Squirrel Facts for Kids
Squirrels are quick, clever rodents with bushy tails and strong legs. Many live in trees, some live in underground burrows, and others can glide through the air using special skin flaps.
Quick Squirrel Facts
- Animal Type: Mammal
- Group: Rodent
- Known For: Bushy tails and climbing
- Habitat: Trees, forests, parks, cities, grasslands, and burrows
- Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruit, fungi, buds, and sometimes insects
What You’ll Learn
Learn 10 fun squirrel facts for kids with simple explanations, kid facts, quiz, glossary, and a squirrel activity.
These squirrel facts for kids are written in a simple way for kids, parents, teachers, and curious little fact-hunters.
10 Fun Squirrel Facts for Kids
1. Squirrels Are Rodents
Squirrels belong to the rodent family. Rodents have strong front teeth that keep growing and are used for gnawing.
Kid Fact: Squirrels are tiny members of the nibble squad.
2. Squirrels Have Bushy Tails
A squirrel’s bushy tail helps with balance, communication, warmth, and steering while jumping.
Kid Fact: A squirrel tail is a flag, blanket, and balance pole in one.
3. Squirrels Have Strong Hind Legs
Squirrels use powerful back legs to leap between branches, climb trees, and escape danger quickly.
Kid Fact: Squirrel legs are little spring-loaded launchers.
4. Some Squirrels Live in Trees
Tree squirrels build nests called dreys or use tree holes for shelter. They are excellent climbers.
Kid Fact: A tree squirrel’s home can be a leafy sky apartment.
5. Some Squirrels Live Underground
Ground squirrels live in burrows under prairies, fields, deserts, or grasslands. These burrows help protect them.
Kid Fact: Some squirrels prefer basement living in the dirt.
6. Squirrels Store Food
Many squirrels hide nuts and seeds to eat later. This food storing is called caching.
Kid Fact: A squirrel can turn a forest into a secret snack map.
7. Squirrels May Forget Some Seeds
Sometimes squirrels do not return to every buried seed. Forgotten seeds can grow into new plants or trees.
Kid Fact: A squirrel’s lost snack can become tomorrow’s tree.
8. Flying Squirrels Do Not Truly Fly
Flying squirrels glide, not flap like birds. They use a skin membrane between their legs to sail from tree to tree.
Kid Fact: Flying squirrels are tiny furry gliders.
9. Baby Squirrels Are Called Kits
Baby squirrels are often called kits or kittens. They are born helpless and grow in nests or burrows.
Kid Fact: A baby squirrel starts as a tiny nest potato.
10. Squirrels Live in Many Places
Squirrels live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Different species are adapted to forests, cities, deserts, and grasslands.
Kid Fact: Squirrels have found homes almost everywhere.
The Weirdest Squirrel Fact
Flying squirrels do not truly fly. They glide through the air using a special skin flap like a furry parachute.
Try This Activity
Squirrel Drawing Activity
Draw a squirrel sitting on a tree branch with an acorn. Add a bushy tail, bright eyes, leaves, a hidden nut, and a leafy nest nearby.
Quick Squirrel Quiz
- What animal group do squirrels belong to? Answer: Rodents.
- What helps squirrels balance when jumping? Answer: Their bushy tails.
- What is food storing called? Answer: Caching.
- Do flying squirrels flap like birds? Answer: No, they glide.
- What are baby squirrels often called? Answer: Kits or kittens.
Mini Glossary
- Rodent: A mammal with front teeth made for gnawing.
- Drey: A squirrel nest made from leaves and twigs.
- Cache: A hidden food store.
- Glide: To move through the air without flapping wings.
- Burrow: An underground animal home.
Create Your Own Squirrel Story
Turn these squirrel facts into a fun animal story with our free Animal Story Generator.
Try It FreeFact check note: Fact checked with Britannica Kids squirrel resources, Britannica squirrel resources, and trusted wildlife education references.