Free Printable Animal Habitat Worksheets

Teaching kids about animal habitats is a great way to spark their curiosity about the natural world. From the icy landscapes where polar bears roam to the lush greenery of rainforest habitats, each environment is home to a variety of animals perfectly adapted to their surroundings.

These free animal habitats worksheets are a fun and interactive way for kids to explore where different animals live, helping them understand concepts like animal adaptations, food chains, and animal homes in a hands-on way.

Perfect for 1st grade science, 2nd grade, and even 3rd grade learners, this science activity is ideal for lesson plans, independent work, or group work in science centers. These free educational materials can be used as part of a larger general science unit, or as a quick enrichment activity to reinforce learning about different environments and living organisms.

How to Use These Animal Habitat Worksheets

These animal habitat worksheets come in a PDF file with sorting mats for seven different habitats and a collection of animal pictures to cut out and place in their correct natural environments.

How to Print and Play

Download the PDF file – Scroll down to find the download link and save the file to your computer.
Print the sorting mats and animal pictures – For best results, print them in color so kids can easily recognize the animals and their natural environments.
Cut out the animal pictures – Carefully cut along the lines to separate each animal. This is a great fine motor skills activity for younger kids!
Sort the animals onto the correct habitat mat – Encourage kids to think about animal adaptations and where each creature would live.
Check answers and discuss – Talk about why each animal belongs in its specific habitat and how they survive in their different environments.

For extra durability, print them on cardstock or laminate the pieces for repeated use. These sorting mats work well in science centers or for independent work to encourage critical thinking. They can also be used in fun educational games, incorporated into lesson plans, or even as part of summer learning activities. Pairing them with a close readingactivity on animal adaptations or forest habitats is a fun way to extend learning.

These free animal habitat worksheets are also a great way for busy teachers to add an easy-to-prep science worksheetto their general science lessons. Whether you’re working with first graders, second graders, or third graders, this activity is a versatile and engaging way to explore animal homes and the food chain!

The Following Habitats Included

Each animal habitat worksheet focuses on a specific natural environment, helping kids understand where different animals live and why. From aquatic habitats to forest habitats, each mat provides a fun way to explore animal homes. Below are the following habitats included in this set!

Ocean Animals – Aquatic Habitats

The ocean is home to sea creatures like dolphins, fish, sharks, and whales. In aquatic habitats, animals have unique adaptations like fins for swimming, gills for breathing, and blubber for warmth. This mat features an ocean scene, perfect for sorting a variety of animals that live in the water.

Rainforest Animals

Rainforests are some of the most diverse natural environments, filled with different animals like monkeys, parrots, jaguars, and tree frogs. These creatures rely on the dense vegetation for food and shelter, and many have special adaptations like strong climbing abilities or bright colors for camouflage.

Woodland Animals – Forest Habitats

Forests provide shelter for many different animals, including deer, foxes, owls, and bears. Some of these creatures hibernate in the winter, while others rely on the changing seasons for food. This mat is perfect for learning about animal homes and the role forests play in the food chain.

Polar Animals

The Arctic and Antarctic regions are different environments with extreme cold, where polar bears, penguins, arctic foxes, and seals have adapted to the freezing temperatures. Their thick fur, layers of fat, and ability to hunt in icy waters make them well-suited for life in these harsh natural environments.

Desert Animals

Deserts may seem empty at first, but they’re actually home to a variety of animals that have evolved to survive the extreme heat and lack of water. Creatures like camels, lizards, snakes, and scorpions use special adaptations like water storage, burrowing, and nocturnal activity to thrive.

Wetland Animals

Wetlands are rich natural environments where different animals like frogs, alligators, herons, and beavers live. These ecosystems are important for maintaining biodiversity and are home to creatures that rely on both land and water to survive.

Grassland Animals

Grasslands are home to different animals such as bison, zebras, lions, and prairie dogs. These open spaces provide plenty of food but little shelter, so many animals in grassland habitats rely on speed, herding behaviors, and burrows to stay safe.

Animal Cutouts for Each Habitat

These animal pictures are designed to be cut out and sorted onto the correct animal habitat worksheet. Each set features a variety of animals that belong to a specific natural environment, helping kids learn about animal homes, food chains, and animal adaptations in a fun and interactive way. Black and white versions are also included for extra coloring practice!