Animal Kingdom: Vocabulary and Communication Skills Building Games for Kids with free downloadable and printable PDF Worksheets
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom – Overview
This game is meant to build communications skills (describing, comparing, and contrasting) for kids. It is also a great vocabulary builder.
Preparation
Print off a board and set of game cards. You can download them below.
Paste the four game board sections onto poster board. The section with the start square should be in the bottom left and the section with the finish square should be in the bottom right. The two top sections should align with bottom sections. You will need dice and something to serve as player counters.
Game Rules
Roll to see who goes first. (High roll goes first and then go clockwise).
On a player’s turn, the player rolls the dice and moves his piece the appropriate number of squares. The player will land on one of six kinds of boxes: pictures, describe, compare, contrast, riddles, or instructions.
(1) If a player lands on a picture square, the player must name an animal (or for advanced players two or three animals) that has the anatomy pictured in the square. So for example, if a player lands in the GILLS square, the player would have to say, “Fish have gills.” If the player cannot do so, the player goes back. The picture squares are as follows: antlers, claws, fangs, stripes, spots, beaks, feathers, gills, fins, scales, fur, tails, horns, tentacles, shells, hooves, paws, and wings.
(2) If a player lands on a describe square, the player picks a describe card and then describe the animal on the card. Beginner players should say two things, but more advanced players can say three to five things. For example, if an advanced player picks the describe card FISH, the player could say, “Fish have scales. Fish have fins. Fish have gills. Fish live in water. Fish can swim.” If the player is unable to do so, the player must move back.
Roll to see who goes first. (High roll goes first and then go clockwise).
On a player’s turn, the player rolls the dice and moves his piece the appropriate number of squares. The player will land on one of six kinds of boxes: pictures, describe, compare, contrast, riddles, or instructions.
(1) If a player lands on a picture square, the player must name an animal (or for advanced players two or three animals) that has the anatomy pictured in the square. So for example, if a player lands in the GILLS square, the player would have to say, “Fish have gills.” If the player cannot do so, the player goes back. The picture squares are as follows: antlers, claws, fangs, stripes, spots, beaks, feathers, gills, fins, scales, fur, tails, horns, tentacles, shells, hooves, paws, and wings.
(2) If a player lands on a describe square, the player picks a describe card and then describe the animal on the card. Beginner players should say two things, but more advanced players can say three to five things. For example, if an advanced player picks the describe card FISH, the player could say, “Fish have scales. Fish have fins. Fish have gills. Fish live in water. Fish can swim.” If the player is unable to do so, the player must move back.
Explore and download a variety of activities designed to help you learn and practice vocabulary associated with the animal kingdom:
- Animal Body Parts: Welcome to the fascinating world of animals! In this game, kids will explore the different body parts of various animals. From the sleek fins of a dolphin to the furry tails of a squirrel, children will learn about the unique features that help animals thrive in their environments.
- Animal Description Game: Let’s embark on an exciting journey of discovery with the Animal Description Game! Children will sharpen their observational skills as they listen to clues and guess which animal is being described. From the majestic roar of a lion to the graceful glide of a swan, get ready to explore the diverse world of animals through vivid descriptions.
- Animal Features Odd One Out – Compare and Contrast: Get ready for a fun challenge with the Animal Features Odd One Out – Compare and Contrast game! Kids will engage in critical thinking as they compare and contrast the features of different animals. By identifying the odd one out, children will not only learn about animal characteristics but also enhance their analytical skills.
- Animal Features Odd One Out: Join us for an adventure of discovery with the Animal Features Odd One Out game! Children will have a blast as they identify the odd feature among a group of animals. From spotting the animal with a unique pattern to finding the one with an extraordinary trait, get ready to test your observational skills in this exciting game.
- Animal Parts Odd One Out: Let’s dive into the world of animals and explore their fascinating anatomy with the Animal Parts Odd One Out game! Kids will sharpen their attention to detail as they identify the odd animal part among a group of creatures. From claws to scales, horns to feathers, there’s so much to discover in this engaging and educational game.
- Animal Quiz Questions: Are you ready to put your animal knowledge to the test? Join us for an exciting round of Animal Quiz Questions! Children will have a blast answering trivia about their favorite creatures, from their habitats to their behaviors. Get ready for a fun and educational experience filled with fascinating facts about the animal kingdom.
- Name Those Animals: Get ready to meet some new furry, feathered, and scaly friends in Name Those Animals! In this game, kids will exercise their memory and recall skills as they match animal names to their corresponding pictures. From lions to penguins, elephants to dolphins, there’s a whole zoo of animals waiting to be discovered in this exciting adventure!
Animal Kingdom
You may also like these free resources about animals
