Extreme conformation: Physical traits
Learn how an animal's physical features help them do important things, and explore how healthy body shapes and features help animals live well. Best for ages 3 and up.
Last edited: 29/09/2026
Before you get started
Activity toolkit
Items you may need:
- Activity sheet for your age range
- Pen or pencil
- Scissors
- An adult to help you check your answers using the answer sheet
Activity sheets
Physical traits [3-7 year olds]
Physical traits [7-11 year olds]
Instructions
What makes a healthy pet?
The job of body parts
Animals have amazing bodies, and every part has a purpose. The shape of an animal's body can help them to move, eat, explore, communicate and stay safe. Sometimes, very extreme body shapes or features can make these things harder.
Using your activity sheet, match each body part to its purpose.
Healthy or problematic? (7+)
Using your activity sheet (7-11), look at the animals and their physical features.
Sort the pictures into two groups: features that can help an animal live normally, and features that may make it harder for an animal to live comfortably or behave normally. Then use the clue cards to check your answers and learn more about what healthy physical features allow animals to do.
celebrate your achievement
Together, We’re Making an Impact
Upload your work and we’ll add +1 to our impact counter - showing how many of you are making a collective difference.