Year 1 Reptiles Activities

Discover the Fascinating World of Reptiles with Five Creative Activities

Introduce young learners to the amazing world of reptiles with this engaging Year 1 resource featuring five hands-on activities that combine science learning with art and design to explore these cold-blooded creatures.

Five Complete Activities Included:

1. Reptiles Poster: Create an informative poster showcasing different reptiles! Children learn about snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles while developing research skills and understanding what makes reptiles unique from other animal groups
2. Label The Reptile: Explore reptile anatomy by labelling body parts on diagrams! Learn about scales, tails, legs (or lack of them!), and other features that help reptiles survive in their habitats
3. Reptile Diets: Investigate what different reptiles eat! Discover that some are carnivores, some are herbivores, and some are omnivores, understanding how diet relates to habitat and physical features like teeth and jaws
4. Scales Printing: Get creative with art! Use printing techniques to create reptile scale patterns, exploring texture, pattern, and colour while learning about how scales protect reptiles and help them move
5. Sculpt And Paint A Snake: Bring reptiles to life through sculpture! Children use clay or playdough to create and paint their own snakes, developing fine motor skills while reinforcing understanding of reptile characteristics

Why Teachers Choose This Resource:

• Curriculum-Aligned: Fully supports Year 1 Science objectives for animals including humans in the National Curriculum
• Cross-Curricular Excellence: Seamlessly combines Science, Art & Design, and Design & Technology objectives
• Hands-On Learning: Practical art and craft activities that make learning about reptiles engaging and memorable
• Ready to Use: Complete lesson plans with learning objectives, templates, and step-by-step instructions
• Age-Appropriate: Activities specifically designed for 5-6 year olds with achievable, engaging tasks
• Develops Key Skills: Builds scientific knowledge, artistic techniques, and fine motor skills
• Accessible Materials: Uses simple art supplies and everyday materials

Perfect For:

• Year 1 Science lessons on animals including humans
• Key Stage 1 animal classification teaching
• Homeschool science and art curriculum
• Cross-curricular animal-themed topic work
• Building understanding of animal groups and characteristics
• Developing observational and creative skills

Learning Outcomes:

Through these activities, children will identify and name a variety of common reptiles, describe and compare the structure of reptiles, understand what reptiles eat and how they are suited to their diet, recognize the key characteristics that make an animal a reptile (scales, cold-blooded, most lay eggs), and develop scientific vocabulary related to reptiles and animal classification.

What Makes This Resource Special:

Reptiles fascinate young children with their scales, unique movements, and diverse forms—from slithering snakes to armoured turtles. These activities harness that natural curiosity, combining scientific learning with creative expression. By making posters, printing scales, and sculpting snakes, children don't just learn about reptiles—they experience their characteristics through art and hands-on creation.

Building Scientific Understanding:

Understanding animal groups is fundamental to biology. By focusing on reptiles' distinctive features—scales, cold-blooded nature, egg-laying—children develop classification skills and learn to observe carefully, compare characteristics, and understand what makes different animal groups unique. These foundational concepts support all future biology learning.

Bring reptiles to life in your Year 1 classroom! These engaging activities help young children discover the fascinating world of reptiles through creative, hands-on approaches that combine science learning with art and design—building knowledge, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the natural world.