Animal or plant?: what children learn
Animals and plants are living things. Animals move about and find food; plants grow in one place and need light and water.
Each card shows something living you might find outside. Children sort it into Animal or Plant.
This topic links to an early learning goal in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for England (The Natural World). Children at the expected level of development will: “Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants”. Reception children are usually aged 4–5.
How to play
Sort the cards into the right groups. Tap a card, then its group. You can also drag a card, or press the number on its group. Each game has 3 rounds with no timer. Every card is checked as soon as you place it: a card in the wrong group comes back with a hint, and you get a point for each card you place right first time. For a quicker go, choose Quick quiz: 8 multiple-choice questions in 240 seconds (choose Relaxed for more time).
Step by step
- Play together. Sit with your child and read the words on screen aloud. Let them do the tapping and dragging.
- Look at the picture. Name it together.
- Does it move about?. Animals can move; plants stay in one place.
- Sort it. Drop it in the right group.
Worked examples
Example 1: 🐌 snail
Working: A snail moves slowly and eats leaves.
Answer: Animal
Example 2: 🌳 oak tree
Working: A tree grows in one place.
Answer: Plant
Example 3: 🐞 ladybird
Working: A ladybird crawls and flies.
Answer: Animal
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Thinking only big things are animals Insects, snails and worms are animals too.
- Thinking trees are not plants Trees are big plants.
- Calling a plant an animal because it moves in the wind Plants move in the wind but do not move about by themselves.
Activities to try at home
- Go on a walk and sort what you see into animals and plants.
- Draw an animal and a plant from the garden.
- Grow cress and watch it grow.
Ideas for the classroom
- Make an outdoor tally of animals and plants spotted.
- Sort photos of local wildlife into hoops.
- Ask children to draw and label observations.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Are mushrooms plants?
No. Mushrooms and toadstools are fungi, so they are left out of this game.
Are people animals?
Yes, people are animals too, which can be a fun talking point.
Is there a timer?
Not in the main game: children sort at their own pace. The separate Quick quiz is optional and has a long, gentle timer; skip it with younger or less confident children.