Crab Facts for 6-Year-Olds

Hello! Crabs are cool animals that live by the sea. Let’s learn easy, fun facts step by step and try a little activity.

Step 1: What is a crab?

A crab is an animal with a hard shell that protects its body. Say the word: 'crab' (rhymes with 'grab').

Step 2: Body parts — quick facts

1. Shell: Crabs wear a hard shell like armor to stay safe.
2. Legs: Most crabs have 10 legs — that’s 5 pairs!
3. Claws: The big front legs are claws. Crabs use claws to pick up food and to say 'stay away' to other animals.
4. Eyes: Crabs have eyes on stalks so they can see all around.

Step 3: How crabs move

Crabs usually walk sideways (to the side). Try it: stand up and take small steps sideways like a crab!

Step 4: Where they live

• Many crabs live in the ocean or on the beach.
• Some crabs, like hermit crabs, live in empty shells they carry around.

Step 5: What they eat

Crabs are hungry for many things: plants, little fish, and leftover bits on the sand. Some are picky, some eat lots of different foods.

More fun, simple facts

• Baby crabs are very tiny and sometimes look different from grown-up crabs.
• Crabs can grow new legs if they lose one (their body can regrow it later).
• Crabs come in many colors and sizes — some are small, some are very big!

Safety tip

If you see a crab, watch it quietly. Some crabs can pinch with their claws, so always ask an adult before touching one.

Try this crab activity

1. Draw a crab: make a round body, two big claws, and five pairs of legs.
2. Move like a crab: walk sideways across the room with tiny steps.
3. Go on a shell hunt with an adult at the beach and look for hermit crabs (but don’t take them away from home).

Great job! Now you know lots about crabs. Want more fun facts or a coloring picture of a crab to draw?