Seahorse Fun for Kids

Seahorses are tiny fish that look a lot like horses! They have curly tails, long noses, and even wear bony armor like knights. These amazing sea animals come in lots of colors and can even change colors to hide. Seahorses are super special because the dads carry the babies!

Watch a Seahorse in Action!

Seahorses are fun to watch as they float gently in the water. They use their tiny fins to swim and their tails to grab onto sea plants. Look at this video to see one in action!

What is a Seahorse?

A seahorse is a small ocean animal with a head like a horse and a tail like a monkey! It lives underwater and is part of the fish family, even though it doesn’t look like most fish.

• Seahorses are fish that swim upright
• They use tiny fins to move through the water
• They can change color to blend in with seaweed
• Dad seahorses carry the babies in a pouch

Where do Seahorses live?

Seahorses live in warm oceans all around the world. They love shallow waters where there are lots of sea plants to hide in.

• Seahorses live in coral reefs and sea grass beds
• They are found in warm coastal waters, like the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
• They hold on to plants with their tails to stay safe

What do Seahorses eat?

Seahorses eat tiny animals in the water. They use their long snouts like straws to suck up food!

• They eat tiny shrimp and baby fish
• They also eat little sea creatures called plankton
• Seahorses eat almost all day long because they don’t have stomachs

How big is a Seahorse?

Seahorses are very small! Some are as tiny as your pinky finger, and some are about the size of a banana.

• Most seahorses are 0.6 to 14 inches long (1.5 to 35 cm)
• They weigh less than a chocolate bar

What sound do Seahorses make?

Seahorses don’t roar like lions or bark like dogs. They make quiet clicking sounds, especially when they’re feeding or greeting each other.

Cool Seahorse facts

Seahorses are full of surprises! Here are some fun facts that kids love:

• There are over 40 kinds of seahorses
• They can move their eyes in different directions at the same time
• Male seahorses give birth to baby seahorses
• Seahorses don’t have teeth or stomachs
• They use their tails to hold on to seaweed
• Some seahorses are only as big as a jellybean
• Seahorses can change colors like chameleons
• They are not very good swimmers

Printables and coloring fun

Have fun with seahorses at home or in the classroom! Use these fun printables to color and play.

• Download Seahorse Coloring Page (PDF)

Seahorses in the eco-system

Seahorses help keep the ocean healthy by eating tiny sea creatures. They are also food for bigger animals like crabs and fish.

• Seahorses help control plankton and shrimp populations
• They are prey for larger sea animals
• Some seahorses are endangered because of pollution and habitat loss
• People fish for them, so we need to protect them

Ask a grown-up to help you learn more

If you want to learn even more about seahorses, ask a grown-up to help you visit these safe websites:

• Britannica – Seahorse | Description, Reproduction, Habitat, & Facts
• National Geographic – Seahorses, facts and photos
• Sea World – Seahorses Facts and Information | United Parks & Resorts

Fun questions about Seahorses

Ways to donate and support Seahorses

Seahorses need clean oceans and safe homes to live. You can help protect them by learning more and supporting groups that care for sea life.

Donate to Project Seahorse