5 Fun Animal Adaptation Activities for Your Science Block

I have 5 fun animal adaptation activities for your science block!

Animal adaptations are always a fun unit.

Behavioral and physical adaptations are not only interesting, but they involve animals and plants, so students love learning about them!

Isn’t it funny how as soon as you throw an animal into the mix it makes something more interesting?

It always makes teaching easier when students come to the table excited about a particular subject and WANT to learn more about it.

If you are looking for more activities to incorporate into your animal adaptation lessons, then keep on reading!

Keep reading to learn all about these adaptation activities.

Don’t forget to grab your FREE Reason for the Seasons craft below 🙂

Adaptation Activities

Idea #1: Best “Beaks”

This hands-on activity is a great way to make physical adaptations “click” for students by acting as an animal!

For this, grab a few “beaks.”

When I see “beaks,” I mean things like:

• Tongs
• Plastic spoon
• Scoop
• Shovel
• Tweezers

I really like this sensory bin tool set (Amazon Affiliate link), but if you just walk around your house or classroom then you are bound to find various items that will work great for this activity.

Students will use each of the various “beaks” to try and pick up different types of food.

The different types of food could be cereal, marshmallows, birdseed, etc.

Students will realize quickly that the shape of the tool affects what type of food that each beak is able to eat.

Idea #2: Color-by-number worksheets

These animal adaptation color-by-number worksheets are SUPER ENGAGING!

Let me tell you how they work!

Kids first answer questions.

Each question’s answer choice dictates a color next to it (like green, red, blue, etc.).

Students will color the coded picture based on the answer that they choose.

SO FUN, right?!

This color-by-number set includes reading comprehension passages as well!

Here is a list of what the color-by-number worksheet set includes:

• 1 adaptation worksheet reading a passage and answering questions on population and adaptations
• 1 adaptation worksheet reading a passage and answering questions on physical adaptations
• 1 adaptation worksheet matching vocabulary words to definitions (physical adaptation, migration, behavioral adaptation, hibernation, mimicry, and camouflage)
• 1 adaptation worksheet identifying the type of adaptation described (mimicry, hibernation, camouflage, or migration)
• 1 adaptation worksheet identifying what type of adaptation is described (behavioral or physical)
• 1 adaptation worksheet identifying which animal uses the described adaptation
• 1 adaptation worksheet matching the bird beak type to the adaptation described
• 1 adaptation worksheet matching the bird foot type to the adaptation described

Click HERE to grab these animal adaptations color-by-number worksheets!

Idea #3: Build an animal

For this activity, students will build their own animal complete with specific adaptations that allow the animal to survive!

Students can use adaptations from various animals, or they can completely make their own.

Have students draw their make-believe animal, and write down the adaptations on a diagram.

Then, share with the class each of their animal creations!

Idea #4: Go digital with your animal adaptation activities!

I have an Adaptations for Google Classroom digital bundle that your students are going to have a blast completing!

Digital learning allows for interactive and immersive experiences that can bring even the most complex concepts to life.

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of education, embracing digital learning is key to providing engaging and effective instruction for our students.

This bundle includes activities and reading passages on behavioral adaptations, physical adaptations, learned behavior, and instinct.

It has drag-&-drop activities, short answers, and web searches that students will seriously love completing!

Plus, Adaptations for Google Classroom streamlines YOUR workflow by providing ready-to-use materials (hello, no prep!).

This saves you valuable time, allowing you to focus on what matters most: teaching and supporting your students’ growth.

The resource has received rave reviews from teachers just like you – I know that you and your students will LOVE it!

Click HERE to grab Animal Adaptations for Google Classroom!

Idea #5: Animal research

Students will pick what animal they want to research.

It’s always nice allowing students to choose their own animal because it gets them more excited to learn about the specific animal if they chose it.

Students can use the Internet or books to research their animals.

After researching, students will draw the animal and create diagrams to point out each adaptation.

They will explain how the adaptation of their animal helps them survive.

Hang their diagrams on the wall, or students can present to the class about their chosen animal and the animals’ adaptation(s)!

Need more ADAPTATIONS activities and resources?

I have many animal adaptation resources available at Glitter in Third on TPT.

Click the links below to check them out:

• Adaptations Color-By-Number Worksheets
• Adaptations for Google Classroom
• Adaptations Interactive Notebook

Want a FREE rotation & revolution activity?

I have a FUN craft to help your students understand the Earth’s revolution.

The best part?

It’s FREE!

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You can also read more about rotation and revolution activities in my blog post HERE.