Free Printable - 10 Types Of Vertebrates And 10 Types Of Invertebrates

Spring and summer seasons present plenty of perfect opportunities to introduce preschool and kindergarten children to the fascinating world of animals. With our free printable, Summer themed Animal Picture Cards for Sorting, you can create engaging and interactive activities that will help your young students learn about vertebrates and invertebrates.

Summer sort vertebrates and invertebrates free printables.

About Animals in Summer

There are many different types of animals found during the summer season. Some of these are vertebrates, which have backbones, while others are invertebrates, which do not.

Vertebrates are a diverse group of animals that can be found in different habitats, including land, water, and air. Some common vertebrates that may be seen during the summer include:

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Birds: Birds are known for their beautiful colors and distinctive songs. During the summer, many species of birds migrate to areas with warm weather. Some popular birds that can be seen during the summer include gulls, sandpipers, blue jays, and robins.

Reptiles: Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that are known for their scales or shells. Some common reptiles that can be found during the summer include snakes, turtles, and lizards. Many reptiles spend much of their time in the sun to regulate their body temperature.

Amphibians: Amphibians are animals that live in both water and land environments. Some popular amphibians that can be seen during the summer include frogs and toads. These animals breed during the summer, and many of them can be heard making their distinctive calls at night.

Invertebrates are animals that do not have backbones. There are many different types of invertebrates that can be found during the summer, including:

Insects: Insects are the most diverse group of invertebrates and can be found in nearly every habitat on Earth. Some common insects that can be seen during the summer include grasshoppers, butterflies, bees, and ants.

Spiders: Spiders are arachnids that have eight legs and are known for their ability to spin webs. During the summer, many species of spiders can be seen creating intricate webs in trees and bushes.

Crustaceans: Crustaceans are animals that have a hard exoskeleton and are usually found in aquatic habitats. Some common crustaceans that can be seen during the summer include crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.

Animals in summer Hands-on Activities for Children

As the sun shines brightly, animals are adapting to the changing seasons, and it’s a great time to learn about their habits, habitats, and behaviors.

Sorting Vertebrates and Invertebrates: Download our collection of animal pictures and ask the child to sort them into two categories, vertebrates and invertebrates.

Animal Habitat Match-Up: Provide pictures of different animals and their habitats. Ask the child to match the animal to its correct habitat.

Animal Tracks Hunt: Use our animal track cards and hide them around the backyard or park. Kids can use a magnifying glass to search and identify the animal tracks.

Butterfly Life Cycle: Teach children about the butterfly life cycle using pictures and hands-on activities such as making a butterfly life cycle craft using pasta or creating a butterfly garden.

Worm Composting: Set up a worm composting bin and teach children about the important role that worms play in composting.

Egg Hatching: Hatch chicken eggs in an incubator and teach children about animal reproduction and life cycles.

Pond Life Exploration: Take kids to a local pond or lake and provide nets and jars for them to explore and observe the different types of insects, tadpoles, and fish living in the water.

Bird Watching: Teach children about bird identification and encourage them to go on a bird watching walk around the neighborhood or local park.

Bug Hunt: Take kids on a bug hunt and teach them about the different types of insects and their distinguishing features.

Reptile and Amphibian Study: Set up a reptile and amphibian study area with books, pictures, and toy models for kids to learn about different species and their characteristics.

Marine Life Exploration: Visit a local beach or aquarium to learn about marine life and the different types of fish and creatures that live in the ocean.

Build an Insect Hotel: Create a small habitat for insects and teach children about the important role insects play in our ecosystem.

Fossil Dig: Create a simulated fossil dig by burying toy dinosaur skeletons or shells in sand or dirt and let children excavate and discover the fossils.

Animal Adaptation Study: Study how different animals have adapted to their environments in order to survive. You can use books, videos, and hands-on activities like creating animal habitats to demonstrate these adaptations.

Build a Birdhouse: Teach children about bird nesting habits and help them build a birdhouse to provide a safe home for birds.

Insect Anatomy Study: Teach children about insect anatomy and the different parts of an insect using toy models or pictures.

Create a Nature Journal: Encourage children to observe and record their findings in a nature journal, including drawings, descriptions, and observations of animals and plants they encounter throughout the summer.

Free Vertebrates and Invertebrates Sorting Cards

Our downloadable resource features ten types of vertebrates and ten types of invertebrates, each accompanied by a colorful photograph. The cards are designed to be easily sorted and categorized, making it a fun and educational experience for your students.

How to Use the Free Printable

Here are some creative ways to use the printable in your early childhood classroom:

Print out the cards and have your students sort the vertebrates and invertebrates into separate categories. This activity helps develop their critical thinking skills and encourages them to think about the characteristics of each animal.

Create a matching game by printing out multiple copies of the cards and having your students match the vertebrates and invertebrates with their corresponding pictures.

Use the cards to create a summer-themed animal habitat diorama. Have your students arrange the cards to represent different habitats, such as a forest, desert, or ocean.

Encourage your students to use the cards to create their own stories about the animals. This activity helps develop their language skills and imagination.

Have your students record their observations and thoughts about each animal using the cards as a reference. This activity helps develop their scientific inquiry skills and encourages them to think critically about each animal.

Make a skeleton using playdough to point out the difference between the two types of animal groups.

Gather Safari TOOB figurines and invite the children to sort animals into two groups – vertebrates and invertebrates

Explore the most common vertebrates and invertebrates found in your area – make a poster with your students.

Discuss in a small group all the different ways children can protect animals in their natural habitat.

Remember, this free printable is designed to be used as a starting point for creative learning experiences. Feel free to modify it to fit your teaching style and the needs of your students. Happy teaching!