Tapping into young children’s natural fascination with animals and animal behavior is a great way to engage little ones in animal-themed activities and stories that explore foundational concepts in science and biology. This article features fun sensory and art activities that invite children to discover the habitats of all kinds of animals.
This simple activity gives children an opportunity to discover the world of birds by creating their own birds’ nests. You’ll need brown playdough (find a recipe to make your own here), packaging strips (or shredded pieces of brown paper bags), and small bird figurines. You might also offer pretend feathers, sticks, leaves, and other found materials that children can add to their bird’s nest. Set everything out on the table and invite children to create a nest of their own!
This activity pairs particularly well with the children’s book, Bird Builds a Nest. Find a free read-aloud video of the book on Youtube.
These ocean-themed sensory bags are a fun way to explore all of the different types of fish and other aquatic life that make their homes underwater. To create these bags you will need the following items: ziplock bag, blue hair gel, glitter, sea animal toys, and packing or duct tape to seal the bag closed. Add all the items to the bag, and then close the bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing it shut. Invite children to squish, squeeze and explore the animals in the bags as they imagine life in a home under the sea.
Pair this activity with the children’s book Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? to explore the homes and habitats of aquatic animals.
Some animals carry their homes on their backs! This activity explores the seashells that are home to many beach-dwelling animals. To set up this simple process art activity, all you will need are the following materials: watercolors, paintbrushes, cups, and clean seashells. (You can find these on Amazon, and at local craft stores; or you might ask the families in your care if they have any shells that they would like to bring in). Offer the watercolors and shells to young children and invite them to paint them in whatever way they would like. While they paint, you might talk with them about the different kinds of animals that live inside shells!
This activity pairs well with the children’s book Seashells: More Than a Home, which explores different kinds of shells and their characteristics. Find a free read-aloud of the book on Youtube.
This simple sensory bin incorporates real grass, giving children a chance to explore the textures and land that animals such as cows and sheep like to graze on. To create this sensory bin, you’ll need a plastic bin, farm animal toys, and grass. You might also add in pine needles, twigs, or other natural materials that can be found outdoors in a farm environment. Once the bin is set up, invite little ones to explore as you chat with them about the farm and grazing lands that are these animals’ habitat.
This activity pairs well with the children’s book On the Farm, which explores all the animals that live on the farm.
