Reception Science Block 1: Animals and Their Habitats
Reception Science: Animals and Their Habitats
Our Reception science animals and their habitats unit, part of the Scintillating Science programme, provides practical, clearly sequenced Reception science lesson plans aligned with the EYFS Framework. Each lesson helps pupils build early enquiry skills through observation, questioning, comparing and simple investigations.
These resources include planning, teaching slides, differentiated activity sheets, knowledge organisers and assessment opportunities, making them ideal for teachers looking for a consistent, high-quality approach to science in Reception.
View lesson overview and skills
Reception science lessons in this unit
- Lesson 1: Finding similarities and differences
- Lesson 2: Asking where animals live (being curious and asking questions)
- Lesson 3: Finding the best places for animals to live (performing simple tests and using equipment)
- Lesson 4: Using my senses (using senses to observe and look closely)
- Lesson 5: How living things change (looking closely and noticing changes)
- Lesson 6: Making simple records and talking about observations
Key skills developed throughout
- Talking about what I have done and noticed
- Sorting and matching things
- Making comparisons and spotting patterns
- Using simple scientific vocabulary in context
Reception science animals and their habitats lesson plans and resources
Teach Reception science animals and their habitats with a practical unit that helps pupils explore where animals live and why different environments suit different living things. Part of the Scintillating Science programme and aligned with the EYFS Framework, this unit develops early enquiry skills through observation, sorting, questioning and simple investigations.
It’s ideal for teachers looking for Reception science lesson plans, EYFS animals and their habitats activities, habitats EYFS learning ideas, or child-friendly Reception science worksheets that support exploration and talk.
What’s included?
- Step-by-step planning for every lesson
- Interactive teaching slides for whole-class carpet input
- Child-friendly Reception science activity sheets and recording pages
- Knowledge organisers to support key vocabulary and understanding
- Play-based investigation ideas and optional continuous provision enhancements
- Assessment opportunities to help track pupil progress through observation and discussion
Working scientifically in Reception
- Talk about what they notice and ask questions about animals and habitats
- Sort and match animals based on where they live
- Use senses to observe and describe living things
- Test simple ideas, such as what makes a good shelter or habitat
- Record observations using drawings, simple charts and photographs
Key learning outcomes
- Identify animals and describe where they live
- Use vocabulary such as habitat, shelter, survive, land, water and compare
- Explain what animals need to stay safe and find food
- Sort animals into groups based on habitat features
- Make simple observations and share ideas using full sentences
Why choose our Reception animals and habitats unit?
- Aligned with the EYFS Framework and Understanding the World
- Clear progression across six practical science lessons
- Focuses on talk, vocabulary and early enquiry skills
- Includes child-friendly activity sheets and differentiated tasks
- No year group labels on resources, making them suitable for mixed Reception and KS1 settings
Start your free trial
Free trial available – download everything you need to teach Reception science animals and their habitats. Free trial.
