• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Middle School
    • High School
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • DIY Best Student Planner
    • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
    • Free Art Curriculum Grades 1 – 8
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Geronimo Stilton
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Dynamic Subscriber Freebies
      • Exclusive Subscribers Library
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

August 2, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Share This!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

I have a fun animal geography hands-on activity for your younger kids. Also, you’ll love First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography.

One of the first things we intentionally teach our children is the names and sounds of animals.

I have an animal geography activity for you that builds on those basic skills to teach preschoolers through upper elementary students all about animals and where they come from.

Learning where animals are indigenous to throughout the 7 continents is a fun activity that can be covered over a long period of time or just touched on.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

This activity lets your child play while they learn. It is a great way to introduce them to geography, zoology, research skills, biomes, and more all at once.

This will bring up some great discussions.

For example, discuss animals which are found in more than one place, such as elephants and tigers, and what their differences are.

You can talk about animals being indigenous or introduced to different places by early explorers.

What seems like such a simple learning experience can turn into a delightful rabbit trail to enjoy with your child. I have a few facts and a list of some common animals for each continent to get you started.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Animal Geography Books
  • Africa – Animals from the continent of Africa
  • MORE AFRICAN GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES
  • Antarctica – Animals from the continent of Antarctica
  • Asia – Animals from the continent of Asia
  • Australia – Animals from the continent of Australia
  • Europe – Animals from the continent of Europe
  • North America – Animals from the continent of North America
  • South America – Animals from the continent of South America
  • Animal Geography Activity

Animal Geography Books

First, look at some of our favorite books about animals which help to serve as a guide.

7 Animal Geography Resources

We refer to Wildlife Anatomy quite a bit for zoology, it is worth adding to your collection.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Bestselling author/illustrator Julia Rothman shares a delightfully illustrated guide to all the beasts of the wild, from lions, tigers, and bears to musk oxen, monkeys, elephants, giraffes, foxes, badgers, bats, crocodiles, owls, flying squirrels and much, much more.

Waypoint Geographic World ScrunchMap - Up-to-Date & Easy

Wall Maps: These world wall maps feature bright colors for easy identification of places of interest. This map of the world can be easily folded or "scrunched" Into the included storage pouch. Lasts longer than paper maps.

The Big Book of Beasts (The Big Book Series)

In The Big Book of Beasts, Yuval Zommer’s wonderful illustrations bring to whimsical life some of the grizzliest, hairiest, bravest, wiliest, and most fearsome beasts in the animal kingdom. Brimming with interesting facts from beast consultant Barbara Taylor, this charming picture book is a beautiful way for parents to introduce young children to the animal world―and for older children to learn by themselves.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Around the World with Picture Books Part II (Download) - by Read Berg - Beautiful Feet Books

Each country visited features a selection of animals indigenous to those regions. These beautiful drawings will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world. Part Two covers Europe and South America. In Europe we cover France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain! In South America we cover Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Brazil!

Rand McNally Junior Classroom Atlas of the World

Our colorful, engaging atlas is ideal for students in second through fourth grades and was developed from our award-winning Classroom Atlas, just simplified for younger students. Completely redesigned with a new layout,eye-catching pictures, informative graphics, and fully updated map content. Teaches map and globe skills to younger students. Features photos, graphs, interesting facts, and thought-provoking questions that reinforce map concepts.Includes 15 physical, political, and thematic maps.

A Child's Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People--From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China (A Child's Introduction Series)

Explore all the fascinating things that make Planet Earth such an exciting place to live with this lively introduction to our world, its geography, culture, and people.  Get ready for an incredible journey, one in which you’ll visit far-off places, meet interesting people, and learn all about continents, countries, climates, and more. This book is also full of fun facts about animals, sports, foods, inventions, and holidays from all over the world.

Animal Atlas

Lift the flaps in this quirky 3D atlas as illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius takes the youngest of readers around the globe, introducing an enchanting selection of animals. Did you know that flamingos hide their heads while they sleep? That a Galápagos tortoise can live for a hundred years? That baboons have pink bottoms? Or that a peacock’s tail is used to impress potential mates? With interactive flaps and a central pop on each colorful spread, this is a stand-up gift for small children who love animals of all stripes.

Now, look at some of these lists of animals from each continent.

Africa – Animals from the continent of Africa

The world’s second-largest continent, Africa, has a wide range of habitats from tropical rainforest to the desert. 

Here you will find a wide variety of well-known animals, as a matter of fact, Africa is home to the most varied wildlife and the most species in the world.

  1. Lion
  2. Leopard
  3. Elephant
  4. Rhinoceros
  5. Zebra
  6. Hippopotamus
  7. Ostriches
  8. Giraffe
  9. Pangolin
  10. Black Mamba

MORE AFRICAN GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES

  • How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft
Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

Next, look at these animals from Antarctica.

Antarctica – Animals from the continent of Antarctica

Antarctica is a large frozen continent that is located in the far south of the world in the Southern Ocean. Covered by a thick layer of ice, it is nearly uninhabitable except by a few species that make their home here.

