Learn about animal habitats at National Geographic for Kids (Interactive!)
Interactive “Make a Toad Home” Activity
FREE Digital Science Lessons (secular, have not been screened for controversial topics.)
Animal Habitat Mini Sensory Tubs
FREE Printable Habitat Adventure Game
Watch a Science plant and animal habitats activity
Checkout our Preschool Zoo Series (freebies, printables, activities, and more!)
Here’s a great list of Animal Habitat Books (all secular from what I can tell.)
Around One Cactus
This wonderful book is natural science – in this case, about desert animals – with a flair. A boy walks up to an impressive saguaro cactus and wonders who could be living on this arid ground? As night falls, he walks away. And then the place comes alive! A haven for creatures in a waterless land. The entertaining, repetitive rhyme is an attention-grabbing read-aloud that culminates in successful learning. Field Notes at the end of the book describe the animals in detail and include an unusual fact.
Around One Log: Chipmunks, Spiders, and Creepy Insiders
Years after a great oak tree tumbled to the ground, a whole community of animals made it their home. Roly-polies and daddy longlegs prowled here and there, while chipmunks and salamanders dashed everywhere. Question: Is the old tree alive? Or is it now dead? This lighthearted book offers a marvelous insight into a unique and easily-accessible community of forest animals. Jennifer DiRubbio’s vivid close-up illustrations bring these fascinating creatures to life. Parents and teachers: the author offers over a dozen “activities, projects, and lots of cool ideas” ranging from suggestions for an animal diary, readers theatre, finger play, and much more that will help make learning fun.
City Beats: A Hip-Hoppy Pigeon Poem
Pigeons are a great introduction to urban nature. This book does a remarkable thing: it brings to our attention the fact that taken-for-granted pigeons, or rock doves, are beautiful birds. It also helps us to appreciate the vibrant beat of a city–from the eye-view of a pigeon. The text is bouncy. Kids will want to make all the screech, hiss, ker-chunk, pound, and tweet city sounds. Amazing polymer clay illustrations pop right off the page and through die-cut windows. Each illustration was crafted entirely from polymer clay and then photographed.
Forest Bright, Forest Night
Someone is always awake in the forest–and someone else is always asleep! Some animals are alert in daytime and sleep at night. Others are alert at night, and are sleepyheads during the day. Plus be sure to count the animals.You FLIP THIS BOOK from day to night and back–a nice hands-on way to show the same view day and night. Teachers: this book is a very pleasant way to combine science and literature.
Forever Forest: Kids Save a Tropical Treasure
The 54,000-acre Childrens Eternal Rainforest in Costa Rica began as an idea, a few kids, and a bake sale. Word spread and children from over 44 countries raised the funds to make it happen in 1987. Here is its story with a fresh twist, as young Peter discovers that his mother was one of those original kids. What a terrific way to learn both about cooperation and a magnificent habitat! Kristin Joy Pratt has done it again with a style that kids–and environmental educators – love.
In the Trees, Honey Bees
Here is the ideal introduction for preschoolers and early elementary children to insects that are not only amazing but also critically important to humans. Inside-the-hive views of a wild colony of honey bees offer close-ups of the queen, the cells, even bee eggs. Simple verse will engage a young child, while sidebars with fascinating information satisfy the somewhat older child. Parents, teachers, and interested children will enjoy much more information about both wild and domestic hives in the back of the book. The detailed art shimmers with life, highlighting each hair or grain of pollen on the bees. A wild hive in a tree in her own backyard served as a model for the artist!
In One Tidepool: Crabs, Snails and Salty Tails
Go on one of Tony’s “field trips between covers” to a special, brilliant habitat—a tidepool. A whole community of creatures lives there! Humor, a fun rhyme, good science, and brilliant illustrations come together in a clear, easily understood package.
Jo MacDonald Had a Garden
Old MacDonald had a … garden? Yes! Sing along with young Jo MacDonald as she grows healthy food for people and wild creatures. E-I-E-I-O! Find out how butterflies, bumblebees, and birds help a garden to thrive – and how you can help them too. And keep an eye on one mysterious plant. What will it become? Youngsters learn about garden ecosystems and stewardship through this playful adaptation of Old MacDonald Had a Farm.
Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods
Old MacDonald had a . . . woods? Yes! Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures in the woods at her grandfather’s farm. Noisy ones, quiet ones, and a few surprises. This delightful variation on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” playfully introduces youngsters to the woodland habitat while engaging little ones with rhythm and wordplay.
Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond
Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures at the farm pond. You’ll find fish, frogs, ducks and a few surprises. This delightful riff on Old MacDonald Had a Farm playfully introduces youngsters to the concept of ecosystems. Quattlebaum engages little ones with rhythm, repetition, wordplay, and onomatopoeia, while Bryant charms them with lively watercolors of a pond community. A resource section in the back features both outdoor and indoor activities and games sure to encourage young naturalists at home and school. Jo MacDonald s pond discoveries closely resemble those that Mary discovered, too, when she grew up in the country with fields, gardens and ponds.
Molly’s Organic Farm
Whoosh . . . the wind blows open a creaky gate. Inquisitive and mischievous, a homeless little cat scampers through—and suddenly finds herself in the wondrous world of an organic farm! Affectionately named “Molly” by the farmers who discover her, she romps, naps, and hunts among the vegetables. Seen through Molly’s eyes, the reader discovers the interplay of nature that grows wholesome food. But what will happen to Molly when winter comes? Based on a true story, Molly will touch children’s hearts while introducing them to plants and the key elements of growing food organically. Standards-based science concepts and activities at the end of the book expand the message of the story.
Mouse and the Meadow
A young mouse quickly comes of age as he sets out to explore his meadow. There he meets many remarkable creatures. Spider has tangled intentions. Firefly really knows how to put on a show. Mother rabbit is kind. Turtle is wise. Others would have him for lunch! Fortunately, help arrives just in time. Science and story blend seamlessly in this entertaining coming of age tale.
Nature’s Patchwork Quilt
Just imagine all of nature— mountains, prairies, oceans, and all—lying on your bed as a patchwork quilt! Take flora and fauna in their unique habitats, fold them up and you have a book, this book. Earth’s major habitats are spread before you, ready to be examined. Here in this beautiful package are revealed the key concepts of natural science. This patchwork quilt of nature covers the whole Earth, your home—yours to learn about, to enjoy, to care for, and to love.
The great rivers of North America are teeming with life and on the pages of Over in a River—from blue herons in the Hudson to salmon in the Columbia, and from dragonflies in the Rio Grande to mallards in the St. Lawrence. Children will “slither” like water snakes and “slide” like otters while singing to the tune of “Over in a Meadow.” And they’ll count baby animals in watersheds all over North America! What a delightful way to learn about riparian habitats and geography at the same time!
Most of the animals in Australia are unique—they live ONLY in Australia. From kangaroos to koalas, they are a fascinating bunch. Once again, Marianne Berkes makes learning fun. Kids will hop, slurp, and munch as they imitate and count the animals.
Teachers and parents, here is another favorite from Marianne, who has a special talent. The kids think it’s entertainment while teachers and parents think it’s a great lesson about the Arctic! This book combines singing, counting, and full-body action with terrific cut-paper illustrations that kids will want to imitate. Over in the Arctic, the snow goose “honks” and the wolf “howls.”
Follow the tracks of ten woodland animals but . . . uh-oh . . . watch out for the skunk! Children learn the ways of forest animals to the rhythm of “Over in the Meadow” as they leap like a squirrel, dunk like a raccoon, and pounce like a fox. They will also count the babies and search for ten hidden forest animals.
Teachers and parents, here is the easiest, most entertaining way ever to teach about this important habitat. Marianne’s special talent is entertaining kids while the adults think it’s a lesson about the rainforest.
Teachers and parents, take note—this book is already a classic. Two geniuses—the author’s and the illustrator’s—came into perfect alignment to create this book. Marianne’s genius has kids thinking it’s entertainment while adults think it’s a great lesson about the ocean. Jeanette’s genius is, well, obvious.
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Carrie is the owner & operator of Homeschool Giveaways. She has been homeschooling for over a decade and has successfully graduated her first homeschooler. She has two girls and works side by side at home with her awesome husband. She has been saved by grace, fails daily, but continues to strive toward the prize of the high calling of being a daughter of the Most High God.
