How to Draw a Bird Nest: Easy 10-Step Guide for Kids

Bring nature into your sketchbook with this simple bird nest tutorial, perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. You only need a pencil, an eraser, and your favorite coloring tools to get started. Follow these steps to master organic textures and create a cozy home for your bird drawings.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A completed, colorful drawing of a bird nest with three speckled eggs inside.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Outer Rim

Pencil sketch showing the top jagged rim of a bird nest using short, irregular curved lines.

Start by sketching the top edge of the nest using short, jagged, overlapping curves. Teacher's Tip: Don't worry about making these lines perfect; nests are made of messy twigs, so the more irregular your lines are, the more realistic it will look!

Step 2: Defining the Nest Shape

Drawing the full rounded bowl shape of the bird nest using textured, jagged pencil strokes.

Continue adding those short, jagged lines downward to create the rounded bowl shape of the nest. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the shape if it starts looking too symmetrical.

Step 3: Adding Interior Texture

Adding interior texture lines to the bird nest to show depth and woven materials.

Add depth by drawing a few more jagged, curved lines inside the bowl of the nest. This creates the illusion of layered straw and twigs. Tip: Vary the length of your strokes to make the nest look woven.

Step 4: Sketching the First Egg

Drawing a single oval egg shape inside the nest with one end narrower than the other.

Draw your first egg as a simple oval. Make one end slightly narrower than the other to give it a natural, organic look. Tip: Place this egg slightly off-center to leave room for more.

Step 5: Adding the Second Egg

Adding a second oval egg shape next to the first one inside the nest.

Draw a second egg next to the first one, using the same oval technique. Tip: Let the eggs touch or overlap slightly to make the composition feel more realistic.

Step 6: Placing the Third Egg

Sketching a third egg partially hidden behind the first two to create depth.

Draw a third egg tucked behind the first two. Only draw the visible portion of the oval. Tip: This creates 'depth of field,' making your drawing look 3D rather than flat.

Step 7: Refining the Nest Interior

Adding more detailed jagged lines around the eggs to show texture and depth.

Add more small, jagged lines around the eggs to show the nest material surrounding them. Tip: Focus on the areas where the eggs meet the nest to make them look like they are sitting securely inside.

Step 8: Cleaning Up Your Lines

Erasing overlapping guidelines to make the eggs appear clearly in the foreground.

Carefully erase any pencil lines that cross over the eggs. This makes the eggs look like they are sitting in front of the nest structure. Tip: Use a kneaded eraser if you have one—it’s great for lifting graphite without smudging.

Step 9: Final Texturing

Adding final texture details and loose twig lines to the exterior of the nest.

Add a few final 'twig' marks on the outside of the nest to give it a finished, rugged look. Tip: Use quick, flicking motions with your pencil to create the look of loose straw ends.

Step 10: Bring It to Life with Color

Finished bird nest drawing colored with earthy tones and speckled eggs.

Time to color! Use earthy browns and tans for the nest. For the eggs, try light blue, speckled white, or even pale green. Tip: Use a darker brown pencil to add shadows under the eggs to make them pop!