How to Draw a Squirrel: Easy Step-by-Step
In this guide
One giant fluffy tail, two buck teeth, and an acorn held like treasure — that’s the entire personality of a cartoon squirrel, and it’s a joy to draw. If you want to know how to draw a squirrel that actually looks like a squirrel, the answer is simple: make the tail almost as big as the body, and the rest falls into place.
We’ll build this bright-eyed backyard buddy from a circle, an egg, and one glorious S-shaped floof. It’s a cousin of our cute bunny drawing in both shape and sweetness, so if you’ve done that one, you’re already halfway there. ✏️
What You’ll Need
- Paper
- A pencil
- An eraser
- Optional: brown, orange, and cream markers
Step 1: Draw the Head
Start with a light circle for the head, placed a little left of center so the big tail has plenty of room later. Let one side bulge slightly outward — that soft point becomes the squirrel’s cheeky little face. Light pencil lines for now; we’ll firm things up later.
Step 2: Add Perky Ears
On top of the head, draw two upright ears shaped like rounded triangles — taller than a mouse’s, softer than a cat’s. Add a smaller curve inside each one for the inner ear. Perky ears make your squirrel look alert and ready for snacks.
Step 3: Sketch the Body
Under the head, draw an egg shape that’s wider at the bottom — your squirrel is sitting up the way they do when they’ve spotted something interesting. Keep the body a bit smaller than you think; the tail is about to steal the show anyway.
Step 4: Draw the Famous Tail
Behind the body, draw a big S-shaped curve rising up and curling over near the top — like a fluffy question mark hugging your squirrel’s back. Make it thick and bold, nearly as tall as the whole animal. Add a few zigzag notches along the outer edge so it reads as fur.
Step 5: Add Arms and Feet
Draw two little arms curving in toward the chest, ending in tiny paws — they’re about to hold an acorn, so keep them close together. At the bottom of the body, add two long oval feet pointing forward. Squirrel feet are surprisingly big, which only makes them cuter. A short curved line on each foot suggests toes without any fuss.
Step 6: Give It a Face
Place two round, shiny eyes on the head, fairly far apart, with a small oval nose between and below them. Under the nose, draw a tiny smile with two square buck teeth peeking out. A few freckle dots on each cheek stand in for whiskers.
Step 7: Add the Acorn
Between those waiting paws, draw a small oval with a beret-like cap on top — the cap gets a quick crisscross pattern and a tiny stem. Congratulations, you’ve drawn an acorn, and your squirrel is now officially delighted. Erase any guide lines still showing.
Step 8: Color Your Squirrel
Classic squirrels are warm reddish-brown or gray, with a cream belly and chest. Color the tail slightly darker at the edges to give it depth, and make the acorn tan with a brown cap. A scatter of little green leaves around the feet makes a fast, easy background.
Tips to Make Your Squirrel Drawing Even Cuter
- Puff out one cheek like it’s already stuffed with a snack — instant giggle.
- Draw a tiny scarf for an autumn version, with one red leaf drifting down. 🍂
- Make the eyes extra large with two white sparkle dots each for maximum charm.
- Sketch a second squirrel hanging upside down from a branch above the first.
- Swap the acorn for a strawberry or cookie for a silly twist.
FAQ
Is a squirrel hard to draw?
The body is beginner-easy — circle, egg, done. The tail looks fancy but it’s honestly just a thick S-curve with a fuzzy edge, so most people nail it on the first or second try.
What’s the trick to a good squirrel tail?
Go bigger than feels reasonable. A tail that’s nearly the size of the body is what makes the drawing instantly say “squirrel” rather than “chubby mouse.” Adding a few zigzag notches along the outer curve gives it that fluffy finish.
What age can follow this tutorial?
Kids around five and up can manage it with the shapes broken down this way. Younger artists might skip the acorn and just draw the happy face and big tail.
There it sits — a bright-eyed squirrel guarding its acorn like the crown jewels, drawn entirely by you. Woodland scenes are wonderful practice, so why not add our fox drawing to the same page next? And for step-by-step draw-alongs, hop over to our YouTube channel. Keep doodling — you’ve got this! 🎨
