Learning for Kids

Plants & Animals

What is more amazing than a talking dog? A spelling bee! Now that you got a good laugh find out more about interesting plants and animals!

If you were looking for the NetSmartz® programs sponsored by National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and the Boys and Girls Club of America® click-here: netsmartzkids.org

Plants & Animals NetSites for Information & Knowledge

Agriculture and Math Fun - Fun agriculture and math site with quizzes, games, and links to other sites.

Agriculture in the Classroom Kid's Corner - Learn about the role and importance of agriculture in the economy and society.

Ask the Answer Worm - S.K.Worm, the official annelid, or worm, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service answers students questions about soil and stuff.

California Desert - Explore the wild world of the California desert. Take a look at the area's nature, people, and weather, or find out what to do there. There are also lots of great photos of different desert features.

Children's Butterfly Site - Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the World's most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations. Learn more here.

Children's Health Protection - Learn of some things you can do to protect health from hazards in the environment.

Coast Guard Mascots - The Coast Guard follow have a custom of adopting a member of the animal kingdom as a ship's mascot. Here are a few of the animals that served, many with distinction and not a few in combat, with the nation's oldest sea service.

Darby Duck and the Aquatic Crusaders - Become an Aquatic Crusader and join Darby Duck in the fight against water pollution! Understanding the characteristics of water, that precious resource we are trying to protect. And understanding how it interacts with other elements in the environment, some of which pollute it and cause problems for people and animals.

Endangered Species Picture Book - Download an entire coloring book free at this Environmental Protection Agency site, or just print out pictures of your favorite threatened animals. Find out who's who and who's endangered. Color a bald eagle or a big-eared bat.

Energy Kid's Page - Learn along with Energy Ant about different types of energy. This site is from the Energy Information Administration.

EPA - Kids' Stuff - This EPA – Office of Water’s web page has links to games and activities that will help you learn about drinking water.

EPA Global Warming Kids Site - This site explains what global warming is, the greenhouse effect, and the changes in climate and weather.

Explorers' Club - The Environmental Protection Agency’s website allows you to explore your environment and learn about the many things you can do to protect it.

FDA Kids' Page - Learn about animal care, food safety, vaccines and much more about the Food and Drug Administration.

Florida - Kids miamidade.gov - Learn about Miami Dade County, get homework help, learn about nature and the sea, play fun games and more.

FSA Kids - This site, from the Farm Service Agency, has fun games to teach you more about farming, crops and ranches.

How Clean is This Water? - Park rangers can tell how clean rivers and ponds are by studying the creatures that live in the water. They count macro invertebrates - animals with no backbones - that are large enough to see without a microscope or other tool. Learn which animals can tolerate water pollution and which animals can't.

California Waste Reduction and Recycling Kids Page - This is a great page from California.

Kids' Castle - This Smithsonian site has information to kids’ questions on sports, history, the arts, travel, science and air and space, all with great photos.

Kids' Science Page - National Agricultural Library - Hey kids! Do you like to eat? What's your nutrition IQ? Do you really enjoy animals? Insects too? Do you like veterinary medicine? Is engineering what you want to do? Interested in plants or ecology? Does chemistry excite you? Learn more about food and agricultural sciences.

Master Bug Theater - There is a whole world of life in rivers and lakes. Some of the tiny animals living in the water are benthic, meaning they live in the bottom of the water body. Some are Macroinvertebrates because they are large and easy to see (macro) and because they have no backbone (invertebrate). Learn important facts about Macro invertebrates.

NASA for Kids Only - This NASA kids site brings the world into your playroom. Listen to an earthquake's rumble. Look into the eye of a hurricane. Find out why the wind blows. Visit storms up close. Play games. The kids' quizzes here feature sound effects. Flashy images and well- written text make complicated science kid-friendly. Guarantee: If a child spends at hour at this site, she'll learn a few things most adults don't know.

