Wooden Wild Animals - 10 Pairs

Wooden Wild Animals - 10 Pairs (20 Figures)

This beautiful wooden animal set includes 10 matching pairs that invite children to explore wild animals, practise language, and work with simple to advanced classification games. The figures are made from smooth, durable wood and painted with child safe colours, perfect for Montessori classrooms and home learning shelves.

Animals Included - 10 Matching Pairs

• Zebra - black and white striped wild equid that lives in Africa.
• Giraffe - the tallest land animal with a long neck, found in African savannas.
• Ostrich - the largest living bird, native to Africa, also farmed on other continents.
• Rhinoceros - grey rhino with a characteristic horn, found in Africa and Asia.
• Elephant - African elephant with large ears, native to Africa.
• Lion - male lion with a mane, native to Africa, with a small wild population in Asia.
• Lioness - female lion, sleek and strong, living in the same regions as the lion.
• Monkey - small brown primate, common in African regions, monkeys also live in Asia and in Central and South America.
• Tiger - striped big cat that is native to Asia, in Africa children usually see tigers only in zoos and wildlife reserves.
• South African Penguin - also called African penguin, native to the coastal waters of Southern Africa.
• Crocodile - large reptile that lives in rivers and coastal areas in Africa, and also in the Americas, Asia, and Australia.

Largest piece: elephant 6 x 5 x 0.8 cm.

Classification Games And Learning Ideas

1. Pair Matching Game - Find The Same (Age 3+)
   Lay out one set of animals on a mat. Offer the second set in a basket. The child takes one figure, names it if possible, and finds the matching partner. This supports visual discrimination, concentration, and early language.

2. Animal Groups Game - Mammals, Birds, Reptile (Age 3.5+)
   Place three labels or coloured mats: Mammals, Birds, Reptile. Children sort:

   • Mammals: zebra, giraffe, rhinoceros, elephant, lion, lioness, monkey, tiger.
   • Birds: ostrich, South African penguin.
   • Reptile: crocodile.

   This game introduces basic zoology in a concrete, hands on way.

3. Diet Game - Carnivores, Herbivores, Omnivores (Age 4+)
   Use three baskets or labels: Carnivores, Herbivores, Omnivores. Sort together:

   • Carnivores: lion, lioness, tiger, crocodile.
   • Herbivores: zebra, giraffe, rhinoceros, elephant.
   • Omnivores: monkey, ostrich, South African penguin.

   Older children can add picture cards or draw what each animal might eat.

4. Continent Game - Where Do They Live (Age 4+)
   Use a world map or Montessori continent map. Sort animals into:

   • Live in the wild in Africa: zebra, giraffe, ostrich, rhinoceros, elephant, lion, lioness, South African penguin, crocodile, monkey.
   • Live in the wild in Asia: tiger, some species of rhinoceros, some monkey species.
   • Also found on other continents: monkeys in Asia and the Americas, crocodiles in the Americas, Asia, and Australia, ostriches and penguins that may be farmed or kept in parks in many countries.

   This game prepares children for more formal continent studies.

5. Big Cats Game - Big Cats And Other Animals (Age 4+)
   Make two groups:

   • Big cats: lion, lioness, tiger.
   • Other animals: zebra, giraffe, ostrich, rhinoceros, elephant, monkey, South African penguin, crocodile.

   Children can talk about how big cats move, hunt, and care for their young, compared with the other animals.

6. Who Does Not Live In The Wild In Africa (Age 4.5+)
   Place all animals on the mat. Ask the child to make two groups:

   • Live in the wild in Africa: zebra, giraffe, ostrich, rhinoceros, elephant, lion, lioness, monkey, South African penguin, crocodile.
   • Do not live in the wild in Africa: tiger - children usually meet tigers only in zoos and wildlife reserves.

   This activity refines knowledge about natural habitats versus animals seen in zoos.

7. Habitat Game - Land Or Water Edge (Age 4.5+)
   Prepare two labels: Land, Coastal or Water Edge. Sort:

   • Land animals: zebra, giraffe, ostrich, rhinoceros, elephant, lion, lioness, monkey, tiger.
   • Coastal or water edge animals: South African penguin, crocodile.

   Children can place the figures on a simple hand drawn landscape with land, river, and sea, and create short stories about how each animal moves and lives.

Why Teachers And Parents Appreciate This Set

• 20 sturdy wooden figures in 10 matching pairs, sized for small hands.
• Supports rich language work, zoology, geography, and early science.
• Ideal for Montessori 3 part cards, continent boxes, and small world play.
• Perfect for ages 3 and up, in classrooms and at home.

Product Details

• Material: Wood
• Pieces: 20 figures - 10 matching pairs
• Age recommendation: 3 - 6 years
• Largest piece: elephant 6 x 5 x 0.8 cm