Squirrel Facts for Kids: 10 Fun Squirrel Facts for Children

Fun Facts for Kids

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.

Topic Squirrel Type Animals Age Ages 7–12 Level Easy

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 amazing squirrel facts for kids about climbing, tails, buried food, nests, and clever survival tricks, plus a quiz, glossary, and squirrel activity

Clear explanations make them great for kids, families, teachers, and eager little learners.

Fact Safari

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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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 Decode: 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.

Creative Corner

Try This Squirrel 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

  1. What animal group do squirrels belong to? Answer: Rodents.
  2. What helps squirrels balance when jumping? Answer: Their bushy tails.
  3. What is food storing called? Answer: Caching.
  4. Do flying squirrels flap like birds? Answer: No, they glide.
  5. 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.
Animal Comparisons

Compare Squirrel With Other Animals

See how Squirrel is different from other animals with side-by-side facts, quick tables, and easy answers.

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Fact check note: Fact checked with Britannica Kids squirrel resources, Britannica squirrel resources, and trusted wildlife education references.

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