Squirrels Unit Study Activities

Squirrels are one of my favorite animals. Even though they are technically rodents, they are fun to watch during all four seasons. A squirrels unit study is a great way to learn about these amazing acrobats.

If unit studies are new to you, check out my post on How to Create a Unit Study. You can also find a free unit study planner page in my subscriber only area.

Squirrels KWL

I like starting a unit study off with a KWL. KWL stands for Know, Want to know, and Learned.

Your learner lets you know what she already knows about the topic, what she wants to know, and (at the end) what she has learned. KWLs are a great way to document your child’s learning.

You can draw your own or these KWLs are both free in my Subscriber Only Area.

Unit Study KWL VerticalUnit Study KWL Horizontal

Introduction to Squirrels

This short video gives ten quick facts about squirrels.

My free squirrels copywork set gives you the opportunity to practice handwriting (print and cursive) while learning more fun facts about squirrels. You can find it for free in both my shop and my subscriber only area.

Squirrels Fun Facts Copywork

Squirrels in the United States

Where do different kinds of squirrels live in the United States? Do a little bit of research and use this map from my subscriber only area to show where different kinds of squirrels can be found (or use your own map). You can look for:

• Eastern Gray Squirrels
• Fox Squirrels
• California Ground Squirrels
• Northern Flying Squirrels
• Southern Flying Squirrels

Create a legend on your map to show where the different squirrels live.

Do any overlap? Which ones live where you live? Which ones have you never seen?

If you learn a lot about two different kinds of squirrels, you can compare them using a Venn diagram (make your own or use the one in my subscriber only area).

Squirrels for Creative Play

Stuffed animals can be such a wonderful toy for creative play. Here are four cute options! We own the first one on the list and her name is Miss Suzy.

Aurora World Miyoni Grey Squirrel 8Aurora World Miyoni Toy Red Squirrel PlushHansa Squirrel Plush, 8Ty Beanie Babies – Nuts the Squirrel

Chattering Squirrels

Squirrels make a number of different sounds. Don’t miss these chattering squirrels courtesy of the pumpkin cam (and the bonus creature who shows up!).

Easy Squirrel Crafts

If you need a quick and easy to prepare squirrel-themed craft, check out these fun options!

Foam Fall Squirrel Magnet Craft KitWooden Squirrel Feeder Boxes Craft (Pack of 2)

Endangered Red Squirrels in Great Britain

This is a great example of how invasive species can cause unintended consequences. This short video explains the situation in Great Britain with red squirrels (native) and gray squirrels (not native). This is an article (that parents will want to preview first) with a compelling graphic about the destruction just since 1945 – Vital volunteers needed to save our last red squirrels from Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

Squirrels Unit Study Vocabulary and Spelling

Here’s a list of words you can use for your squirrel unit study for either vocabulary or spelling. Can you think of other words to add to the list?

• squirrel
• flying
• scurry
• drey
• seeds
• nuts
• bury
• rodent
• baffle
• tail

You can also use this list of words to create a word search! Make your own or use the printable in my subscriber only area.

Saving Baby Squirrels

A short story of how a family rescued two baby squirrels.

What would you do if you found some baby squirrels who had lost their mother? How would you care for them? What would you need to buy? What would you need to do? Explain it using this printable from my subscriber only area or create your own plan.

Miss Suzy Picture Book

Did you notice one of the squirrels in the video above was named Suzy and the book Miss Suzy was in one of the photos? Miss Suzy is one of my very favorite books which I’ve written about before.

There are also lots of fun activities to do with the Miss Suzy book. You can see an entire post about this – Creative Learning Ideas for Miss Suzy.

Squirrel Protest Letter

Most people who feed birds put baffles like these on their feeder poles to keep the squirrels from eating all of the birdseed. Why do you think they call them baffles?

Audubon Torpedo Steel Squirrel BaffleAudubon Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle

Do you think the squirrels like this? What would a squirrel say if he or she wrote to the homeowner to protest the baffle and ask to have it removed?

Write a letter from the squirrel to the keeper of the birdseed. You can use one of the letter forms from my subscriber only area or use your own paper.

Unit Study Letter – PrimaryUnit Study Letter – Elementary

Favorite Squirrel Facts from Squirrels Unit Study

What are your five favorite squirrel facts you’ve learned during this squirrels unit study? You can record them on this sheet in my subscriber only area or create your own.

Books and More About Squirrels

To learn more about squirrels or enjoy some squirrel-themed fun, check out these resources.

The Busy Little SquirrelEducational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel GameOutwitting Squirrels: 101 Cunning Stratagems to Reduce Dramatically the Egregious Misappropriation of Seed from Your Birdfeeder by SquirrelsSquirrels: The Animal Answer GuideThe Tale of Squirrel NutkinToysmith Squirrel PenScaredy SquirrelS’Quarrels: The Game of Absolute Nuts