KidZone Habitats
Activities for Young Children
(Preschool to Grade 2):
- Story: Bella the Bunny's Search for the Perfect Habitat
- Story: Cora the Sea Sprite
- Create a Habitat Diorama: Use shoeboxes and craft supplies to make mini versions of different habitats.
- Worksheet: Animal Habitats
- Habitats Coloring Pages
- Habitat Sorting Game: Use pictures or toys of animals and plants for kids to sort into the correct habitat.
- What You Need: Pictures of various animals and plants, and images or labels of different habitats (e.g., ocean, forest, desert).
- Activity: Spread out the habitat images/labels on a table or the floor. Mix up the animal and plant pictures and place them in a pile. Have the children pick one picture at a time and decide which habitat it belongs to, then place it near the correct habitat label. Discuss why each plant or animal fits in its habitat.
- Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts: Organize simple outdoor activities where children can explore local habitats and look for specific items.
- What You Need: A list of items to find or observe, pencils, and paper or a scavenger hunt sheet with pictures.
- Activity: Head to a nearby park, garden, or nature trail. Give each child a scavenger hunt sheet with items to find, like a certain type of leaf, a feather, or a rock. As they explore, they can check off the items they find. Encourage them to observe the environment and the living things they encounter, discussing the mini-habitats they discover along the way.
- Story and Craft Time: Read habitat-themed books and follow up with a related craft, like making animal masks or painting rocks.
Here are five delightful children's books suitable for kindergarten level, each related to different habitats. These books combine engaging stories with educational content, making them perfect for introducing young readers to the concept of habitats:
"Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek" by Marianne Berkes and Jill Dubin
- This rhyming book invites children to explore the forest habitat, introducing them to various forest animals and their activities. The engaging illustrations and rhythmic text make it a fun read-aloud book that encourages counting and movement.
- Squirrel leaf and paper craft
"Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea" by Jan Peck and Valeria Petrone
- Join a young adventurer as he imagines swimming in the ocean, encountering all sorts of sea creatures along the way. This story combines imagination with real ocean habitat facts, making it an underwater exploration that kindergarteners will love.
- Whale paper plate craft
- "Cactus Hotel" by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a giant cactus in the desert and how it serves as a "hotel" for various desert creatures throughout its life, providing shelter and sustenance. It's a wonderful introduction to the desert ecosystem and the concept of interdependence among species.
"The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest" by Lynne Cherry
- Through stunning illustrations and a compelling story, this book teaches children about the importance of conservation and the interconnectedness of life in the rainforest habitat. It's a beautiful introduction to the biodiversity of the Amazon.
- Leaf butterfly paper craft
"Who Lives Here? Polar Animals" by Deborah Hodge and Pat Stephens
- This book introduces young readers to the animals that inhabit the polar regions, explaining how they are adapted to survive in such cold habitats. The simple text and realistic illustrations make it accessible and informative for kindergarteners.
- polar bear paper plate craft
Each of these books offers a unique window into different habitats, providing a mix of storytelling, factual information, and interactive elements that cater to the curiosity and learning style of kindergarten-aged children.
- Habitat Songs and Rhymes: Teach songs or rhymes that help children remember facts about each habitat. Here are a few song suggestions:
Down in the Jungle
"Down in the Jungle" is a fun and engaging song often sung with actions, making it a hit among preschool and kindergarten children. While there are many variations, here's a common version of the lyrics:
Down in the jungle where nobody goes,
There's a big fat elephant washing his toes,
With a rub-a-dub here, and a rub-a-dub there,
That's the way he washes his toes!Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be silly?
Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be wild?
Silly and foolish the whole day through,
Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be silly?Down in the jungle where there's nobody there,
There's a great big gorilla combing his hair,
With a comb-a-comb here, and a comb-a-comb there,
That's the way he combs his hair!Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be silly?
Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be wild?
Silly and foolish the whole day through,
Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be silly?Down in the jungle where the stars are so bright,
There's a big hungry lion creeping tonight,
With a sneak-a-sneak here, and a sneak-a-sneak there,
Watch out! He might give you a fright!Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be silly?
Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be wild?
Silly and foolish the whole day through,
Boom, boom, boom, ain't it great to be silly?
I Love the Mountains
I love the mountains,
I love the rolling hills,
I love the flowers,
I love the daffodils,
I love the fireside,
When the lights are low.
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom.
This version of the song focuses on the appreciation of natural landscapes and cozy moments. For an educational twist related to mountain habitats, you might consider adding verses about specific animals or plants found in the mountains, or about the importance of preserving these natural areas. For example:
I love the eagles,
Soaring high above,
I love the pine trees,
And the snow foxes I love,
I love to hike and breathe,
The crisp mountain air.Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom.
Going on a Bear Hunt (through habitats)
We're going on a bear hunt, (We're going on a bear hunt)
We're going to catch a big one, (We're going to catch a big one)
I've got my binoculars, (I've got my binoculars)
I'm not scared, (I'm not scared)
What a beautiful day! (What a beautiful day!)
Oh look! Tall grass! (Oh look! Tall grass!)
We can't go over it, (We can't go over it)
We can't go under it, (We can't go under it)
We'll have to go through it! (We'll have to go through it!)
Swishy swashy, swishy swashy. (Swishy swashy, swishy swashy.)
Oh look! A deep river! (Oh look! A deep river!)
We can't go over it, (We can't go over it)
We can't go under it, (We can't go under it)
We'll have to swim through it! (We'll have to swim through it!)
Splash splosh, splash splosh. (Splash splosh, splash splosh.)
Oh look! A thick forest! (Oh look! A thick forest!)
We can't go over it, (We can't go over it)
We can't go under it, (We can't go under it)
We'll have to go through it! (We'll have to go through it!)
Stumble trip, stumble trip. (Stumble trip, stumble trip.)
Oh look! A dark cave! (Oh look! A dark cave!)
We can't go over it, (We can't go over it)
We can't go under it, (We can't go under it)
We'll have to go into it! (We'll have to go into it!)
Tiptoe tiptoe, tiptoe tiptoe. (Tiptoe tiptoe, tiptoe tiptoe.)
What's that? One shiny wet nose! (What's that? One shiny wet nose!)
Two big furry ears! (Two big furry ears!)
Two big goggly eyes! (Two big goggly eyes!)
IT'S A BEAR! (IT'S A BEAR!)
Quick! Back through the cave! (Tiptoe tiptoe, tiptoe tiptoe)
Back through the forest! (Stumble trip, stumble trip)
Back through the river! (Splash splosh, splash splosh)
Back through the grass! (Swishy swashy, swishy swashy)
We're not going on a bear hunt again! (We're not going on a bear hunt again!)
Other links you might enjoy:
- DLTK's Habitat Craft (crafts, coloring, recipes and more)
- Habitats Coloring Pages - includes different plant and animal species
- Kidzone Geography - includes different plant and animal species