ANIMALS & THEIR HABITATS

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The cheetah runs as fast as a car on the highway. While an elephant lifts 400 pounds with its trunk. And a blue whale is the same length as three school buses parked end to end! These types of facts absolutely fascinate children…and me too!

The sorting activity and free printable featured today is perfect for teaching animal habitats for kindergarten. Or even older preschoolers. The best part is this play based learning experience will help your child come to understand more about the world around them.

Why should a child know about animals and their habitats?

I frequently find my 7, 5, and 3 year old sprinting through the house at top speed. They’ll shout, “I’m as fast as a cheetah!” We live in North America so this animal is not in their immediate environment. Yet, my children are still curious to know and understand all animals. What about yours? 

In short, a child has an innate curiosity to understand the world around them. By introducing them to sorting animals by habitat we are helping them to recognize characteristics of their own environment, as well as recognizing that various animals have different adaptations. These adaptations allow them to live and thrive in their environment. Overall, your child can come to appreciate how God’s world is connected yet different.

Books to read to teach about animal habitats for kindergarten.

Firstly, Habitats a Journey in Nature by Hannah Pang is an excellent choice. Secondly, Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats by Jim Arnosky is another wonderful selection for your homeschool. The illustrations convey everything you need to know about each habitat and facts are included.

Animal habitats for kindergarten books are easy to come by. A favorite for our family is a series by Kate Messner: Over and Under the Pond. Also, many more are available including the Rainforest and Wetlands. Patricia Hegarty’s books Above and Below and Above and Below: Sea and Seashore. These are excellent animal habitats for kindergarten read-aloud books.

The 6 animal habitats for kindergarten: features and common animals found in them.

Firstly, Savannah & grassland habitats

Grass predominantly covers both biomes. But Savannahs also include a few scattered trees. The animals found in these locations are zebras, elephants, giraffes and lions.

Secondly, marine habitats. 

Normally defined for aquatic environments with high salinity. Animals found here are dolphins and sharks. And sea turtles, starfish, and so many more! Also, this includes animals we don’t even know exist.

Jungle.

A jungle has a highly dense growth of vegetation. From the canopy to the forest floor, many animals call this their home.  Because of this there is a large variety of animals found here. These include a jaguar, macaw, gorillas, and the red-eyed tree frog.

Mountains and polar.

Think snow and ice, cold temperatures, and strong winds. Because of this picture a barren land. As a result, you wouldn’t think any animals could live here. But many animals still call this their home. These include the bald eagle, mountain goat, snow leopard, and seal.

Forest.

Woodlands are home to deer and squirrels, as well as owls and bears. These creatures and many more are often characterized as being cute. Despite forests or woodlands being home to adorable furry animals they can also have ferocious creatures. In addition, there are a lot of trees present here. This allows for a similar variety in wildlife as a jungle. 

Lastly, desert.

Lastly, a desert habitat is only suited to very few animals and plants. This life has adapted to survive little water. The animals found here include the camel and fennec fox, as well as the rattlesnake and iguana.

Turn this sorting activity: animal habitats for kindergarten into a game.

I love turning sorting activities into games by simply hiding the animals. Your child’s age will determine how well you hide these animals throughout a room. After cutting all the animals out I use rolled masking tape to stick them to any surface while the kids are in another room.

Then, the kiddos return and they must find each one. I help my child sort the animals to the appropriate habitat correctly as they find them. Once all are found, and sorted, we hide them again. As we repeat this, and my kiddos could do it all day, they begin to memorize the characteristics of each animal. In addition, the habitat they are adapted for.

Additional tips for the animal habitats for kindergarten sorting activity.

To help keep the animals sturdy with the tape I print and laminate them before cutting out. You can also opt not to use the ink to print the environment pictures in the printable and simply print the animals. Then use different colors of construction paper for the environments of the habitats.

Another tip is to begin with all the animals already sorted on the mats and describe the habitats. This can also kickstart the memorizing of where each animal belongs. Reading the books mentioned above can also expedite this process. 

More animal sorting activities.

If you enjoyed this animal habitats for kindergarten sorting activity then you might enjoy these: Who lays eggs? This post explores the different animals whose life cycles include laying eggs. Another option is comparing nocturnal vs. diurnal animals is another sorting activity that teaches about animals who are awake by the light of the moon.

Ii is for Insect dives into the difference between a bug and an insect with a unique sticker sorting activity and Ww is for Water explores more of marine wildlife. Playing for Hours offers all these free resources at Letter of the Week!

Learn about more animals with Letter of the Week.

Letters like Bb is for Bird, Cc is for Caterpillar, and Ff is for Frog. Also, Ii is for Insect, Jj is for Jellyfish, Oo is for Owl, Ww is for water, and Zz is for Zebra all feature animals. Best of all these are all play based learning opportunities. Explore more by following the links or click the button below to sign up and have access to each one.

Animal habitats for kindergarten free printable.

Overall, the animals who inhabit the world around us are fascinating in their differences and similarities. Don’t miss this play based learning opportunity for your child to learn more about God’s creation. Get it free below!