National Marine Sanctuary Program - Here you'll find information about our nation's marine sanctuaries -- their history and current management, their scientific and educational programs, and their continuing efforts to conserve our nation's ocean and coastal treasures.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - This Arctic Theme Page provides access to widely distributed Arctic data and information for scientists, students, teachers, academia, managers, decision makers and the general public.

National Weather Service Kids Page - The National Weather Service's kids' page serves up age-appropriate fun for all kids. Download an informative tornado- safety coloring book for your preschooler. While she's coloring, your older children can click on the Severe Storms Lab Weather Room where lightning flashes across the screen while they choose from a mean-weather menu. Tornadoes? Hurricanes? Lightning? Learn how to read a weather map or read about the scientists who chase storms. Kids who want more substance can click into a litany of links.

National Zoo - Visit the online exhibits, or take a tour and learn about the plants, animals and people of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

Nature Net - Learn about wildlife, plants, geologic resources in our parks, and more.

Nature Watch - This USDA Forest Service site offers a unique view into wildlife, fish and wildflowers or take a visit through a national forest.

NIEHS Kids' Page - Learn how the environment affects your health. Get ideas for science projects, tackle some brain teasers, and more.

North American Mammals - The website, from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, provides information for over 400 mammal species and includes high-quality range maps, photographs, scientific illustrations, family tree diagrams, weights and measures, and more.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Students' Corner - Nuclear energy is a way to generate heat using the fission process of atoms. A nuclear power plant converts the heat into electricity. Learn more about nuclear reactors, radiation, terms, and more.

Park Net - Take a tour through the National Park System, explore historical place and learn about natural resources in our parks.

Recycle City - There's lots to do here - people and places to visit and plenty of ways to explore how the city's residents recycle, reduce, and reuse waste.

Roofus' Solar and Efficient Neighborhood - Find out how Roofus' Solar Home is energy smart and what makes it run.

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge Kids Site - Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 540 refuges scattered throughout the United States. This refuge was established in 1930 as a refuge and breeding ground for birds. Learn more about this refuge and different varieties of animals.

Sci4Kids - Science is everywhere you look. Learn what scientists do at the Agricultural Research Service. You may be a student today but may already be on your way to a career in science or farming or computers.

Splash - Desdemona's Splash! This is a game about water quality and the environment and is a wonderful way to interactively teach both kids and adults how to reduce runoff pollution to protect our water resources.

The Globe Program - Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. Students and teachers from over 10,000 schools in more than 95 countries are working with research scientists to learn more about our planet.

The Learning Room - This site contains links to pages specific to certain species. Want to know the life cycle of the boreal toad? Or why leaves change colors? Or all about dirt? Check out these links to find out everything you wanted to know about each of the subjects.

The National 4-H Net - 4-H is the youth education branch of the Cooperative Extension Service, a program of the United States Department of Agriculture. Each state and each county has access to a County Extension office for both youth and adult programs. 4-H is fun with friends. 4-H is learning and doing cool things. 4-H is meetings, camp, workshops, social activities, trips, and fairs. 4-H is leadership opportunities and helping others. 4-H is responsibility and hard work and success.

The NOAA Photo Library - NOAA collection includes thousands of weather and space images, hundreds of images of our shores and coastal seas, and thousands of marine species images ranging from the great whales to the most minute plankton.

The Weather Room - This page provides general information for kids, parents, and teachers. Elementary school coloring books are available for parents and teachers to print and use for weather education in the classroom or at home.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Especially for Kids! - Learn about endangered species, national wildlife refuges, migratory birds, fisheries resources , the value of wetlands, and how kids, like you, can help.

USGS - Learning Net - Explore things on, in, around, and about the Earth such as plants and animals, land, water, and maps. Learn how biology, geology, hydrology, and geography can help us understand our changing world.

Vortex: Unraveling the Mystery - This site contains information and pictures of how tornadoes develop and real data collected by tornado chasers.

Water Science for Schools - This site offers information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.

Who Am I? - National Parks, National Seashores and National Preserves are safe places for animals to live. Because of that, you can find many different kinds of animals, some that had almost become extinct. Learn fun facts about different animals.

