Outdoors

Activity Details

Time needed: 30–60 minutes

Materials needed:

• Objects found around your house such as cardboard, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, disposable eating utensils, construction paper, newspaper, fabric, etc.  Art supplies
• Access to information about animal habitats from books, the internet, or an animal habitat expert  

Setup: 

Imagine meeting a monkey or kicking up dust with a kangaroo. These animals live in the wild, so we don’t get to spend time with them in their natural homes—their habitats. You will research baby-animal habitats, learn about their unique challenges, and create a model animal habitat.  

Activity:

In this activity, you will find out how different animal parents care for their babies and make “homes” for them. You could read about how an emperor penguin holds a chick under a special flap in chilly Arctic temperatures or how an orangutan mother builds a new nest for herself and her baby every day. 

First, choose a baby animal that you want to learn more about. Your favorite stuffed animal or toy could serve as the “baby” to live in this habitat.  

Then, do some research about the animal. You can read books, go online, or ask an animal expert about the baby animal and the best habitat for keeping the animal safe. 

And finally, use everyday objects and art supplies to create your version of an animal habitat. How does your habitat help the baby animal survive? 

For More FUN: ask a Girl Scout sister or a friend to join you in the fun and build her own baby-animal habitat. Over video, share your habitats and talk about how your habitats are different and the same. 

Troop Leaders:  The instructions for all badge steps are available free of charge in your  Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit.

Girl Scouts at Home activities have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming and optimized for use at home during a period of social distancing.

Adapted from Step 3 of the Junior Animal Habitats badge. Purchase the Junior It’s Your Story Badge Activity Set to complete all the requirements and earn the badge.