Read, set, match!
This activity is very simple and will spark lots of conversation around topics your child may not have explored yet. The idea of camouflage and hiding in the environment to survive is a fun way to explore how animals live in the wild. All you’ll need is the included printable and some small toy animals. Then, have your child match an animal with the correct environment and discuss their many unique qualities!
📚 Books to explore: Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats by Jim Arnosky; Listen to Our World by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson; and The Magic School Bus Hops Home: A Book About Animal Habitats by Patricia Relf.
🐅 Survival of the fittest. This is a great opportunity to learn about the food chain and what different animals do to survive.
🔀 Change it up. Try placing some animals in the wrong environments and help your child figure out which ones don’t belong where they have been placed.
Materials
For this activity you will need:
Printable
Small toy animals
Learning Outcomes
Domain
Social
Skills
Interacting with adults
Indicators:
Engaging adults in activities in a positive way
Instructions
Step 1:
Print the included printable.
Step 2:
Gather some small toy animals.
Step 3:
Encourage your child to match each animal with the correct environment and talk more about how they can blend in.
⬆️ For older preschoolers: See if they can tell you why a particular animal lives in the environment they have picked.
⬇️ For younger toddlers: Have them try and match just a couple of animals that live in these habitats.
Playful Questions
What animals live in cold weather?
What animals live in hot weather?
How can an animal hide from other animals?
How do different colors help keep animals safe?
What environment do you think is the best? Why?
