Google’s Nano Banana is still the new kid on the block, but the AI image generator has quickly become popular for viral trends and strikingly real, fast images. I’ve been testing it a lot lately, and couldn’t help but see what it could do with my kids’ art. Before you call me a bad mom, note that my daughter knows I cover AI for a living and was excited to see this experiment.
I uploaded their sketches and used five different prompts to reimagine them. From photorealistic scenes to 3D toys and storybook illustrations, using Nano Banana was a lot like waving a magic wand and letting AI bring them to life. The playful way Gemini 2.5 flash model transformed their art into something magical was a lot of fun. Here are the prompts I used and the results — give them a try for yourself.
1. 3D model / toy version
Prompt: "Reimagine this child’s drawing as a 3D toy or figurine. Add realistic textures, shadows, and details that make it look like a collectible sitting on a shelf."
I wasn't sure what to expect with this first prompt, but I was pleasantly surprised by how Nano Banana brought this drawing to life. The details, especially in the face, are so clear. I think a lot of children like to imagine their drawings walking off the page, Nano Banana almost makes that dream a reality.
2. Realistic version
Prompt: "Transform this child’s drawing into a detailed, photorealistic version, keeping the shapes and colors true to the drawing but making it look like a real scene."
My daughter is always leaving sticky notes with tiny drawings all over the house. They are fun on their own, but seeing the way Nano Banana turned this image into a more realistic person was adorable.
3. Storybook style
Prompt: "Turn this child’s drawing into a whimsical illustration for a children’s storybook. Keep the playful spirit of the original lines but polish it with soft colors, textures, and a dreamy atmosphere."
This drawing has been tacked up on our family bulletin board for awhile. It was fun to see how Nano Banana turned the thumb tacks into bubbles. Just another clever way the model takes into account everything it has to work with while following the prompt.
4. Fantasy reimagining
Prompt: "Transform this child’s drawing into a magical fantasy scene. Add glowing elements, dramatic lighting, and imaginative details while staying true to the shapes and characters from the drawing."
This painting was made by my four-year-old, so who really knows what's going on here to begin with, however, Nano Banana managed to capture elements of magic within it to recreate an even more fantastical image.
5. Animated cartoon style
Prompt: "Convert this child’s drawing into a bright, animated cartoon character. Give it expressive eyes, bold outlines, and vibrant colors, as if it were part of a Saturday morning cartoon."
Another masterpiece by my four-year-old, this is a family portrait. I'm the one with the biggest hair. The cartoon Nano Banana generated looks like a fun one that I could see the family actually watching.
The takeaway
It was fun to step away from being productive with AI for a moment and use it for something a lot more fun. For those thinking about trying this on either your own art or your kids' art, one thing to keep in mind is to keep phrases like, stay true to the shapes,” “preserve the original style” and “honor the child’s design” in your prompt so it doesn’t over-polish or lose the charm.
I encourage you to try it this weekend and see what you come up with; definitely share your thoughts with me in the comments.
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