Animal Camouflage 2
Fun Hands-On Science Activities with Kids
Experiment on Camouflage: Which Color Helps Animals Survive Best?
Main Idea
Learn how animals can blend in with their environments to stay safe and invisible. Please start with the first lesson on learning camouflage.
Activity Prep
Download & print the PDF below
Construction paper (red, green, brown, tan, white, black) **If you don’t have construction paper, you can download the color pieces as a PDF file below
Scissors (*Please help with scissors as needed.)
Timer (on the phone)
Small container
Writing tools (pencils, colored pencils, markers, etc)
What is animal camouflage?
Camouflage is a way that animals or plants hide by blending in with their surroundings. This helps them stay safe by making it harder for others to see them or figure out who they are.
Observation and Discussion
Before starting the experiment, Let’s make a plan. First, choose the location for your experiment. Next, talk about what you think will happen based on your observations (hypothesis).
How to Use
Step 1: Choose the location for your experiment (Example, on the lawn, sand, gravel, mulch, dirt, etc)
Step 2: Cut construction paper into the same size pieces (red, green, brown, tan, white, and black). Make 10 pieces for each color.
If you don’t have construction paper, you can download and print the colored pieces and cut them out. I recommend folding them in half so that both sides are the same color.
Step 3: Spread the color pieces around the location.
Step 4: Set a timer for 1 minute.
Step 5: Start the timer. The child should quickly collect the color pieces and put them in the container.
Step 6: Count how many pieces of each colors were collected and write down the numbers.
Step 7: Discuss the result.
How did your result come out? Imagine you were a bird, and these color pieces were little bugs. They could be easily spotted and eaten if they didn't blend into the environment!
