Parts of the Snail and Snail Life Cycle Printables

You are invited to download the snail pack – learning printables for preschool and kindergarten children. Use this resource with clear true-to-life images and photographs to create hands-on science activities for your students. Children will learn the stages of the snail life cycle, and parts of a snail, practice sequencing skills, and work to improve their concentration and fine motor skills. This resource will come in handy when exploring spring and summer units and learning about invertebrates and all the crawling creatures.

About snails

Snails are invertebrates that can be found in gardens, forests, and even in the sea. They have shells on their backs that protect them from harm. Snails move slowly by sliding on a trail of slimy mucus that they produce. They eat plants, leaves, and sometimes even dead animals. Snails also have an interesting feature – they can retract their bodies into their shells for protection. Some people even keep snails as pets and watch them grow and move around. Overall, snails are fascinating creatures that are fun to learn about!

During the summer months, snails tend to be more active due to the warmer temperatures and increased rainfall. This allows them to move around and feed more easily, making them more visible in gardens and other outdoor spaces. However, the dry and hot conditions of summer can also be harmful to snails, as they need moisture to survive. Snails may seek shelter during the day and come out at night when it is cooler and more humid. It is important to provide a suitable environment for snails, such as damp soil or a water source, to ensure their well-being during the summer season.

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Snail life cycle

Snails are mollusks that undergo a fascinating life cycle. It starts with the hatching of eggs which results in the birth of tiny baby snails. These snails grow up to become adults and reproduce through sexual reproduction by exchanging sperm. Fertilized eggs develop either inside the adult snail’s body or in a protected nest. These eggs then hatch, and the cycle continues. Snails have both male and female reproductive organs and can often mate with any other snail they encounter, regardless of gender. The life cycle of a snail can range from a few months to several years depending on the species.

Snail hands-on learning activities

  • Snail race: Set up a snail race by using a piece of cardboard or a shallow container. Place two or three snails in the container and mark a start and finish line. Let the children cheer the snails up, and the first snail to cross the finish line wins.
  • Snail observation: Collect a few snails and let the children observe them closely. Point out their shell, eyes, antennae, and other features. See if they can identify the differences between snails.
  • Snail shell collage: Collect a few snail shells and let the children use them to make a collage. Provide various colored paper, glue, and other embellishments to decorate the collage.
  • Snail habitat construction: Build a snail habitat using a shallow container, soil, and leaves. Add in a few small rocks and sticks. Dress it with moss and ferns. Put a couple of snails in it and observe how they adapt to their new environment.
  • Snail maze: Create a snail maze with wooden blocks, cardboard, and basic materials. Infuse the snail children’s creative expression to build different paths and obstacles. Watch the snails worm their way around the maze.
  • Snail slime experiment: Introduce children to the slimy world of snails with this oozy experiment. Let them play around with snail slime by slowly crossing their fingers or hands in the slime to see how it feels.
  • Snail shell sorting: Collect different-sized snail shells a mix in a container. Get a few cardboards and let the children sort the shells based on size or color.
  • Snail counting: Use snails for a counting activity. You can do this one of two ways: Either put a specific number of snails in front of the children and ask them to count them, or blindfold children, and have them guess how many snails are in a jar.
  • Snail trail tracing: Using a blackboard or a whiteboard, draw out different snail trails, from curvy to straight paths, and let the children trace the lines using a pencil that can help to develop their motor skills.
  • Snail shell art: Allow kids to decorate their own snail shells using watercolors, markers, sequins, and other art materials to create colorful, personalized snail-shell art pieces.

parts of snail life cycle printable

Children aged 3-5 years old can benefit greatly from learning about snails, their parts, and their life cycle. They love learning about invertebrate creatures. This resource can be a helpful addition to your Minibeasts unit, and spring and summer hands-on activities for your preschool classroom.

Parts of a snail and snail life cycle printables are great teaching tools for preschool children as they help them understand the benefits of snails and their importance in the ecosystem. By learning about the various parts of a snail such as the shell, foot, and tentacles, children will be able to identify and recognize a snail when they see one. Understanding the snail life cycle, from eggs to adult, can help children appreciate the natural world and ecosystems. These activities can also encourage children to engage in more outdoor exploration and become curious about the creatures around them.

Here is what’s included

  • Snail life cycle diagram
  • Snail life cycle 3 part cards
  • Snail life cycle coloring, cutting, and pasting worksheet (color and blackline)
  • Snail life cycle tracing strips
  • Snail life cycle information cards
  • Parts of a Snail diagram
  • Parts of a Snail diagram minus labels
  • Parts of a Snail labels
  • Parts of a Snail information cards
  • Parts of a Snail tracing & independent writing worksheet
  • Parts of a Snail student booklet (independent writing)
  • Species of Snails 3 part cards
  • Species of Snails information cards
  • Snail characteristics color poster
  • Snail characteristics black line poster
  • Snail characteristics mat
  • Snail characteristics color cards
  • Snail characteristics tracing & coloring student booklet
  • Snail characteristics student booklet
  • Snail information poster
  • My Book of Snails
  • Snail Food vs Preditors sorting cards
  • Snail anatomy diagram adjective activity
  • Snail preposition cards
Parts of snail life cycle types of snails montessori nature printable

Parts of a Snail Life Cycle Facts Pack

$7.00

This Snail Pack with learning printables is great for preschool and kindergarten children. Use this resource with clear true-to-life images and photographs to create hands-on science activities for your students. Children will learn the stages of the snail life cycle, and parts of the snail, practice sequencing skills and work to improve their concentration and…


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About Anastasia - Anastasia is an early childhood teacher and the founder of Montessori Nature - a blog about Montessori living and learning and nature-based explorations. With many years of experience working in a Montessori environment and homeschooling her children, she directed her passion for all things Montessori and nature into creating educational resources. You can learn more here and browse her printables on Teachers Pay Teachers.