Reptiles Theme for Preschoolers
Learn about reptiles in a fun and engaging way with a reptiles theme. Keep reading for ideas of hands-on activities and books to read.
Why Teach Preschoolers About Reptiles
Create Curiosity and Wonder
Learning about new and creepy cool creatures can inspire preschoolers to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Introduce Animal Classification
Preschoolers are familiar with mammals and fish but aren’t always acquainted with reptiles. Teaching preschoolers about what makes animals the same (and different) is an excellent introduction to how animals are classified.
Even something as simple as fur vs no fur, lays eggs or not, etc., is something little ones catch on to quickly.
Helps to Overcome Fear
Many people are fearful of reptiles. They aren’t cuddly or cute in many people’s eyes.
Learning more about reptiles from a young age is a way to help alleviate fear in a controlled environment.
Foster Environmental Awareness
Many reptiles are endangered due to habitat loss or pollution. Raising awareness with preschoolers can encourage them to make changes to help animals and their environment.
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
Reptiles versus Amphibians
If your preschooler is anything like mine, the question of WHY will surely come up. Here is a simplified way of classifying reptiles or amphibians.
Reptiles
Here are some common attributes of reptiles.
*dry skin or scales
*eggs have hard shells
*most live on land, but a few can live in the water
*examples: turtles, snakes, lizards
Amphibians
* wet, smooth, slimy skin
*They live on both land and water. They start their lives in their eggs in the water, and as they grow up, they move to living on land.
*lay eggs in the water (and the eggs don’t have shells)
*examples: frogs, toads, salamanders
Reptile Books
There are many great books about reptiles. We have a list of books all about Tortoise and Turtle Books for Preschoolers to help begin your reptiles theme book list.
Reptiles Theme Activities
Reptile Letter Crafts
We have a few letter crafts that fit a reptiles theme.
*Letter A Craft: Alligator Activity
*Letter D Craft: Dinosaur Activity (Most dinosaurs are considered reptiles, right?)
*Letter I Craft: Iguana Activity
*Letter S Craft: Snake Activity
Clay Snakes
Enjoy making snakes from air-dried clay. They are easy to make and perfect for a reptiles theme table with other reptile items.
Reptile Freeze Dance
Call out a reptile and have your little one move like that reptile (e.g., slither like a snake) as the music plays. Once the music stops, little ones freeze and wait for you to call another reptile.
Rock Turtle Craft
Create a fun rock turtle craft. This is another craft that your little one can add to a reptiles theme table.
Noodle Snake Craft
Work on fine motor skills and pattern-making with noodle snakes!
Reptile Egg Hatching
Pack baking soda (and a few drops of water) into a plastic egg. Remove the plastic egg. Use a dropper and food-dye-colored vinegar to put drops of vinegar onto the baking soda egg to help it “hatch.”
Reptile Scavenger Hunt
Hide plastic reptiles (or pictures of reptiles) around the house or outside.
Try adding small garage sale stickers (or a small piece of tape) to the bottom of the toy. Write numbers, letters, or shapes on the stickers. Once the reptiles are collected, little ones can sort them based on what is written on the sticker.
Reptile Matching
Create a matching game by printing two pictures of each reptile. Arrange them face up (to start) on the floor, and let your little one pair up the alligator, turtles, snakes, komodo dragons, etc.
Once they get the idea, flip them over so the little ones can’t see the pictures.
Cardboard Box Turtle
Repurpose an old cardboard box by making it into a turtle shell! If the box isn’t mostly blank, you can wrap it in wrapping paper (flipped inside out so the pictures aren’t showing), butcher paper, or construction paper.
Let little ones decorate their turtle shells. Then, attach it to their backs using yarn.
Reptiles Theme Sensory Bin
Add rocks, brown rice, or green lentils to a sensory bin. Include plastic reptiles, some larger stones, and maybe some large popsicles (or sticks) that little ones can pretend are logs or fallen trees.
Reptiles Unit for Preschoolers
Hands-on learning and exploration will help preschoolers learn about reptiles theme in a way that works best for their developing brains. Plus, it keeps them busy and stops them from taking all the toys out of the toy box (again). 😉