  1. Emperor Penguins
  2. Orca
  3. Wandering Albatross
  4. Leopard Seal
  5. Gentoo Penguin
  6. Antarctic Krill
  7. Tardigrade
  8. Blue Whale
  9. Spectacled Porpoise
  10. Southern Elephant Seal

Asia – Animals from the continent of Asia

Asia is the world’s most populated and is the biggest continent in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres.

It is also the place with the world’s longest coastline and the highest and lowest points on the Earth’s surface.

With a mostly dry climate, it does have extreme weather like monsoons. It encompasses China, Korea, Japan, Siberia, India, and parts of the middle east. The habitats here range from deserts, mountains, forests, and tropical jungles to urban areas.

  1. Asian Elephant
  2. Asiatic Lion
  3. Tiger
  4. Giant Panda
  5. Snow Leopard
  6. Proboscis Monkey
  7. Indian Cobra
  8. Malayan Tapir
  9. Indian Peafowl
  10. Orangutan

Australia – Animals from the continent of Australia

Australia is a country and a continent, and it holds the title of the continent with the most diverse marine life and the highest number of fish species.

It is also the world’s smallest of the continents. Australia not only has a lot of endemic animal species – species that can only be found in Australia (4 out of 5 animals) but it is also the home of two monotremes, which are mammals that lay eggs- the echidna and the platypus.

Finally, they have about 140 species of marsupials.

  1. Kangaroo
  2. Tasmanian Devil
  3. Kookaburra
  4. Dingo
  5. Platypus
  6. Koala
  7. Wallaby
  8. Frill Neck Lizard
  9. Sugar Glider
  10. Echidna

Europe – Animals from the continent of Europe

Europe is home to a wide range of habitats like the Taiga Forest, tundra, broadleaf forest, steppe, the Alps, Pyrenees, the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea which means there are a wide diversity of animals. 

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

Many animals in Europe have been brought from other parts of the world, but several species are native to the continent, the first 5 listed below are native.

  1. European Bison
  2. Eurasian Lynx
  3. Polar Bear
  4. Moose
  5. Wolf
  6. Alpine Ibex
  7. Golden Eagle
  8. Old World Swallowtail
  9. Red Squirrel
  10. Wild Boar
  11. Chamois

North America – Animals from the continent of North America

Made up of Mexico, the United States, and Canada this is the third largest continent in the world and is surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Pretty much every ecosystem on Earth can be found here- from snowy tundra to the tropics.

The United States has the most biodiversity in North America, Canada has snowier tundra and animals like the polar bear, while Mexico is made up of lush rainforests to arid deserts.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary
  1. American Bison
  2. Monarch Butterfly
  3. Bobcat
  4. Polar Bear
  5. Bighorn Sheep
  6. Chipmunk
  7. Coyote
  8. North American Porcupine
  9. American Alligator
  10. Kit Fox

South America – Animals from the continent of South America

Finally, exotic South America with some of the world’s most dangerous and some of the most unique.

It has 4 major climatic regions- tropical, temperate, arid, and cold. You will find most animals in South America can be found either in the Amazon Rainforest or in the Andes mountains.

Unfortunately, more than 30% of species on the content are now endangered or nearly extinct.

  1. Llama
  2. Anaconda
  3. Blue Morpho Butterfly
  4. Anteater
  5. Capybara
  6. Giant Otter
  7. Harpy Eagle
  8. Jaguar
  9. Red-Eyed Tree Frog
  10. Sloth

Moreover, look at some of these other fun animal and geography activities.

  • First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography.
  • Animals and Their Continents Worksheet Set
  • 18+ Fun and Interactive Ways to Learn Geography With Kids
  • Montessori Inspired Continent Activities for Preschoolers

Finally, look at this fun interactive way to learn about geography and animals.

Animal Geography Activity

You can do as much or as little of this activity to get your child started as you like.

The younger child will obviously need more help while a more advanced child can do everything from cutting out the maps of each continent to tracing and labeling.

You will need:

  • Roll of paper
  • Printed outlines of the 7 continents
  • Masking tape
  • Permanent marker
  • Plastic animals
Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

You could also print pictures of various animals and use them to be sure you have enough for each continent instead of using small plastic animals, or better yet a combination of both.

First, find a basic outline for the seven continents on Google or trace them out of your favorite Atlas.

Next, roll out a large piece of paper from a roll. It can be the solid back of wrapping paper, bulletin board paper, or the brown kraft paper used for shipping. Tape it to the floor or table using masking tape or painter’s tape.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

Then cut out the seven continent outlines you printed and arrange them on the rolled-out paper using an atlas or a master printout as a guide.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

Use a marker to trace around each of the continents.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

 Remove your templates and write the name of each continent in the center.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

Give your child some books for reference, atlases and of course zoology books, and a basket of a good variety of animals from around the world.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

Help them find where each animal belongs. If you have the space, you can add to it each day or week as you learn about each continent and its wonderful animals.

For an older child it would be a great assignment for them to find “x” number of animals for each continent.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: animals, contients, crafts, geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, life science

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy