Animal Activities for Elementary Students
My kids love animals. Whether it’s wild creatures or household pets, animal-themed activities are always a win around here. I am excited to share the Animal Activities for Elementary Students that my children enjoyed. It will help make your lessons more engaging.
My Animal Activities for Kids list has more of our animal learning fun. It’s packed with crafts, worksheets, science studies, and more.
I’m sharing a collection of creative animal crafts, hands-on learning tools, and interesting facts to explore. Scroll through and bookmark your favorites. There’s something here for every curious learner.
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Uncommon Animal Facts That Fascinate Kids
My kids love hearing random animal facts. It’s one of those easy ways to sneak in learning during lunch or while we’re in the car. Here are a few they couldn’t stop talking about:
- Octopuses have three hearts: Two pump blood to the gills, and one sends it to the rest of the body. When they swim, the heart that serves the body stops beating.
- Cows have best friends: Studies show they form strong bonds with other cows and get stressed when separated.
- A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance: Not only is it fun to say, but it’s also one of the most colorful groups in the animal kingdom.
Recommended Animal Books
Books are a great way to expand on any animal study. I keep a few themed books on our shelves year-round to match what we’re learning.
The Fascinating Animal Book for Kids: 500 Wild Facts! (Fascinating Facts)Adorable Animals (National Geographic Kids Readers, Level 2)An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (DK Children’s Anthologies)Weird But True! AnimalsKnowledge Encyclopedia: Animals (Knowledge Encyclopedia For Children)The Animal Book: A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth (DK Our World in Pictures)
Why should kids learn about animal species?
Understanding animals helps kids make sense of the world around them and builds empathy for living things.
- Connects them to nature: Kids develop a deeper appreciation for the environment.
- Supports science learning: Great introduction to biology, habitats, and life cycles.
- Builds observation skills: Watching how animals move and behave sharpens attention.
- Encourages responsibility: Even learning about pets helps kids understand care and needs.
Printable Animal Activities We Use Often
These printable packs have been lifesavers during our unit studies. They’re full of engaging content that keeps my kids learning without requiring extensive prep work in advance.
Must-Have Supplies for Animal Activities
Here’s what I keep on hand for our animal crafts and experiments:
- Paper plates and cups
- Construction paper
- Glue and glue sticks
- Scissors (kid-safe)
- Markers and crayons
- Cotton balls
- Googly eyes
- Craft sticks
- and more, depending on the activity
Animal Toys That Add to the Fun
I like having a mix of animal figurines and themed toys to support pretend play and creative storytelling.
Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Cube Puzzle With Storage Tray – 6 Puzzles in 1 (16 pcs) – FSC Certified4-Pack Puzzles for Kids Ages 6-8 8-10 Year Old – Lions Horses Owls Dolphins, Large Piece Puzzles for Seniors, 100 Pieces Jigsaw Puzzles for Kids Ages 4-6, Learning Educational Toys for Boys and GirlsPuzzles for Kids Ages 4-8,8-10 and Adults, Elephant Animal Shaped Jigsaw Puzzles 200 Pieces for Wall Home DecorConcept Kids Animals – Cooperative Animal Guessing Game for Children! Fun Family Board Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 4+, 2-12 Players, 20 Minute Playtime, Made by Repos ProductionHABA Animal Upon Animal – Classic Wooden Stacking Game: Ultimate Family Board Games for Kids and Adults, Fun Dexterity Party Activity Ages 4-8, Made in ChinaSkillmatics Guess in 10 Animal Planet, Card Game, Perfect for Boys, Girls, Kids, Teens, Adults Who Love Animals, Trivia Games, Travel Games, Gifts for Ages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and Up
Interesting Topics You Can Talk About
We transform our activities into deeper discussions with minimal effort. It keeps the learning natural and fun.
- Habitats: Where animals live and why it matters.
- Adaptations: How animals survive in extreme conditions.
- Food chains: Who eats what and how everything connects.
- Endangered species: Why some animals need protection.
- Animal communication: Sounds, signals, and behaviors.
More Fun Animal Activities to Try
Here are more fun ideas to extend your animal studies at home:
- Fun Animal Life Cycles for Kids
- Food Chain Worksheets
- Food Web Activities for Kids
- Toilet Paper Roll Owl Craft by Homeschool Preschool
- Going on a Bear Hunt Printables by Crystal and Comp
We’ve had a lot of fun exploring animals with these activities. Let me know which ones your kids enjoyed most or if you tried something new. I’m always looking for more creative ideas to add to our collection.