How to Draw a Squirrel (Easy Step by Step)
This squirrel is cute because it holds a tiny acorn in its paws and has a huge, swirly tail. It is built from simple shapes: ovals for the head and body, arches for the ears, small curves for the feet, and one big curve for the tail.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a squirrel step by step
How to Draw a Squirrel · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The head
Draw a big, slightly wide oval near the top left of your paper. Leave the inside empty for now.
Step 3: The round body
Draw a round oval under the head, touching it at the top. Make it a little smaller than the head so the squirrel looks cuddly.
Step 4: The ears
Draw two rounded arches on top of the head, one on each side, like upside-down U shapes. Let the ends sit on the head.
Step 5: Inside the ears
Inside each ear, draw a small curved line that follows the shape of the ear and ends in a little curl.
Step 6: The little feet
At the bottom of the body, draw two small curved shapes peeking out, one on the left and one on the right.
Step 7: The big fluffy tail
Start at the side of the body and draw a long curve up into a little swirl at the top. Then sweep a big curve down the right side and back to the bottom of the body.
Step 8: Face, acorn and paws
Draw two dots for eyes, a small dot nose between them and a little wavy smile below it. In the middle of the tummy, draw an acorn with a tiny stem, a round cap, a curved band and a pointy U shape. Add a small oval on each side of the acorn for paws.
Step 9: Tail fur lines
Inside the tail, near its right edge, draw one long curved line and one short curved line below it to make the tail look fluffy.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your squirrel? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fall tree or how to draw an owl next.
Tips for drawing a squirrel
- Draw the head and body as two ovals first so they stack neatly and the squirrel does not lean.
- The tail is the trickiest part. Start at the body, curve up into the little swirl, then sweep the long outer curve down in one smooth line.
- Draw the face and the acorn together, then add the little ovals on each side of the acorn so the squirrel looks like it is holding it.
Free squirrel coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this squirrel coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your squirrel drawing
Try warm reddish browns for the fur, a lighter cream tummy and a golden brown acorn. For a twist, color the tail in a bright color like orange or purple.
Squirrel fun fact for kids
Squirrels bury nuts to eat later, and they forget some of them. Forgotten nuts can sprout and grow into new trees.
Questions about drawing a squirrel
What shapes do I need to draw a squirrel?
You need two ovals for the head and body, two arches for the ears, small curves for the feet, and one long curved shape for the tail.
How do I make my squirrel look cuter?
Keep the eyes small and wide apart and give it a tiny smile. A big round tail and a little acorn make it extra sweet.
How do I draw a fluffy squirrel tail?
Start at the side of the body and curve up into a small swirl, then draw a big curve down and around. Add a couple of curved lines inside to show the fluff.
