you have done something.
• PortraitA picture of a person. A self portrait is a picture you make of yourself.
• FrameThe border that goes around a picture or a mirror.
• PatternShapes, lines or colours that repeat again and again.

How to use it

1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself.
2. Give your child a safe plastic mirror. Read each checklist line aloud and let them look before they tick.
3. Move on to the drawing box. Ask them to look in the mirror again and draw what they see.
4. Talk about the frame patterns. Ask which shapes or lines they might repeat, then let them choose.
5. Check the notes on page 2 together. Come back to the sheet another day, because repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

Talk about it

• What can you see in the mirror? Tell me about it.
• What shape is your face? Is it the same as mine?
• What colour are your eyes? How do you know?
• Which part of your face was hardest to draw, and why?
• What pattern would you like on your mirror frame?
• If the mirror were magic, what would it do?

Take it off the page

Who it is for

Where this skill fits

Before this sheet, children often name parts of the body and make marks and shapes with crayons, pencils and paint. Talking about faces and feelings helps. So does simple drawing of people with a head, eyes and a mouth.

After this, children add more detail to drawings of people and places, and try different tools and materials. In Key Stage 1 art they use drawing to share ideas and experiences. Looking closely, as practised here, supports that.

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Me in the Magic Mirror for?

It is written for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children may enjoy it with an adult. Older children can add more detail to their drawing and frame patterns.

What will children practise?

They practise looking closely, drawing a face and making patterns. The sheet supports Expressive Arts and Design, Creating with Materials. It also gives children a reason to talk about their features.

Do we need a special mirror?

No, but use a safe plastic mirror with smooth edges rather than glass. A small hand mirror is easiest. A wall mirror at child height also works if the child can see their face clearly.

What if my child finds it hard?

Start with one part at a time. Point to it on their face, then in the mirror, and ask what shape and colour it is. Draw one feature together, then let them try the rest.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another class, or to repeat the activity on another day.

Do I need to print in colour?

No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour with crayons or pencils if they want to, especially for hair, eyes and the frame patterns.

Can teachers use it in class?

Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, a table activity, an early finisher task or part of a topic about ourselves. It needs no preparation beyond printing and finding some safe mirrors.