Polar Bear Fun for Kids

Polar bears are giant white bears that live in the cold, snowy parts of the world. They are powerful swimmers and love to roam on sea ice. These animals are great hunters and use their strong noses to sniff out food from far away. Even though they look fluffy and cuddly, polar bears are wild animals and need lots of space to live and grow.

Watch a Polar bear in Action!

Polar bears are fun to watch as they swim, play, and explore their icy homes. Check out this exciting polar bear video for kids!

What is a Polar bear?

Polar bears are big Arctic animals that live where it’s very cold. They are built for chilly weather with their thick fur and fat layers to keep warm.

• Polar bears are mammals
• They have white fur that helps them blend in with snow
• They have big paws for walking on ice and swimming
• They are excellent hunters and mostly eat meat

Where do Polar bears live?

Polar bears live in the Arctic, which is near the North Pole. They stay on sea ice and near cold oceans where they can hunt seals.

• Found in countries like Canada, Norway, Russia, Greenland, and the United States (Alaska)
• Live on sea ice and along icy coastlines
• Spend lots of time in the water swimming between ice patches

What do Polar bears eat?

Polar bears are meat eaters and love to eat seals. They are very patient hunters and wait near holes in the ice to catch their food.

• Love to eat seals the most
• Sometimes eat birds, fish, or whale leftovers
• Can go for a long time without eating if they need to

How big is a Polar bear?

Polar bears are huge! They are the biggest bears in the world.

• Grown-up males can be as tall as a small car when standing up — about 10 feet (3 meters)
• They can weigh more than 1,300 pounds (590 kilograms) — that’s as heavy as a piano!
• Baby polar bears are tiny and only weigh about 1 pound (0.5 kilograms) when born

What sound do Polar bears make?

Polar bears make all kinds of sounds! They growl, roar, huff, and even make loud chuffing noises to talk to other bears or scare off danger.

Cool Polar bear facts

Polar bears are full of surprises. Here are some fun facts kids will love:

• Polar bears have black skin under their white fur to soak up heat from the sun
• They can smell seals from over a mile (1.6 kilometers) away
• They are great swimmers and can swim for days without stopping
• Each polar bear has its own scent that helps other bears know who they are
• They have a special third eyelid to protect their eyes from snow and ice
• Polar bear cubs stay with their moms for about 2 years
• They walk with wide feet like snowshoes to stop from sinking in the snow
• Polar bears don’t hibernate like other bears, but moms rest in dens with their babies

Printables and coloring fun

Have fun learning about polar bears with these printable activities and coloring games.

• Download Polar bear Coloring Page (PDF)

Polar bears in the eco-system

Polar bears are important animals in the Arctic. They help keep the balance of nature by hunting seals and showing how healthy the Arctic is.

• Polar bears are top predators in the Arctic
• They help control seal populations
• They are a big part of Arctic food chains
• There are about 22,000 to 31,000 polar bears in the world
• Polar bears are considered vulnerable because melting ice is making it hard for them to hunt and live

Ask a grown-up to help you learn more

Want to know even more cool things about polar bears? Ask a grown-up to help you visit these trusted websites:

• National Geographic Kids: Polar bear Facts
• World Wildlife Fund: Polar bear
• Oceana: Polar bear Information

Fun questions about Polar bears

Ways to donate and support Polar bears

Polar bears need our help to protect their icy homes. You can support them by learning, sharing, and donating to groups that help save their habitat.

Donate to help protect Polar bears at World Wildlife Fund