Kiwi Fun for Kids: Facts, Videos & Coloring Page Activities

Kiwi

The Kiwi is a small, flightless bird from New Zealand that looks a bit like a fuzzy chicken with a long beak. Kids will be amazed by how it uses its funny, long nose to sniff out snacks in the dark. Let’s explore this curious animal!

Watch a Kiwi in Action!

Here’s a fun video showing a Kiwi exploring and searching for food at night:

What Is a Kiwi?

The Kiwi is a special bird from New Zealand.

It cannot fly—its wings are tiny and hidden under fuzzy feathers.
It has a long beak with nostrils at the tip to sniff out food underground :contentReference.
Kiwi feathers feel more like hair than regular feathers.

Where Do Kiwis Live?

Kiwis live only in New Zealand and enjoy hiding in forests and grasslands.

They live in places like forests, scrublands, and fields.
They come out mostly at night to look for food.

What Do Kiwis Eat?

Kiwis are nighttime eaters that use their long beaks to find tasty treats.

Worms, insects, and grubs
Small fruits, seeds, snails, and even tiny frogs or crayfish

How Big Is a Kiwi?

Kiwis are about the size of a poultry hen, making them easy to picture!

About 25–45 cm long (10–18 in long)—that’s like a school ruler or a loaf of bread.
Weighs around 1–3 kg (2–6 lb)—a bit heavier than a bag of sugar.

What Sound Do Kiwis Make?

At night, Kiwis make loud, shrill calls that can sound like tiny dinosaurs!

Here’s a video with Kiwi noises:

The male makes high-pitched whistles and the female makes low, raspy calls

Cool Kiwi Facts

There are five Kiwi species in New Zealand
A Kiwi egg can be 20% of the mommy’s weight—huge!
They are the only birds with nostrils at the ends of their beaks
They have thick, fur-like feathers for staying warm.
They snuffle and snort while looking for food
Kiwis are nocturnal—active when kids are sleeping.
They are related to extinct giant elephant birds but are much smaller
They can live up to 30 years in the wild.

Printables and Coloring Fun

Kids can enjoy coloring and playing games with Kiwi themes!

Download Kiwi Coloring Page (PDF)

Kiwis in the Eco-System

Kiwis help keep forests healthy and are very special animals.

By digging, they mix soil and spread seeds—this helps plants grow.
They are nocturnal insect eaters, keeping the bug balance right.
Most Kiwi species are vulnerable or endangered and need help.
There are only about 16,000 Great Spotted Kiwi left, and other species have even fewer.