Explore our nocturnal animals resources for EYFS and KS1, with activities and teaching resources to help children learn about animals that are active at night. Use the collection when exploring nocturnal animals, habitats, light and dark or as part of a wider animals topic.
Find nocturnal animal fact files, teaching slides, a word mat, sorting activities, owl size ordering, display resources, colouring activities and more. Children can identify familiar nocturnal animals, explore when they are active and begin to compare nocturnal and diurnal animals.
Nocturnal animals are animals that are mainly active during the night. Learning about them gives children opportunities to explore different animals and their behaviours, consider how animals are suited to different ways of life and compare animals they might see during the day with those that are more active at night.
Nocturnal animals are most active at night and usually rest during the day. When introducing the idea, encourage children to think about animals they already know and discuss whether they are more likely to be active during the daytime or at night. This helps build useful vocabulary including nocturnal and diurnal.
Use photographs, facts and discussion to introduce different nocturnal animals before asking children to compare, describe and sort them. Nocturnal animals also provide a useful starting point for talking about habitats, animal behaviour and the differences between day and night.
Our nocturnal animals resources include:
Choose resources to support whole-class teaching, continuous provision, independent activities or a wider topic on animals and their habitats.
