10 Types Of Vertebrates And 10 Types Of Invertebrates Free Summer Printable

You are invited to download the summer picture cards for sorting with ten types of vertebrates and ten types of invertebrates – learning printables for preschool and kindergarten children. Use this resource with photographs to create hands-on summer activities for your students. This resource will come in handy if you are planning to explore animals in your Montessori and early childhood classroom.

vertebrates and invertebrates printables

About Summer Animals

There are many different types of animals found during the summer season. Some of these are vertebrates, which have backbones, while others are invertebrates, which do not.

Vertebrates are a diverse group of animals that can be found in different habitats, including land, water, and air. Some common vertebrates that may be seen during the summer include:

Birds: Birds are known for their beautiful colors and distinctive songs. During the summer, many species of birds migrate to areas with warm weather, such as beaches and forests. Some popular birds that can be seen during the summer include gulls, sandpipers, blue jays, and robins.
Reptiles: Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that are known for their scales or shells. Some common reptiles that can be found during the summer include snakes, turtles, and lizards. Many reptiles spend much of their time in the sun to regulate their body temperature.
Amphibians: Amphibians are animals that often live in both water and land environments. Some popular amphibians that can be seen during the summer include frogs and toads. These animals breed during the summer, and many of them can be heard making their distinctive calls at night.

Invertebrates are animals that do not have backbones. There are many different types of invertebrates that can be found during the summer, including:

Insects: Insects are the most diverse group of invertebrates and can be found in nearly every habitat on Earth. Some common insects that can be seen during the summer include grasshoppers, butterflies, bees, and ants.
Spiders: Spiders are arachnids that have eight legs and are known for their ability to spin webs. During the summer, many species of spiders can be seen creating intricate webs in trees and bushes.
Crustaceans: Crustaceans are animals that have a hard exoskeleton and are usually found in aquatic habitats. Some common crustaceans that can be seen during the summer include crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.

Overall, the summer season is a great time to explore and observe the diverse range of animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates, that can be found in various habitats.

Summer Animals Hands-on Activities for Children

Sorting Vertebrates and Invertebrates: Create a collection of animal pictures and ask the child to sort them into two categories, vertebrates and invertebrates. Download our sorting printable below.
Animal Habitat Match-Up: Provide pictures of different animals and their habitats. Ask the child to match the animal to its correct habitat.
Animal Tracks Hunt: Create animal track cards and hide them around the backyard or park. Kids can use a magnifying glass to search and identify the animal tracks.
Butterfly Life Cycle: Teach children about the butterfly life cycle using pictures and hands-on activities such as making a butterfly life cycle craft using pasta or creating a butterfly garden.
Worm Composting: Set up a worm composting bin and teach children about the important role that worms play in composting.
Egg Hatching: Hatch chicken eggs in an incubator and teach children about animal reproduction and life cycles.
Pond Life Exploration: Take kids to a local pond or lake and provide nets and jars for them to explore and observe the different types of insects, tadpoles, and fish living in the water.
Bird Watching: Teach children about bird identification and encourage them to go on a bird watching walk around the neighborhood or local park.
Bug Hunt: Take kids on a bug hunt and teach them about the different types of insects and their distinguishing features.
Reptile and Amphibian Study: Set up a reptile and amphibian study area with books, pictures, and toy models for kids to learn about different species and their characteristics.
Marine Life Exploration: Visit a local beach or aquarium to learn about marine life and the different types of fish and creatures that live in the ocean.
Build an Insect Hotel: Create a small habitat for insects and teach children about the important role insects play in our ecosystem.
Fossil Dig: Create a simulated fossil dig by burying toy dinosaur skeletons or shells in sand or dirt and let children excavate and discover the fossils.
Animal Adaptation Study: Study how different animals have adapted to their environments in order to survive. You can use books, videos, and hands-on activities like creating animal habitats to demonstrate these adaptations.
Build a Birdhouse: Teach children about bird nesting habits and help them build a birdhouse to provide a safe home for birds.
Insect Anatomy Study: Teach children about insect anatomy and the different parts of an insect using toy models or pictures.
Animal Tracks Matching Game: Create a matching game with animal track cards and animal pictures for children to identify and match the correct tracks.
Animal Riddles: Create animal riddles for children to solve and learn about different animal characteristics and behaviors.
Create a Nature Journal: Encourage children to observe and record their findings in a nature journal, including drawings, descriptions, and observations of animals and plants they encounter throughout the summer.

Animal sorting printable

Print on card stock and laminate for longer use. After cutting cards, draw with marker or stick dot stickers to the back of each set – one color for each set. Place the label cards in a row. Explain the difference between the two types of animals. Invite the child to sort cards into two categories.

After the child completed the task, invite him or her to flip the cards and self-check. Each card has to be under the correct category based on the dot color.

Young children can be encouraged to match the animal cards when printed twice and draw the animals they like the most using their choice of art medium.

Older children might be inspired to research and create their own books about vertebrates and invertebrates that dwell in your region.

When exploring vertebrates and invertebrates with your children you might like to give some of these hands-on activities a go:

Make a skeleton using playdough to point out the difference between the two types of animal groups.
Gather a bug catcher, net, and a magnifying glass next time you go outdoors and invite the children to explore insects they find in the grass and catch.
Gather Safari TOOB figurines and invite the children to sort animals into two groups – vertebrates and invertebrates
Explore the most common vertebrates and invertebrates found in your area – make a poster with your students.
Discuss in a small group all the different ways children can protect animals in their natural habitat.

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