Reception animals and their habitats lesson
This Reception animals and their habitats lesson is part of Block 1 in our Reception science scheme of work, designed to build early scientific understanding through hands-on exploration and discussion. Children explore where animals live and why, linking to real habitats and developing early disciplinary knowledge.
In this Reception science lesson, pupils explore different materials to discover which make the best homes for animals like foxes and worms. They measure temperature, test tools for digging, and investigate which materials let light through. It includes:
- Engaging teacher-led activity with soil, sand, and mulch
- Simple experiments using thermometers and torches
- Play-based provision for comparing habitats and light levels
- Discussion prompts and assessment questions to check understanding
This lesson supports the EYFS goal of exploring the natural world and aligns with Development Matters for age 4–5. Download it as part of our full Reception animals and their habitats resources.
Explore our full primary science scheme of work or see all Reception science Block 1 resources.
