Last Updated on August 12, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Your kids want to learn how to draw an owl? This directed drawing printable comes with 6 easy steps to practice drawing skills and then color a cute big-eyed owl.
This drawing activity will be great for owl-themed studies, forest and woodland lessons, and for all families where kids adore owls!
Supplies
- Free printable (download below)
- Colored pencils or crayons
- Printer + paper
- optional, pencil
What age is this for?
This owl directed drawing works well for kids ages 4 to 8.
Younger kids around 4 and 5 can trace the shapes and color, while older kids can follow all 6 steps on their own and add their own details.
The simple shapes make it approachable for preschoolers, and the coloring is always kids’ favorite part.
Step-by-step Instructions
Print the template with steps and grab colored pencils. Kids are free to choose any color, don’t have to be realistic, as you can see I made this owl purple.
Walk through steps with your kids.
The drawing starts with the head, then eyes, then ears and body, legs, and lastly, wings. Just 6 steps, in total.
You can use a pencil first to repeat the drawing in the box on the right. Feel free to use a separate piece of paper to practice or to make a bigger drawing.
Once your sketch is done, you can color it. Final drawing can look something like this, but don’t try to make it perfect!
Fun Owl Facts for Kids
- Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around, about 270 degrees, so they can look behind them without moving their bodies.
- Most owls are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and hunt at night.
- An owl’s big eyes cannot move in their sockets, so owls turn their whole head to look around.
- Owls fly almost silently. Special soft feathers muffle the sound of their wings so they can sneak up on prey.
- A group of owls is called a parliament.
- Owls swallow small prey whole and later cough up the parts they can’t digest, like bones and fur, in a little pellet.
- Baby owls are called owlets.
- Owls live on every continent except Antarctica, from forests to deserts to snowy places.
Why kids love directed drawing
Directed drawing builds fine motor skills, teaches kids to break big drawings into simple shapes, and gives them a confidence boost when they finish.
Drawing and coloring replaces screens and is less messy than cuting, gluing, or working with clay or playdough.
Download Free Owl Drawing Printable
You will get one page pdf you can print! I also have this cute owl bookmark craft and 3D owl craft you may want to check out.
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Chiang Mai-based certified teacher, artist, and blogger with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.