Climate Zones for Kids
Weather changes all the time, but climate is the usual weather pattern established over a long period of time. There are three main climate zones on the Earth: polar, temperate, and tropical. Let's explore each of these climate zones and learn about their unique characteristics.

by Jason Hantman

The Polar Climate Zone
The polar climate zone is named polar because it is in the north and south poles. The north pole is in a region called the Arctic, at the top of the Earth. The south pole is located at the bottom of the Earth in a region called Antarctica.
  • These climate zones are very cold because the sun does not directly hit these areas
  • Summers in these regions are still very cold
  • The poles do not support much human life
  • The temperature in the south pole is a lot colder than in the north pole
  • It never gets above freezing in the south pole
  • The north pole may get above freezing for a time, causing some ice to melt
Life in the Arctic Zones
Because the Arctic or the north pole is a bit warmer, it has a wider variety of animal life than the south pole. Some of the animals found in the Arctic region are:
  • Penguins
  • Reindeer
  • Orcas
  • Polar bears
  • Arctic fox
  • Arctic hares
  • Various seals and walruses
In Antarctica, you can find:
  • Various types of penguins
  • Seals
  • Birds
  • Albatrosses
  • Killer whales
Parts of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Russia, and Alaska are in the Arctic circle, which is an imaginary line around the north pole. The area outside of the Arctic circle is called the sub-arctic. Some people do live in these areas, which are further away from the north pole and a bit warmer.
The Temperate Climate Zone
The temperate climate zone is an area where the temperatures are mild. In fact, the word temperate means mild or pleasant. Both warm and cold climates exist in the temperate climate zone:
  • In the warm climates, the winters are mild and wet, and the summers are hot and dry
  • In the cool climates, the winters are cold with snow and freezing temperatures, but the summers are warm
  • There are four seasons in temperate climate zones: fall, winter, spring, and summer
A lot of the United States, Europe, and the southern half of South America fall within this climate zone.
Life in the Temperate Zones
Many different animals live in the temperate zone, including:
  • Bears
  • Lions
  • Deer
  • Mice
  • Rabbits
  • Snakes
Fruits and vegetables that grow in temperate climate zones include:
  • Peaches, apples, plums, and strawberries
  • Tomatoes, corn, wheat, potatoes, and onions
The Tropical Climate Zone
The tropical climate zone is just north and south of the equator. More than 40 percent of the people on Earth live in this climate zone. Key facts about tropical climates:
  • The temperatures are very warm in these regions
  • Tropical climate zones get a lot of rain, especially in the summertime, which makes it very humid
  • In wintertime, there is less rain than in the summer, but it still stays warm
  • The Congo in West Africa and the Amazon in Brazil are both rain forests and examples of tropical climates
  • Thousands of islands like Kauai, Bora Bora, and Tahiti are also located in tropical climates
  • Unlike temperate climates that have four seasons, tropical climates have very little seasonal changes
  • It stays warm all year long, which means that things can grow all year long in these climates
Life in the Tropical Zones
Tropical climates have the most diverse animals and plants in the world. In fact, most of our animal and plant species come from tropical climates.
Animals that live in tropical climates include:
  • Jaguars
  • Gorillas
  • Toucans
  • Sloths
  • Monkeys
  • Macaws
Many invertebrates like butterflies, centipedes, scorpions, spiders, snails, and beetles are found in tropical climates. There are also many freshwater and saltwater fish in tropical regions that are near the water.
Foods that grow in tropical climate zones:
  • Bananas, oranges, lemons, limes, and pineapples
  • Coffee, chocolate, sugar, vanilla, and rice
Climate Zones: A Beautiful Earth
If Goldilocks was looking for a place to live, she might say that the polar climate zone was too cold, and that the tropical climate zone was too hot, but the temperate climate zone was just right. But the truth is, all these zones appeal to many different people for various reasons.
Each zone has unique cultures, scenery, and activities, as well as various plants, animal life, and terrain. Altogether, they make up one beautiful Earth. The diversity of our planet's climate zones contributes to its richness and wonder, making it a fascinating place to explore and learn about.