Activity Overview
Girl Scouts sort animals into groups by their habitats.
- Talk about how animals belong to different groups based on their habitats.
- Separate Girl Scouts into smaller groups and ask them to sort animals into groups by their habitat.
- Allow Girl Scouts to discuss their sorting choices in the larger group and design a habitat scene together!
Leader Guidance
Preparation: Before the start of the activity, print Animal Habitat Matching Game, or gather color pictures of animals to share with the group. Write different habitats (such as forest, ocean, desert, and rainforest) at the tops of separate posterboards or large pieces of paper (one habitat each). Lay the posters on a table or the floor so the group can see all the options.
Say:
- An animal habitat is a place where an animal lives.
- Some animals, such as bears and goats, live in the mountains, while others, such as frogs and chimpanzees, live in the rainforest.
- Animals need food, water, and shelter to survive in their habitats. Some animals eat plants for food, while others hunt and eat other animals. And just as we need a roof over our heads to stay safe and warm, animals need a place to live that protects them from danger and bad weather.
- Animals also have amazing features and abilities that help them survive in their habitats. Can you think of some examples? (Wait for answers. If needed, provide examples. Let Girl Scouts know that some animals have colors that help them blend into their surroundings and hide from predators, while others have long legs to help them run fast or sharp claws to help them climb trees. Some animals even have special organs that let them breathe underwater.)
- Let’s play an animal-habitat matching game and sort animals into their correct habitats.
Using the Animal Habitat Matching Game handout or pictures you’ve gathered in advance, give each Girl Scout an image of an animal and ask them to think about where that animal lives. Have them place it in the habitat they think is correct and explain their reasoning. (Make sure you check the answers!) Ask them questions like, “Why can this animal survive in this habitat?” or “What do you notice about the animal that could help it live there?”
Next, break Girl Scouts into small teams and assign each team to one habitat. Provide each team with a large piece of poster board, images of animals, markers, scissors, and glue. Ask them to create a detailed habitat scene on the poster board. Encourage them to draw plants or other habitat features around the animals.
Say:
- Who wants to share their habitat scene with the group? (Encourage but do not require Girl Scouts to share.) What differences did you notice between the habitats?
- Biodiversity is the variety of living things in one place. Why do you think biodiversity is important in each habitat?
Multi-level Tips
This activity is suitable for all Girl Scout levels. Girl Scouts can do the activity together or split into groups to create a habitat scene. Older Girl Scouts can also help younger ones, if needed.
