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Preschool Games About Nocturnal Animals

The meaning of nocturnal animals is a fun term to teach children at the preschool-age level. Children are often interested in learning about different animals. There are several activities that can introduce children to nighttime or nocturnal animals. The tactivities depend on the animals or the materials available to the children. In addition, these activities can be done at home or in a classroom setting.

Make a Bat Cave
- Bats are nocturnal mammals.
  
  Make a bat cave for your child at home or with students in a classroom setting. Talk about the bat and how it is a nocturnal animal. Get a large piece of brown paper and chairs. Cut the paper and make a entrance to the cave. Color the brown paper to look like a cave, with rocks and pictures of bats hanging from the bag. Use chairs and tape to hang up the brown paper. Let the preschooler climb through the bat cave.
Hedgehog Craft
- Hedgehogs curl up into a ball for protection.
  
  Create a nocturnal hedgehog using either molding clay or craft dough. Before beginning, explain the term nocturnal and talk about the hedgehog and its habitat. The child or children can form a round clay body for the hedgehog. Cut flat toothpicks or find sticks with flat edges. Place the sticks into the clay body to form the prickles on the hedgehog. The hedgehog has prickles everywhere except the face, legs and belly. Stick on two small black beads to create the hedgehog's eyes.
Owl Craft
- Owls are found in different habitats.
  
  Have your child or children create an owl craft using a brown paper lunch bag. Talk about different of owls. Let them choose which owl to create, such as a barn owl or snow owl. Do not open the bag, let it remain closed and flat. Use the bottom of the bag for the owl's head. Use colored construction paper to draw and cut out the eyes, beak, feet and wings. Glue the pieces onto the brown paper bag. If you want, use cupcake liners to create the eyes. Color the remaining parts of the bag as needed.
Online Seek and Find
- Allow your child to play an online nocturnal seek-and-find game. The game prompts a screen of nocturnal animals hidden in the picture. The child is given a one-minute countdown to find all of the animals listed. Once the child clicks on the animal, the animal's color appears and is checked off the list. This game helps children learn which types of animals are nocturnal, while showing them where the animals would be found at night, whether in a tree, bush or on the ground.

Animals & Science