Animal Patterns Colour and Sort Activity

Animal Patterns – Colour and Sort is a creative EYFS and KS1 resource linking animals with pattern, shape, colouring and sorting.

Pages 1–6 feature land, sea and air animals, including a lion, giraffe, hippo, octopus, whale, parrot and hummingbird.
Each page uses two different patterns or background designs, so every sheet can be used as a stand-alone sorting activity.
Children can sort by animal type, pattern, shape, colour or background design, encouraging observation, comparison and early maths language.

Page 7 shows a worked example with coloured animals sorted into a set. This set is a collection of cards where all the backgrounds are different.

Children can explore other ways to sort, such as land, sea and air animals or backgrounds with stars, circles or triangles.

Page 8 is a blank template for children to draw their own animals and patterns into, or to use as a sorting and pasting sheet.
The resource also supports fine motor skills through colouring, following patterns, cutting and scissor practice.