Turtle Fun for Kids

Turtles are amazing animals with hard shells that protect their soft bodies. These slow-moving creatures live both on land and in the water. Kids love turtles because they look like they’re always carrying a little house on their back. There are many kinds of turtles, and some can live for more than 100 years!

Watch a Turtle in Action!

Turtles are fun to watch as they swim slowly or walk on land with their wobbly legs. Watch how a turtle moves and learns more about this awesome animal.

What is a Turtle?

Turtles are reptiles with a hard shell that covers their body. Their shell helps keep them safe from predators. Turtles are quiet, peaceful, and very interesting to observe.

• Turtles are reptiles
• They have a hard shell on their back
• They can live on land or in the water
• They lay eggs in the sand or dirt
• They are cold-blooded animals

Where do Turtles live?

Turtles live all over the world in many different places. Some live in the ocean, some in lakes and rivers, and others on land in forests or deserts.

• Ocean turtles live in warm seas
• Freshwater turtles live in ponds and rivers
• Land turtles, also called tortoises, live in dry areas
• They live on every continent except Antarctica

What do Turtles eat?

Turtles eat different foods depending on where they live. Some are plant eaters, while others eat small animals too.

• Sea turtles eat jellyfish, seaweed, and small fish
• Freshwater turtles eat insects, plants, and worms
• Land turtles eat fruits, vegetables, and grasses

How big is a Turtle?

Turtles come in many sizes. Some are small enough to fit in your hand, while others are as big as a bathtub!

• Small turtles can be 5 inches (13 cm) long
• Large turtles, like sea turtles, can be over 4 feet (1.2 meters) long
• They can weigh as little as 1 pound (0.5 kg) or over 1,000 pounds (450 kg)

What sound do Turtles make?

Turtles don’t make loud sounds, but they can hiss, grunt, or make clicking noises. Some baby turtles make little squeaky sounds when they hatch.

Cool Turtle facts

Turtles are full of surprises! Here are some fun facts about turtles that kids love to learn.

• Some turtles can live for over 100 years
• Sea turtles travel thousands of miles to lay their eggs
• Turtles have been around since the time of dinosaurs
• Turtles don’t have teeth, but they have strong beaks
• Some turtles can hold their breath for several hours
• A group of turtles is called a bale
• Turtles can see in color
• Their shells are part of their bones

Printables and coloring fun

Turtles are fun to color and learn about through games. Use these fun turtle printables and activities!

• Download Turtle Coloring Page (PDF)

Turtles in the eco-system

Turtles help keep the environment healthy. They eat dead plants and animals and spread seeds in the wild. Many turtle species are endangered because of pollution and loss of habitat.

• Turtles help clean up rivers and oceans
• They spread plant seeds in forests and oceans
• They are food for other animals like birds and fish
• Some species are endangered or threatened
• We must protect their homes to keep them safe

Ask a grown-up to help you learn more

Turtles are so cool, and there’s even more to discover. Ask a grown-up to help you visit these safe, helpful websites.

• National Geographic Kids – Green Sea Turtle
• Britannica – Turtle | Species, Classification, & Facts
• WWF – Sea Turtle Facts

Fun questions about Turtles

Ways to donate and support Turtles

We can all help turtles by keeping the environment clean, not littering, and learning more about how to protect them. You can also donate to groups that help turtles stay safe and healthy.

Donate to SeeTurtles.org