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how to draw a cell

How to draw a cell - a free cell drawing guide

Draw and label a detailed plant or animal cell using paper, pencils, and colors, identifying nucleus, membrane, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and mitochondria.

Table of contents

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Photos of cell drawing examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a cell

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How to Draw an Animal Cell - Step by Step - With a Small Test - Draw and Learn

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, coloring materials (crayons markers or colored pencils), ruler, black pen or fine-liner

Step 1

Decide whether you will draw a plant cell or an animal cell.

Step 2

Write the name of your chosen cell as the title at the top of the page.

Step 3

Lightly sketch the outer shape with your pencil: a rounded rectangle for a plant cell or an oval for an animal cell.

Step 4

Draw the cell membrane as a thin line just inside the outer shape.

Step 5

Lightly shade or dot the space inside the membrane to show the cytoplasm.

Step 6

Draw a large circle for the nucleus and add a smaller circle inside for the nucleolus.

Step 7

Draw three to six bean-shaped mitochondria and add squiggly lines inside each one.

Step 8

If you chose a plant cell draw several small oval chloroplasts with tiny stacks inside them; if you chose an animal cell write “No chloroplasts in animal cells” near your drawing.

Step 9

If you chose a plant cell draw a big central vacuole as a large oval; if you chose an animal cell draw a few small scattered vacuoles.

Step 10

Color each organelle a different color so they stand out from each other.

Step 11

Draw straight lines from each organelle to a clear spot for its label.

Step 12

Write the name beside each label for at least: nucleus; cell membrane; cytoplasm; mitochondria; chloroplasts (or note that chloroplasts are absent if you drew an animal cell).

Step 13

Take a photo of your finished cell and share your creation on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have colored pencils or a camera to finish and share the cell drawing?

If you don't have colored pencils, use crayons, markers, or watercolor paints to color each organelle differently, and if you don't have a camera use a smartphone or flatbed scanner to take a photo of your finished cell to upload to DIY.org.

My outer shape or label lines look messy—how can I fix common drawing problems in the steps?

If your rounded rectangle or oval from Step 3 is too dark, gently erase and redraw it lightly with your pencil, and use a ruler or pencil-first guideline to make straight label lines before inking and coloring.

How can I change this activity for different age groups?

For younger kids, use a printed plant or animal cell template and stickers for organelles and only label nucleus and membrane, while older kids can add extra organelles, draw the suggested 3–6 mitochondria and multiple chloroplasts, and write one-sentence functions beside each label.

What are some ways to enhance or personalize the finished cell before sharing it on DIY.org?

Make a mixed-media or 3D version by using colored clay or felt for organelles and glitter or tiny stacks for chloroplasts, photograph the finished piece, and add a short caption describing each labeled organelle's role when you post to DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a cell

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw an Animal Cell Diagram -Homework Help | DoodleDrawArt

4 Videos

Facts about cell biology for kids

🧬 The nucleus is the cell's control center and stores most of its DNA — millions of instructions packed tiny!

⚡ Mitochondria are the cell's powerhouses that help make energy so cells can move, grow, and think!

🌿 Chloroplasts catch sunlight and turn it into food — some plant cells have dozens or even hundreds of them!

💧 Cytoplasm is mostly water and fills the cell, letting organelles float and work like boats in a pond!

🧫 Your body is made of about 30–40 trillion cells — that's a huge team of tiny helpers!

How do I guide my child to draw and label a detailed plant or animal cell?

Start by choosing plant or animal. Lightly sketch the outer shape—rounded oval for animal, rectangular/oval with a cell wall for plant—then add internal regions. Draw a large nucleus with nucleolus, surround it with cytoplasm, sketch mitochondria as bean shapes and chloroplasts as green ovals for plant cells. Color each organelle differently, draw arrows from labels to parts, and ask your child to write one short function for each organelle to reinforce learning.

What materials do I need to draw and label a detailed cell with my child?

You’ll need plain paper or cardstock, pencils for sketching, a good eraser, and fine-tip pens or markers for outlines. Colored pencils, markers, or crayons help fill organelles, plus a ruler or compass for neat shapes. Use a reference diagram or textbook image, sticky labels or small paper strips for names, and optional scissors/glue for collage or a magnified printed microscope image to compare real cells.

What ages is drawing and labeling a detailed cell suitable for?

This activity fits many ages when adapted: ages 4–6 can color simple labeled shapes with adult help; 7–10 can draw and label nucleus, membrane, cytoplasm and mitochondria with basic descriptions; 11–14 can add chloroplasts for plant cells, write short functions and compare types; teens can produce detailed, scaled diagrams or cross-sections. Provide supervision and simpler instructions for younger children.

What are some fun variations to try when drawing a plant or animal cell?

Try a 3D model with clay or playdough to feel organelle shapes, make a collage from cut colored paper, or build a flipbook showing processes like photosynthesis or respiration. Use a digital drawing app for layered labels, or turn it into a quiz game where family members identify functions. Variations boost engagement, support different learning styles, and make revisiting cell parts more memorable.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw a cell

How to draw a cell - a free cell drawing guide

Draw and label a detailed plant or animal cell using paper, pencils, and colors, identifying nucleus, membrane, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and mitochondria.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of cell drawing examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a cell

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw an Animal Cell - Step by Step - With a Small Test - Draw and Learn

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, coloring materials (crayons markers or colored pencils), ruler, black pen or fine-liner

Step 1

Decide whether you will draw a plant cell or an animal cell.

Step 2

Write the name of your chosen cell as the title at the top of the page.

Step 3

Lightly sketch the outer shape with your pencil: a rounded rectangle for a plant cell or an oval for an animal cell.

Step 4

Draw the cell membrane as a thin line just inside the outer shape.

Step 5

Lightly shade or dot the space inside the membrane to show the cytoplasm.

Step 6

Draw a large circle for the nucleus and add a smaller circle inside for the nucleolus.

Step 7

Draw three to six bean-shaped mitochondria and add squiggly lines inside each one.

Step 8

If you chose a plant cell draw several small oval chloroplasts with tiny stacks inside them; if you chose an animal cell write “No chloroplasts in animal cells” near your drawing.

Step 9

If you chose a plant cell draw a big central vacuole as a large oval; if you chose an animal cell draw a few small scattered vacuoles.

Step 10

Color each organelle a different color so they stand out from each other.

Step 11

Draw straight lines from each organelle to a clear spot for its label.

Step 12

Write the name beside each label for at least: nucleus; cell membrane; cytoplasm; mitochondria; chloroplasts (or note that chloroplasts are absent if you drew an animal cell).

Step 13

Take a photo of your finished cell and share your creation on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have colored pencils or a camera to finish and share the cell drawing?

My outer shape or label lines look messy—how can I fix common drawing problems in the steps?

How can I change this activity for different age groups?

What are some ways to enhance or personalize the finished cell before sharing it on DIY.org?

Watch videos on how to draw a cell

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw an Animal Cell Diagram -Homework Help | DoodleDrawArt

4 Videos

Facts about cell biology for kids

🧬 The nucleus is the cell's control center and stores most of its DNA — millions of instructions packed tiny!

⚡ Mitochondria are the cell's powerhouses that help make energy so cells can move, grow, and think!

🌿 Chloroplasts catch sunlight and turn it into food — some plant cells have dozens or even hundreds of them!

💧 Cytoplasm is mostly water and fills the cell, letting organelles float and work like boats in a pond!

🧫 Your body is made of about 30–40 trillion cells — that's a huge team of tiny helpers!