Drawing birds is a fun and engaging activity for preschoolers. At this young age, kids are beginning to develop their fine motor skills and artistry. Drawing simple birds allows them to practice basic shapes and lines, while also stimulating their creativity. The key when teaching preschoolers to draw birds is to break it down into easy, manageable steps. You’ll also want to keep things fun and positive, which means being patient and offering encouragement along the way. With some simple techniques and step-by-step guidance, you can teach preschoolers to draw cute, age-appropriate birds.
Why Draw Birds with Preschoolers?
Here are some of the key benefits of drawing birds with preschool aged kids:
- It develops fine motor control – Using pencils, crayons, and markers helps strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers.
- Enhances focus and concentration – Following step-by-step instructions requires attention and focus.
- Sparks creativity – Drawing allows kids to express their imagination.
- Teaches shapes – Circles, triangles, ovals, and more are the building blocks of drawing birds.
- Builds confidence – Successfully drawing a bird gives kids a sense of pride and achievement.
Even simple drawing activities can support preschoolers’ development in many ways. And of course, it’s just plain fun!
Step-by-Step Instructions
When teaching preschoolers to draw a bird, it’s best to break it down into manageable chunks. Take it slow and provide guidance each step of the way. Here are some step-by-step instructions you can follow:
Materials Needed
- Paper
- Pencils, crayons, and/or markers
- Eraser (optional)
Step 1: Draw a large oval shape for the bird’s body
– Use a pencil to lightly draw a large oval shape near the middle of the paper.
– You can make it more vertical like an egg shape, or wider horizontally.
– Lightly sketch so it’s easy to erase if needed.
Step 2: Add a triangle shape for the beak
– At one end of the oval, draw an upside down triangle shape for the beak.
– Keep it simple by just making three straight connected lines.
Step 3: Add a small circle for the eye
– Above the beak, draw a small circle for the eye.
– You can fill it in or leave it blank.
Step 4: Draw the feet
– At the other end of the oval, opposite the beak, draw two short parallel lines for the feet.
– Point them downward at an angle.
Step 5: Add details and color
– Go over the pencil lightly with crayons or markers.
– Erase any stray pencil marks.
– You can add details like wings, eyebrows, feathers, etc.
– Encourage kids to be creative and make each bird unique!
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some common challenges that may come up, along with suggestions for troubleshooting:
Issue: Shaky lines
– Remind child to use light pressure and “draw slowly.”
– Have them place pinky finger on table to steady hand.
– Try larger papers to allow bigger movements.
Issue: Beak/feet pointed wrong way
– Gently demonstrate correct angle and direction.
– Assure them everyone makes mistakes and to keep trying.
– Let them turn paper around to reset angle.
Issue: Having a hard time erasing
– Make sure pencil marks are very light.
– Try kneaded eraser that shapes to spot erase.
– Show them how to flip paper over and erase through back.
Issue: Getting frustrated
– Offer lots of praise for effort and patience.
– Take a little break to reset.
– Remind them that learning any new skill takes time and practice.
– Emphasize enjoying the process, not just the final product.
Adding More Details
Once preschoolers have mastered the basics of drawing a simple bird, you can encourage them to add more details and get creative. Here are some easy embellishments they can try:
Wings
– Add sideways V shapes on each side of body for wings
Feet
– Turn feet into claws by adding “talons”
– Add backwards V’s for toes
Tail Feathers
– Draw fanned out lines coming from back of body
– Or just a sideways V shape
Face
– Add eyebrows over the eye
– Give your bird a smile with a curved beak
Patterned Feathers
– Draw scalloped lines across the body for feathers
– Or dots and stripes for fun patterns
Let kids use their creativity when adding details like these. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making each little bird unique!
Different Types of Birds to Draw
Once preschoolers have mastered a basic bird, encourage them to draw different types of birds. Here are a few easy options:
Owl
– Make the body a horizontal oval
– Add owl eyes: two large circles with small circles inside
– Draw triangles for owl ears
Flamingo
– Curve the neck upwards from the oval body
– Add skinny legs
– Draw a big curvy beak
Penguin
– Do an oval body and triangular beak
– Add flippers for wings
– Draw feet close together pointing down
Parrot
– Curved beak instead of triangle
– Add some spikes on top of head for crest
– Give bright, colorful feathers
Get creative and think of different types of birds native to your area that kids can try drawing as well.
Making a Collection of Bird Drawings
Once preschoolers get comfortable drawing birds, they can make a whole collection of different kinds! Here are some ways to expand on the activity over time:
- Do bird drawing stations during free time
- Create a classroom bird gallery by displaying their artwork
- Send home “bird drawing kits” with paper and coloring supplies
- Have each child create a personal bird drawing book
- Go outside and draw birds you see around your area
Drawing birds taps into preschoolers’ natural creativity and curiosity. Nurture their artistic development and skills by providing fun, engaging drawing activities featuring our feathered friends.
Conclusion
Drawing birds is a wonderful artistic activity for preschool aged children. By breaking down bird drawing into simple steps, providing encouragement, and letting them add creative embellishments, you can guide preschoolers to draw cute, age-appropriate birds. This engages their developing fine motor skills, sparks imagination, and gives them a sense of pride in creating art. Extend the activity by drawing different types of birds, creating a class art gallery, making drawing books, and more. With some patience and the right approach, bird drawing can be both enjoyable and educational for preschoolers.
