“Q is for Quail”: Free Coloring Sheet and Nature-Inspired Lesson

At Forest Friends, I love weaving literacy into our connections with the natural world. This simple “Q is for Quail” lesson is one I developed for use in my own school, and it works beautifully for kindergarten homeschoolers too. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to introduce the letter Q, learn about California quail, enjoy a cozy storytime, and use my free “Q is for Quail” coloring page as a meaningful follow-up activity.

To access the printable coloring page, you’ll need to sign up as a site member (it’s free). Details are at the end of the post.

Materials You’ll Need

• “Q is for Quail” coloring page (free download for site members)

• Crayons or colored pencils

• The book Queenie Quail (by Jane Yolen & Bob Marstall)

• Optional: small objects or cards that start with the /kw/ sound of Q (quail, quilt, queen, quiet, quick)

  
  

Step 1: Introducing the Letter Q

I like to begin with a calm, focused moment:

1. Write a large Q and q on a board or paper.

2. Trace the letters with your finger while saying the sound:

   
   

   “This is the letter Q. Q often says /kw/ like in ‘quail.’ Can you say /kw/ with me?”

You might invite your child to:

• Skywrite the letter Q with their arm.

• Trace a sandpaper or textured letter, if you use Montessori materials.

• Paint letter "Q" big on an easel (you can even "paint" fences, sidewalks, etc. with water!)

• Think of a few /kw/ words together (quilt, queen, quick, quiet).

Connect it back to nature:

“Today we’re going to meet a special bird whose name starts with Q—quail.”

Step 2: Learn About California Quail

Before or after storytime, share a few simple, interesting facts about California quail. You can keep it gentle and conversational:

• California quail are small, ground-dwelling birds often found in groups called coveys.

• They have a little curved black feather on top of their heads called a plume—like a tiny feather hat. Reach your index finger to your forehead and pretend to bob your "quail feather" up and down as you walk!

• They love to scratch in the dirt and leaves to find seeds and insects.

• They prefer to run rather than fly when they feel scared.

• Parent quail work together to protect their chicks, often moving in a group and keeping everyone close.

  

  Photo credit: (c)2007 Yathin sk

I like to print and laminate a picture of a real quail and use it for outdoor learning and coloring reference.

• "Have you ever seen this kind of bird?"

• “What do you notice about its body?”

• “Where do you think it likes to live—forest, field, or city?”

• “How does its coloring help it stay safe?”

  
  

Step 3: Storytime – Queenie Quail

Gather up (I always combine snack and storytime when we are outdoors!) and read Queenie Quail together. Before you begin, you can set the tone:

“In this story, we’ll meet a quail named Queenie. As we listen, let’s notice what kind of choices she makes and how her family cares for one another.”

After reading, invite gentle reflection:

• “What did you like best about Queenie?”

• “How did Queenie’s family act together as a covey?”

• “Did this story remind you of any times when you felt brave or careful?”

This is a lovely place to pause for a quiet moment of gratitude for birds, families, and the safe places we have to learn.

Storytime break in the woods with snack is a sure way to both still and refuel little bodies!

Step 4: A Simple Quail Fingerplay

Fingerplays help children integrate language, rhythm, and movement. In Forest Friends, we often introduce that day's concept through a fingerplay at our morning circle. We then bring it back after storytime!

Five Little Quail(Show the number on your fingers as you say each line.)

Five little quail went out one day,Over the hill and far away.Mama Quail called, “Quick, quick, quick!”And four little quail came running back, quick.

Four little quail scratched in the sun,Looking for seeds, having some fun.Mama Quail called, “Quick, quick, quick!”And three little quail came running back, quick.

(Continue down to one quail, then…)

One little quail felt far from home,Looking around and all alone.Mama Quail called, “Quick, quick, quick!”And five little quail came running back, quick.

Invite your child to join in on the repeating parts: “quick, quick, quick!” and the counting down of quail.

Step 5: “Q is for Quail” Coloring Page

Now it’s time for the coloring page. I like to present it slowly and intentionally:

1. Show the page and point to the Q and q.“Here is our letter Q, and here is our quail. Can you find the plume on its head?”

2. Invite your child to notice details before coloring:

   • “Where do you think its feet are stepping?”

   • “What colors do you think would help it blend into the grass or bushes?”

   •  Occasionally, I will help the children select the animal's natural colors from the crayon bin before we hand out the coloring page, then remove the crayon bin, leaving only those realistic colors as options. This helps them make more careful observations about the animal.

3. As your child colors, you can gently weave in:

   • Letter sound reminders: “Q says /kw/… /kw/–quail.”

   • Nature questions: “What might this quail be looking for on the ground?”

   • Emotional check-ins: “How does it feel to sit quietly and color right now?”

     
     

When we treat a coloring page as more than a busy activity, it becomes a space for:

• Fine motor practice (small finger movements)

• Letter recognition (Q and q)

• Nature appreciation (observing a real animal) -

• Calm, focused time together

  
  

Optional Extensions

If your child is engaged and you’d like to go deeper, you might:

• Go outside for a “quail walk”Even if you don’t have quail nearby, you can imagine where a quail might hide or find food. Talk about safe, quiet walking and listening for birds.

• Write or dictate a sentence“Q is for quail.” or “Quail live in a covey.”You can write the sentence and invite your child to find all the Qs.

• Create a simple quail craft Cut out a quail body from brown paper, add a small paper or feather plume, and glue on a background of grass or leaves.

  
  

How to Get the Free “Q is for Quail” Coloring Page

The “Q is for Quail” coloring page is available as a free download for site members.

To access it:

1. Sign up as a site member on the Forest Friends website (it’s free and I NEVER sell or share your information).

2. Once you’re signed in, you’ll be able to download the “Q is for Quail” coloring page from the Downloads page.

   
   

Sign Up HERE for free downloads

By becoming a site member, you’ll also be the first to hear about new nature-based printables, seasonal activities, and resources for preschool and kindergarten learning.

If you use these ideas in your homeschool or classroom, I’d love to hear about how you use them!