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The Fixes / How to Draw / Squirrel
Thanksgiving & fall · Grades 2–4 · 12 steps

How to Draw a Squirrel

Acorn Squirrel from The Drawing Fix™. An easy step-by-step drawing for Grades 2–4. Draw it with your class in about 10 minutes, one step at a time. Free to use and print. No sign-up.

By Christopher Allen · Ontario elementary educator12 stepsAbout 10 minutesUpdated Nov 5, 2026
Run it on the projector →Printable step sheet (PDF)

Each step builds on the one before. Students learn to see a squirrel as a few simple shapes, then add the details that make it theirs.

Before you start: a pencil, an eraser, a sheet of paper and something to colour with.

Draw lightly at first. Dark lines come at the end, once the shapes look right.

Step-by-step: how to draw a squirrel

  1. Step 1. Head

    Draw the round head.

  2. Step 2. Body

    Add the big oval body below the head.

  3. Step 3. Ears

    Add two round ears.

  4. Step 4. Face

    Draw the eyes, nose and mouth.

  5. Step 5. Buck teeth

    Add two big front teeth.

  6. Step 6. Big tail

    Sweep the big curly tail around the back.

  7. Step 7. Tail swirl

    Add the swirl inside the tail.

  8. Step 8. Acorn

    Draw the acorn held in front.

  9. Step 9. Arms

    Add two arms holding the acorn.

  10. Step 10. Feet

    Draw two big feet.

  11. Step 11. Leaves

    Drop two leaves on the ground.

  12. Step 12. Create

    Make one part completely yours.

The pink line is the new part in each step.

Make it theirs

  • Add a background: a fence, falling leaves or a pumpkin patch.
  • Write one thing you are thankful for underneath.
  • Colour it with fall colours only: red, orange, yellow and brown.
  • Colour last. There is no wrong colour for a squirrel.

Teaching it with the projector

The projector version draws each step slowly on the board, pauses while students copy it, then checks in before the next step. Nobody has to talk, so you are free to walk around and help.

Quick Fix: 8 steps, about 5 minutes. Good for a brain break or the last few minutes before recess. Full Focus: all 12 steps, about 10 minutes, with the extra detail.

Open Acorn Squirrel on the projector → It works on any classroom screen. No accounts, no student names, no ads.

Curriculum connections

Visual arts: the elements of design (line, shape and pattern) and creating art for a purpose. Language: listening to and following multi-step directions. Directed drawing also builds fine motor control and focus.

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