The Badge Archive

Games – Animal Track Match

Activity Description: Scouts match animal tracks to the correct animals and learn how each animal moves and lives.

Info Needed:  Animal are all unique. They have different bodies and features that help them live where they are. There is thick fur for colder environments, or fins and gills for underwater creatures. They make unique sounds, and each leave a unique print where they move, called an animal track.

Items Needed:

  • Printouts of animal track cards and matching animal pictures
  • (Optional) laminator (for durability if being reused)
  • Scissors
  • A large playing surface (table, mat, or floor space)
  • (Optional) tape or adhesive (for mounting cards if using the Scavenger Hunt variant)

Before the Game:

  • Prepare the cards (5–7 min)
    • Print animal track cards and matching animal pictures.
    • Keep answer keys uncut.
    • Cut out each track and animal picture separately.
    • (Optional) laminate cards for reuse.
    • Shuffle cards before the meeting.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 10–20 min):

  1. Set up the game area (2–3 min)
    • Lay out track cards and animal picture cards separately on a table, mat, or floor.
  2. Match the cards (5–10 min)
    • Scouts choose a track card and try to match it with the correct animal picture.
    • If the match is correct, celebrate.
    • If the match is incorrect, encourage them to look for clues and try again.
    • Continue until all cards are matched.
  3. Recap and reflect (3–5 min)
    • Talk about what each animal’s tracks look like.
    • Share fun facts about the animals.

Variations

  • Scavenger Hunt: Hide the animal track cards and animal picture cards around a designated area (classroom, playground, etc.). Make sure the hiding spots are accessible and safe for kindergarteners. Use tape to secure some to walls or other vertical surfaces.
  • Keep Score: If you’d like to add a bit of friendly competition, you can keep score of correct matches or divide the kids into teams.

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Tia Kennard