I am excited to share with you these free learning printables featuring wild animal families. These puzzles and cards are perfect for preschool and kindergarten children who are curious about the animal kingdom.
With these printables, you can create hands-on activities that will not only entertain your students but also help them learn about different wild animal families. Each puzzle features a beautiful photograph of a wild animal family, allowing students to see these animals in their natural habitats. The matching cards provide an additional way for students to reinforce their learning and memory skills.
These printables are perfect for spring, summer, and fall-themed activities in your Montessori or early childhood classroom. You can use them during circle time to introduce new concepts, as a center activity for students to work on independently, or even as a take-home activity for students to continue their learning at home.
Incorporating these printables into your classroom will not only help your students learn about wild animal families but also develop their fine motor skills, visual discrimination, and cognitive abilities. Plus, the colorful photographs are sure to capture their attention and spark their curiosity about the world around them.
About Wild Animals and their families that are included in the free printable
Wild Animal Families is a fantastic topic for preschool students as it introduces them to various species of animals and helps them understand the concept of family and social bonds in the animal kingdom.
Alligators are fascinating reptiles that live in freshwater habitats like swamps, marshes, and rivers. They are known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth.
Male alligators: Male alligators are typically larger than females, with some reaching lengths of over 13 feet. They are known for their loud bellowing calls during mating season to attract females and establish their territory.
Female alligators: Female alligators are slightly smaller than males, with some reaching lengths of around 10 feet. Females are responsible for building nests and laying eggs, which they carefully guard until they hatch. Female alligators are also known to be very protective of their young.
Young alligators: Baby alligators are called hatchlings and are about 6-8 inches long when they are born. They are born from eggs that are laid in nests made of vegetation and mud. Baby alligators stay with their mother for the first year of their life, learning important survival skills like hunting and finding food.
The alligator family is a close-knit group that relies on each other for survival and protection. Alligators are important predators in their ecosystems and help maintain the balance of the food chain.
Bears are large, strong mammals that can be found in various regions around the world. In a bear family, there is usually a male bear (called a boar), a female bear (called a sow), and their young (called cubs).
The male bear is typically larger and stronger than the female bear, and he plays an important role in protecting and providing for the family. The female bear is responsible for caring for the cubs and teaching them important survival skills. Cubs are born blind and helpless, so they rely on their mother for nourishment and protection.
Bears are known for their close-knit family groups, with mothers often staying with their cubs for up to two years before they are ready to venture out on their own. During this time, the cubs learn how to hunt, fish, and survive in the wild from their mother.
Deer are beautiful and graceful animals that can be found in forests, meadows, and even in some urban areas. A group of deer is called a herd, and they typically live in small family groups.
Male deer are called bucks, and they usually have antlers that they use to defend themselves and attract mates. Female deer are called does, and they do not have antlers. Young deer are called fawns, and they are born in the late spring or early summer.
Deer families usually consist of a mother, father, and their offspring. The mother deer takes care of the fawns, while the father deer protects the family and helps provide food. Deer families are very close-knit and will often stay together for the first year or two of the fawn’s life.
Deer are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They feed on grasses, leaves, twigs, and berries. They are also known to eat fruits and vegetables from gardens, which can sometimes cause conflicts with humans.
Dolphins are highly social creatures that live in groups called pods. In a dolphin pod, there are usually about 10-12 individuals, although some pods can be much larger.
In a dolphin pod, there are usually male dolphins, female dolphins, and young dolphins known as calves. Male dolphins are called bulls, female dolphins are called cows, and young dolphins are called calves.
Male dolphins are typically larger than female dolphins and can grow up to 12 feet long, while female dolphins are usually around 9 feet long. Male dolphins also have larger dorsal fins and longer teeth than female dolphins.
Dolphin calves are born after a gestation period of about 12 months. Calves are usually about 3-4 feet long at birth and are very dependent on their mothers for the first few years of their lives.
Dolphin families are very close-knit and often work together to hunt for food and protect each other from predators. Dolphins are known for their playful and intelligent behavior, and watching a dolphin pod interact with each other is a fascinating sight for kids and adults alike.
