As parents and educators, we know that the early years of a child’s life are filled with curiosity and wonder. Children aged 3 to 5 are like little sponges, soaking up information about the world around them. One topic that consistently captures their imagination is the fascinating realm of animals!

To help nurture this natural curiosity, we are excited to introduce our Free Continent Animal Printable! This resource is specially designed for preschool and kindergarten students to elevate their learning experience about animals while exploring the diverse continents they inhabit.

Why Focus on Animals?

During these formative years, children often enter what educators call a “sensitive period” for learning about living creatures. It’s a time when their innate curiosity and desire to understand the world is particularly pronounced. By engaging with animals, children can develop a range of skills—from language and vocabulary to critical thinking and empathy.

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Animals ignite the imagination and offer endless opportunities for play and exploration. From majestic elephants roaming the savannahs of Africa to the cuddly koalas perched in eucalyptus trees of Australia, animals provide a gateway to discussions about habitats, ecosystems, and the importance of biodiversity.

Animals are abundant on all continents, each with its own unique species. The Americas are home to jaguars, bald eagles, and grizzly bears. Africa is widely known for its lions, elephants, and giraffes. Australia is famous for its kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils. The forests of Asia are inhabited by pandas, tigers, and orangutans.

Penguins, seals, and polar bears thrive in the icy landscapes of Antarctica and the Arctic. Europe boasts animals like brown bears, wolves, and lynx. Whether found on land, in the air, or beneath the sea, animals are an essential part of the ecosystems that sustain our planet.

What’s Inside the Continent Animal Printable?

Our beautifully illustrated Continent Animal Printable includes:

Continent map x 7 with labels
Continent map x 7 with labels and black and white animal images for matching
Animal round cards (5 per continent) x 35
PowerPoint file with editable labels for use in a different language

Clear Images: Each continent is represented by captivating pictures of animals that call it home. The graphics are designed to be child-friendly and visually engaging, encouraging young learners to identify and talk about their favorite creatures.

Geography Skills: Help children develop a foundational understanding of geography by linking animals to their respective continents. This can foster a sense of global awareness and appreciation for cultural differences.

How to Use the Printable

Here are some fun ways to incorporate the Continent Animal Printable into your learning activities:

Interactive Learning: Turn the printable into a fun matching game. Cut out the images of the animals and have your child match them to their continents. This activity enhances memory skills and reinforces learning in a playful manner!

Storytime Adventures: Use the animals as characters in a story. Ask your child to create a tale involving creatures from different continents. This encourages creativity and narrative skills.

Art Projects: Have your child color or create art inspired by the animals featured in the printable. This not only enhances fine motor skills but also allows for personal expression.

Animal Traits Exploration: Discuss the unique traits and habitats of each animal. What do they eat? Where do they live? Why are they important to their ecosystems? This can lead to a deeper understanding of environmental science.

Encourage Sharing: Invite your child to share fascinating facts about their chosen animal with family or friends. This practice builds confidence and communication skills.

This printable is designed to go along with the Safari TOOB toys. You can find packs with figurines included in the printable here.
Younger children can be invited to sort and match animals using continent rounds with black and white images. Print on cardstock, and cut the round mats and animals. Laminate if desired.

Alternatively, print color pages for sorting. After cutting (and laminating) mark the flip side of each animal card with the corresponding color using stickers, pencils, or permanent markers for self-check. After sorting animals into the continents, children can flip all animal cards and self-correct if needed.

For smaller size cards, check the ‘print 2 pages per sheet’ option.
Gather world continent maps and print them on A3 paper if you can. Invite the children to sort toy animals or cards into continents they belong.

PowerPoint file contains all the same resources as the main file. The difference is that you can edit all continent and animal labels if you wish to change the font or translate it into a different language.

Don’t forget to gather animal figurines to create fun hands-on picture-to-image matching activity for your students.

animals of the continents cards printable sorting

Click the link below to sign up and download your FREE Continent Animal Printable:

[Sign up and Download Continent Animal Printable Here!]

By utilizing this resource, you’re not just offering your child an opportunity to learn about animals; you’re also fostering a love for each continent’s unique wildlife. This printable serves as an engaging tool to make learning about animals both fun and educational.