Shoebox Habitats

Materials

Shoeboxes

Instructions

1. Explain to children the meaning of the word "habitat""the place where plants and animals live
naturally.
2. Invite them to choose a habitat to make, either as a small group project or individually, depending
on how many shoeboxes you have.
3. Encourage children to first decorate box with crayons, then use glue to add shells, rocks, and
other items. Ask them what creatures live in this habitat and why they choose to live there"
what's their food source? What grows there? What's the climate?
4. Poke several holes on the top of the box so children can hang string to dangle various objects
down into their habitats.
5. Give the children soft clay or beeswax and suggest that they make the creatures that live in the
habitats.
More to do
Field trip: Go for a walk and look at the habitats of insects, birds, and other animals.
Science: Make an enclosed terrarium with real plants and soil. Set out simple picture books about
animals and their habitats for children to look at.