Eagles are majestic birds of prey that are known for their incredible strength and keen eyesight. They are skilled hunters and are able to spot their prey from great distances.
Male eagles, also known as tercel, are typically slightly smaller than female eagles, or hens, but both are equally powerful and skilled hunters. They have sharp talons and beaks that they use to catch and tear apart their prey.
Eagles typically mate for life, forming strong bonds with their partners. They build large nests high up in trees or on cliffs to raise their young. The female eagle lays 1-3 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks once they hatch.
Young eagles, also known as eaglets, are born with fluffy down feathers and grow rapidly in the first few weeks of their lives. They rely on their parents for food and protection until they are old enough to fend for themselves. As they grow, they are taught to hunt and fly by their parents until they are ready to leave the nest and establish their own territory.
Foxes are fascinating animals that belong to the Canidae family, which also includes dogs and wolves. They are known for their beautiful fur coats and bushy tails. Male foxes are called dogs, females are called vixens, and young foxes are called kits or cubs.
Fox families live in underground burrows called dens, which they dig themselves or take over from other animals like badgers. Foxes are excellent hunters and mainly eat small mammals, birds, and insects.
Their offspring are born in the spring. Fox kits are born blind and helpless but quickly grow and learn essential skills from their parents, such as hunting and grooming.
Fox families are known for their tight bonds and strong social structure. The parents work together to raise and protect their young, teaching them important survival skills until they are old enough to leave the den and establish their territories.
Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds known for their incredible speed and agility. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, and they can be found throughout the Americas.
Male hummingbirds are often more brightly colored than females, with vibrant iridescent feathers that shimmer in the sunlight. Females tend to have more subdued colors and markings, which help them blend in with their surroundings when they are sitting on their nests.
The female is responsible for building the nest, which is usually made of plant material and held together with spider silk. She lays one or two small eggs, which are incubated by the female for about two weeks before hatching.
Once the eggs hatch, the mother feeds the chicks a diet of nectar, insects, and small spiders. The young hummingbirds grow quickly and are ready to leave the nest after just a few weeks.
Lions are large and powerful animals that belong to the cat family. In a lion family, there is usually a dominant male, one or more females, and their young cubs.
The male lion is known as the “king of the jungle” and is easily recognized by his mane of hair around his neck. He is responsible for protecting the pride (group of lions) and is in charge of defending their territory.
The female lions, also known as lionesses, are the primary hunters of the pride. They work together to stalk and take down prey for the family to eat. Lionesses are also responsible for caring for the cubs and teaching them essential survival skills.
The young lions, called cubs, are born blind and helpless. They rely on their mother and the other female lions in the pride to care for them and teach them how to hunt and survive in the wild. As they grow, they learn important life skills and eventually become independent members of the pride.
Lion families are close-knit and work together to ensure the survival and well-being of all members. They have a strong bond and rely on each other for protection, food, and companionship. Lions are social animals that live in groups called prides, and they communicate through vocalizations such as roars, grunts, and growls.
Owls belong to the order Strigiformes and are nocturnal birds of prey known for their large eyes, sharp beaks, and ability to fly silently. They are found all over the world, except in Antarctica.
Both male and female owls play important roles in caring for their young.
Owls typically mate for life and work together to hunt for food and raise their young. A group of owls is called a parliament, and they are known for their strong family bonds.
When owls have babies, known as owlets, the parents take turns caring for and feeding the young. Owlets are born helpless and rely on their parents for food and protection.
As the owlets grow and develop, they learn important skills from their parents, such as hunting and flying. Eventually, they will leave the nest to start their own families.
Owls are fascinating birds that demonstrate strong family values and provide important lessons on caring for one another.
Wombats are marsupials found in Australia and are known for their burrowing habits. A baby wombat is called a joey.
Wombats are solitary animals, but they do have family units. A female wombat will give birth to one baby at a time and carry it in her pouch for about 6 to 9 months.
