Biology is a wonderful branch of science to explore with kids! This animal observation activity makes an excellent introduction to biology for kids.
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Harry the Dirty Dog is this week’s Virtual Book Club for Kids pick! It was a fun one to read with the kids, because Mike LOVED it as a kid.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know we just got a puppy. She loves to get dirty and into all sorts of mischief.
Animal Observation Activity for Kids
What You'll Find on This Page
I decided it would be fun to do a simple animal observation activity with the kids. I made this printable animal observation sheet.
This printable from Woodland Park Zoo offers a more sophisticated version of this exercise for older children, if you would like to go into more detail. I love that this is a great pet science activity, but also something you can do at the zoo or with local wildlife.
My Kids’ Animal Behavior Logs
I am often surprised by which kids love which activity. I would have predicted that 10-year-old Johnny and 8-year-old Lily would enjoy this one; instead 11-year-old Emma and 5-year-old Anna enjoyed it while Johnny and Lily opted out.
Emma and Anna both chose to observe our dog, Cali. Emma wrote up a rather humorous observation sheet, playing up my husband Mike’s habit of thinking our puppy is a baby bear. Actually, he cut all her hair off on Saturday, and now she looks decidedly less bear like and more dog like…
Anna drew adorable pictures of Cali, since she isn’t really writing yet.
Note that in the “interactions with others” section Anna drew the puppy gate between herself and Cali. She definitely prefers that level of separation from the dog, much of the time. My friend made her a stuffed cat (Anna wanted a cat instead of a dog but that was impossible with Mike’s allergies). That helped. She is the family star when it comes to making sure Cali has plenty to eat and toys to play with, so she loves the dog in her own way.
More Pet Themed Learning Activities for Kids
- Harry the Dirty Dog Printable Counting Activity
- Pet Store Shopping Game
- Dog Washing Edible Sensory Activity
- Tiny Felt Animals to Sew
- Harry the Dirty Dog Alliteration Jumping Game
- Harry the Dirty Dog Thaumatrope
- Cat Sewing Project
- Pets for Kids: Fish
Do you have favorite pet themed learning activity for us? We’d especially love to hear about more dog activities! Please share in the comments below, or post a link on my Facebook page! You can also tag me on instagram.
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
This is a great idea! I LOVE it!
I love Anna’s illustrated version (my husband has allergies too, thankfully none of my kids super wanted a cat, but it has been brought up from time to time).
I love the illustrated version! :)
Anna’s drawings always make me smile.