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

Ready to bring a cheeky safari friend to life? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 7+ looking to practice character design. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and your favorite markers to create a expressive, spotted hyena.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A friendly, cartoon-style hyena standing, fully colored and ready for a safari adventure.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Eyes and Nose

Close-up sketch of hyena eyes and nose showing pupil placement and nostril detail.

Start by sketching the hyena's face. Draw two irregular rounded shapes for the eyes and a small nose. Inside the eyes, draw two circles—one large, one small—and shade the space between to create a pupil. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light here so you can refine the shapes later.

Step 2: Defining the Face Outline

Pencil outline of the hyena's face shape and open mouth contour.

Use smooth, curved lines to outline the face. Focus on the muzzle area and the open mouth. Tip: Add a few jagged, short lines along the jaw to represent the hyena's scruffy fur texture.

Step 3: Adding Teeth and Tongue

Detailed sketch of hyena teeth and tongue inside the open mouth.

Draw triangular shapes for the teeth inside the jaw. Make the canine teeth slightly longer to give your hyena a classic, playful look. Add a curved line for the tongue. Tip: Use a steady hand to keep the teeth sharp and distinct.

Step 4: Drawing the Ears

Sketch showing the addition of large rounded ears and fur tufts on the head.

Draw two large, rounded ears using long curved lines. Connect the tops with 'U' shaped lines to show the inner ear structure. Tip: Add a tuft of fur between the ears to make the head look more realistic.

Step 5: Neck and Front Leg

Drawing the neck, chest, and first front leg of the hyena.

Use overlapping curved lines to sketch the neck and chest. Draw a pair of lines for the front leg, ending in small, overlapping 'U' shapes for the toes. Tip: Vary the length of your lines to create a natural, furry appearance.

Step 6: The Back and Tail

Sketching the sloping back and bushy tail of the hyena.

Draw a long, sloping line for the back and a curved line for the tail. Tip: Hyenas have a distinct sloping back, so try to make the line angle downward toward the tail.

Step 7: Belly and Second Front Leg

Adding the belly line and the second front leg to the drawing.

Sketch the belly with soft, curved lines and add the second front leg. Ensure the paw matches the first one for consistency. Tip: Use short, quick strokes to suggest fur along the belly line.

Step 8: Drawing the Rear Legs

Adding the powerful rear legs and paws to the hyena body.

Sketch the rear legs using thicker, curved lines to show the muscle structure. Connect them at the bottom with small, overlapping curves for the paws. Tip: The rear legs should look slightly more powerful than the front ones.

Step 9: Mane and Spots

Adding the neck mane and spotted pattern to the hyena's body.

Draw jagged lines along the back of the neck to create the mane. Add various circles and ovals across the body for the hyena's signature spots. Tip: Don't make the spots too uniform; random placement looks more natural.

Step 10: Coloring Your Hyena

Final colored cartoon hyena with brown and cream fur and dark spots.

Bring your drawing to life with color! Use shades of brown, cream, and grey. Keep the spots darker than the base coat. Tip: Use a light brown for the main body and a darker brown or grey for the spots to create contrast.