Mermaid Facts for Kids

Do you believe in mermaids? The mythical creatures that swim in the sea. What do you think they look like? Do you think they look more like a fish or do they appear to be in human form? Many depictions of mermaids show them to be half fish, half-human with a fish tail and the upper body of a human. These beautiful women and men are believed to live together in underwater colonies engaging in human activities, such as attending mermaid school and even singing. Of course these are all just stories of mermaids, but who knows, the existence of mermaids could be real and they could be swimming in the water all around us. Whether you believe in mermaids or think they are just ancient folk tales, you can’t deny the beauty and mysticalness of these creatures and I’m sure you are itching to learn more. So, sit back and get ready to read these mermaid facts for kids.

DOWNLOAD FREE MERMAID PRINTABLES TOO

You can download three FREE printables too at the bottom of the post:

• Mermaid Paint By Number Free PDF
• I Can’t Wait to Get My Tail to the Beach Mermaid Coloring Poster FREE PDF
• Mermaid Word Search with the words:

1. MERMAIDS
2. MYTHICAL
3. SEA
4. CREATURES
5. TAIL
6. SHINY
7. LOVE
8. BEAUTY
9. MAGICAL
10. WISHES
11. SIGHTINGS
12. LITTLE

What do Mermaids Look Like?

1. Mermaids are mythical sea creatures that have the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.

2. Mermaids are often portrayed as being beautiful and enchanting with a mermaid tail and shiny, long hair. Their hair is different colors of gold and red, although some people believe mermaids have purple, pink, and even green hair! What color hair do you think mermaids have?

3. Traditional mermaids can also have jewelry, such as pearl necklaces and gold rings. All their accessories make them look more like a beautiful mermaid and even goddess-like. Goddesses are like ancient princesses. Goddess Atargatis is actually believed to be a beautiful goddess and mermaid according to ancient Greek mythology and the legends of mermaids.

Mermaid Facts for Kids – Where Did Mermaids Come From?

4. Mermaids are said to have originated in medieval times. Mermaid mythology was an idea imposed by the Greeks and later adopted by the Romans.

5. In ancient Greece, mermaids were associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. They were believed to be beautiful and magical creatures who were part fish, part human.

6. The word mermaid is thought to come from the Old English word “mere,” meaning “sea,” and the Old English word “maid,” meaning “woman”.

Behaviors of Mermaids

7. Mermaids are often portrayed as having magical powers, such as the ability to control the weather or create storms at sea. Some people even believe mermaids can morph into other sea creatures, such as seals or dolphins.

8. According to the Greek myth of water sirens, mermaids are also said to be able to lure sailors to their watery graves.

9. In some cultures, mermaids are considered to be bad luck and are thought to bring disaster, while in other cultures, mermaids are said to be benevolent and bring good fortune. What do you think?

10. Mermaids were also said to be able to grant wishes and were often depicted as being helpful to humans. If you had a mermaid friend, what would use them for?

Mermaid Facts for Kids – Mermaid Sightings

11. The first mermaid sighting was reported by ancient Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th century BC.

12. In the Middle Ages, mermaid sightings were often associated with evil and witchcraft. Many people claimed they saw mermaids performing evil acts.

13. During the Age of Discovery, mermaid sightings became more common as sailors explored new areas of the world.

14. One of the most famous mermaid sightings was by Christopher Columbus in 1493 when he claimed to have seen three mermaids swimming near Haiti.

More Mermaid Sightings!

15. Another famous mermaid sighting was made by English explorer John Smith in 1614 when he claimed to have seen a mermaid off the coast of Virginia.

16. In 1642, Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog claimed to have seen a mermaid on an island off the coast of Australia. Do you believe these explorers?

17. In the 19th century, mermaid sightings became more common as stories and folklore about these creatures began to spread.

18. Some scientists believe that mermaid sightings may actually be manatees, sea cows, or dugongs, which are marine mammals that resemble mermaids. There are also theories that suggest mermaid sightings could be misidentifications of dolphins.

Mermaids in the Human World

19. Mermaids are commonly depicted in popular culture in movies and TV shows, including “The Little Mermaid,” “Splash,” and “Hook”. Have you seen any movies or TV shows with mermaid characters?

20. There is a mermaid museum in Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida that holds regular mermaid shows where people can see real mermaids swimming underwater. Would you ever want to go see that?

21. Mermaid festivals are held around the world every year to celebrate these mythical creatures and their beauty. Have you ever been to a mermaid festival?

22. Despite their popularity in pop culture, scientists still haven’t been able to prove that mermaids actually exist. What do you think?

Do Mermaids Exist?

As you have seen, there have been several reports of mermaid sightings throughout history and numerous depictions of mermaids in museums and movies today. Is it all a hoax or do mermaids actually exist? Human populations have come to a consensus of what mermaids might look like, but no one has see one for sure. There is no concrete evidence that they do exist. So, what do you think? Do you think mermaids exist? Some people believe that mermaids actually exist, while others think they are just mythological creatures. Let us know what you think and be sure to keep an eye out for mermaids the next time you are swimming in the ocean.

WANT MORE FUN FACTS FOR KIDS?

Check out these fun facts for kids here and browse all the other topics at the bottom of the post.