Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Nature · The activity desk
Mammal family pictures
Compare pictures of adult and young mammals.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper, large child-appropriate crayons, and pictures of an adult and young dog or cat.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Look at the two pictures together.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child and explain that mammals produce milk for their young.
Let's make it happen
- Notice the adult and young animal. Compare their sizes, ears, and fur.
- Draw both animals and add a place where they might rest.
- Talk about how mammals produce milk to feed their young. Notice that mammal families can look different.
Make it simpler: Point to one feature, such as the ears, in each picture.
Clean up: Put away the paper and crayons.
Ask a caregiver before approaching any animal; use pictures when unsure.