Wombat families communicate through scent marking and vocalizations. They will often rub their scent on trees and rocks to mark their territory and communicate with other wombats. They also make grunting and growling sounds to communicate with each other.
Wombats are herbivores and mainly eat grasses, roots, and bark. They have strong teeth and jaws that help them to chew through tough vegetation.
Here are some key points you may life to cover when teaching about wild animal families:
What is a Family:
Start by explaining to the students that families exist not only in humans but also in the animal world. Describe the basic definition of a family as a group of related individuals living together and taking care of each other.
Types of Wild Animal Families:
Introduce the concept that different animal species have different types of family structures. For example, some animals live in groups called herds or packs, while others have smaller family units called litter or cubs.
Animal Parents and Offspring:
Show pictures and discuss various animal parents and their offspring. Talk about how animals take care of their babies, including providing food, and protection, and teaching them important skills. Highlight examples such as elephants, lions, wolves, and penguins.
Animal Siblings:
Explain to the students that just like in human families, animal families can have more than one baby, resulting in siblings. Discuss how siblings learn and play together, teaching each other important social and survival skills.
Animal Homes:
Discuss where different animal families live, such as nests, burrows, dens, or even underwater habitats. Focus on the importance of these homes in providing safety and shelter for the family.
Animal Communication:
Teach the students about how animals communicate within their families. Show videos or pictures of animal parents and offspring communicating through vocalizations, body language, or scent marking.
Adaptations:
Highlight the unique adaptations of different animal families that help them survive in their specific environments. For instance, discuss how thick fur protects bear families in cold climates, or how kangaroos carry their offspring in their pouches.
Interactions Among Families:
Describe how different animal families interact with each other, such as competing for food or territory. Explain that while some animals form alliances and cooperate, others may compete.
Conservation:
Talk about the importance of protecting wild animal families and their habitats. Teach the students about conservation efforts and how they can contribute at a young age, such as recycling and not littering.
Hands-On Activities:
Engage the students in hands-on activities such as creating animal family crafts, matching animal parents with their babies.
Sorting animal families: Create a sorting activity where students have to match different pictures of animals to their corresponding families. This can help students learn about the different classifications of animals, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
Animal family board game: Design a board game where students have to navigate through different animal habitats and answer questions about the various animal families they encounter along the way. This game can be a fun way for students to test their knowledge of different animal groups.
Animal classification puzzles: Provide students with puzzles that depict different animals and have them sort the pieces into the correct family groups. This hands-on activity can help reinforce the concepts of animal classification and encourage critical thinking skills.
Animal family scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where students have to find different items or pictures of animals from specific families. This activity can be paired with a nature walk or outdoor exploration to make it more engaging for students.
Animal family matching cards: Create a set of matching cards with pictures of animals and their corresponding family names. Students can play a memory matching game or use the cards to practice identifying different animal families.
Animal family dioramas: Have students create dioramas depicting different animal families and their habitats. This hands-on activity allows students to use their creativity and knowledge of animal classification to showcase their understanding of different animal groups.
Remember to keep the lessons age-appropriate and interactive by incorporating storytelling, pictures, videos, and props. Encourage students to ask questions and explore their curiosity about wild animal families.
Free printable
You are invited to download the puzzles and cards with wild animal families – learning printables for preschool and kindergarten children. Use this resource with photographs to create hands-on spring, summer, and fall-themed activities for your students. This resource will be useful if you plan to explore the animal kingdom in your Montessori and early childhood classroom.
Use this printable to help children learn the correct terminology of the families in the animal kingdom. This printable is made in the form of 10 puzzles. The purpose behind it is to allow children to self-correct their work as they match members of each family.
This printable also includes a set with cards instead of puzzles that can be used for sorting into categories – females, males, and young.
HERE IS WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 10 x puzzles featuring wild animal families
- 10 x card sets featuring wild animal families
Each card set contains 4 cards that present an animal, male, female, and young of ten animals such as a bear, alligator, fox, wombat, deer, owl, hummingbird, dolphin, lion, and eagle.
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