Animals Early Years Ideas
Children love learning about animals. Animals are a really useful hook to get younger ones interested in some discussion work and small world play.
Animal Games and Activities
Do your kids love animals? Then have a look at our animal games and activities! We've got all sorts of printable games, animal-themed activity ideas and party games to explore too.
Bunny Dice Addition
Here's a fun way to practise addition of two numbers up to 12, using 2 normal dice and our game board with colouring pencils or counters. You can try this as a single player game against the clock, or as a multi player game.
Bunny Game Cards
Use these printable bunny game cards to play all sorts of games - here are some suggestions.
Butterfly Colour Matching File Folder Game
Pretty butterflies in so many lovely spring and summer colours make this butterfly colour matching game a joy to make and play! Children will need to study the butterflies carefully to match them to the correct flower, as some are very similar.
Butterfly Memory Game
This is a very challenging version of the traditional Memory game, as the cards are all one colour and the designs are similar. Play in small groups or solo.
Cat Catching Mice
This traditional Chinese chase game can cause much screeching and excitement! Play outdoors - or indoors, if you have a large room. It is also known simply as "Cat and Mouse".
Cat Dominoes
Cat lovers will love this cute version of dominoes featuring adorable cartoon cats! Print onto some card (laminate or stick onto craft foam if you prefer), then play in the same way as usual dominoes by matching the pictures.
Cat Game Cards
Here are some purrrfect game cards for cat lovers! Print off two sets of our cat game cards to play snap or memory, or four sets to play Happy Families...
Chase The Rabbit
This easy circle game for children needs no equipment and tires the kids out quickly! You can play it outdoors but only on a dry day and preferably on grass, to save the children's knees!
Create A Creature
Children use their imagination to create animals, monsters or exotic creatures from a selection of fruit and vegetables. This works as a quiet activity as well as an unusual party game.
You might want to provide a few props too. Cocktail umbrellas, mini hats, plastic hair grips etc!
Duck, Duck, Goose
All you need for this game is a circle of children with lots of energy! This is an old favourite.
Farmyard
The more hands-on practice young children have with counting, the easier it becomes to visualize numbers and give meaning to them. This farmyard game makes early learning fun!
Fish Dice Addition
Practising addition is fun with our fishy dice game! Roll two dice, add up the numbers and colour in the fish with the correct answer - you can time yourself against the clock, or play against a friend!
Fish Dominoes
The kids will love playing dominoes with these super fish dominoes cards. Instead of matching dots, match the fish! Fun for all the family and for kids of all ages...
Fish Game Cards
These printable game cards featuring some funny fish can be used for memory games, snap and sorting games - or you can play Go Fish (with some fish)! Just make sure you print out four sets of cards.
Fish Matching Game
Use these printable Fish Matching Game cards to play all sorts of games - see our suggestions below! They are also good for sorting practice and we have provided some simple printable sorting mats below.
Go Fish
Go Fish is a card game of chance and skill for two or more players and one that is deservedly popular with families. Younger children will just enjoy the excitement of it; older kids will begin to learn to try to memorize what cards the other players have.
Hamster Tic-Tac-Toe
Print this cute hamster tic tac toe game for kids to enjoy. Just cut out the board and the pieces and choose whether to play with the seeds or the cheese!
Hopping Chicken
This traditional Chinese game can be played with two players or in two teams, indoors or out. It is similar to Hopscotch. It works well for children aged about 6 or over.
Menagerie
Be prepared for a lot of noise with this card game, which is also known as "Animals" or "zoo". It's great fun - although if you have one or two louder, rowdy players it can disintegrate quickly.
Mouse
Mouse may be familiar already - it is certainly an old favourite from my childhood. It can be enjoyed by any number and age of child and needs nothing but a scrap of paper, a pencil and a die (or you can use our optional printable sheet). Download our printable below if you wish.
Number Chicks
Number Chicks is a dice game which helps children with number recognition and includes a fast and fun variation for older kids. You can play it as a pencil and paper game with our printable sheet, or as a file folder or board game using our printable game board.
Phonics Phase One Animal Sounds Bingo
This bingo set is part of our Phase One Phonics collection, but of course can be enjoyed for any reason! It is a great game to encourage careful listening.
Phonics Phase One Guess the Animal Game
This is a fun game that encourages turn taking and careful listening. We developed it as part of our Phonics Phase One resources, but of course it can be enjoyed for any reason.
Pig
This is a brilliant starter game for children, who enjoy the rhythm (once they get the hang of it) and the silliness of it all. It is one game that even the youngest child doesn't seem to mind losing, which makes it a real winner! And a little secret - even teenagers and adults enjoy it!
Pin The Tail On The Donkey
This classic game has been played in many variations at countless children's parties over the years, and remains a firm favourite. Choose a theme that your particular group of children will love.
Sardines
This Hide and Seek variation is a perennial favourite, but you will need a large house with lots of good hiding places! Younger children may become lonely or distracted, so play with kids over the age of 5 or 6.
Sea Creature Bingo Cards
There are 20 cards in this set of sea creature bingo cards, fun for a class or group summer activity. We've even made it easy on the caller by including a list of all of the sea creatures included.
Sea Creature Dominoes
Here's a fun twist on traditional dominoes. Can the children match the sea creatures instead of the traditional dots? This would be a fun game after a trip to the aquarium or seaside!
Sea Creature Game Cards
These bright and cheerful sea creature game cards are a great way to keep the kids busy on long journeys or rainy days. Perfect for a fun-filled game of snap or memory games.
Snake and Ladders
Here's a simple printable version of the classic children's board game, Snakes and Ladders. We have a pre-coloured version as well as a black and white printable for the kids to colour and decorate themselves.
Whoo Am I Owl Game
Here's a fun card game that will challenge children to use their descriptive powers and to listen carefully!