Woodsy Owl - Woodsy Owl is a whimsical fellow and he's got his heart set on motivating kids to form healthy, lasting relationships with nature. Woodsy encourages youngsters to marvel at and explore the natural world, even in the city. His new motto, "Lend a Hand - Care for the Land." encourages everyone to make a positive difference in the world.

Year of the Ocean - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides information on marine life, threatened and endangered species, facts about the world’s oceans fish, and protecting coral reefs.

Yellowstone National Park Just for Kids - Test your knowledge about Yellowstone National Park. Learn about different animals, plan a visit and learn about the history of the park.

Organization Sites

5 Tigers - The Tiger Information Center - Tigers are an endangered species and they live in Asia. There are five different tiger subspecies: the Amur (Siberian) tiger, the Bengal tiger, the Indochinese tiger, the South China tiger and the Sumatran tiger. Three tiger subspecies have gone extinct in the past 100 years. Learn all about these tigers!

Animaland - This site from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has great information on caring for you pet, humane education, games and cartoons and much more.

Careers in Veterinary Medicine - The American Veterinary Medical Association has created a site that has everything you need to know about becoming a Veterinary Specialist.

Cloud Forest Alive - If Africa's not your thing, how about checking out the cloud forests in Central America? Weekly lessons and a variety of webcams make you feel like you're actually there!

Fantastic Forest - Look and listen as you take a virtual nature walk and discover what's in this forest from National Geographic! You'll need to have Shockwave to view the site.

Humane Teen - HumaneTeen shows you how young people make a difference for animals and their world. This site is maintained by the youth education division of The Humane Society of the United States.

Jason Project: A Living Laboratory - JASON XIV: From Shore to Sea will engage students and teachers in an exciting journey to explore the unique Channel Islands region of California. The waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the densely populated California coastline, and will serve as our "laboratory" for studying nature's dynamic systems during the 2002-2003 school year.

Kid Territory - San Diego Zoo - Learn about the animals at the San Diego Zoo; you can also learn some fun recipes, crafts and science experiments.

Kind News - Kind News is a newspaper for kids grades K - 6th. It features articles, puzzles and celebrity interviews that teaches you the value of showing kindness, and respect to animals, the environment and one another

Little MAB - Learn about Biosphere Reserves with Loustic the Lynx.

Oregon Zoo's KidsZone - Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi. The zoo's 64 acres are home to animals from all corners of the world, including Asian elephants, Peruvian penguins and Arctic polar bears. Learn some animal facts, go behind the scenes at the zoo and play some fun activities.

PowerSmart - Tips to Save Money and the Planet - Find out ways to help your parents save money and help our planet by making your home more energy-efficient.

Sea World Animal Information Database - Do you need quick information or fun facts about a terrestrial or aquatic animal? Want answers to the most commonly asked questions about animal life? Find these answers and much more right here.

Sled Dogs: An Alaskan Epic - Mush! It's a dog's life and PBS' Nature wants to show you what it's like. Find out what it takes to pull those sleds across frozen terrain and read the story of Balto, a very brave Husky. You can even try your hand at some virtual dogsledding.

Wonders of the Sea - The Oceanic Research Group "Wonders of the Seas" page highlights different animals with text and images, from sponges to sharks

Education Sites

Animal Diversity Net - Animal Diversity Net is an online encyclopedia. ADW is a large searchable encyclopedia of the natural history of animals. Every day, thousands of students use it to answer animal questions. Other sites specialize in local, endangered, or particular kinds of animals.

Animal Doc - Ever think about being a veterinarian? Find out what vet students are learning about dogs, horses, sheep, cattle, llamas, and more.

Exploring the Secret Life of Trees - Exploring the Secret Life of Trees is designed to students gain an appreciation of trees, observe trees in their everyday lives, and develop an interest in discovering more about trees.

Katerpillars and Myster Bugs - Can you figure out the mystery bug on this fun site from the University of Kentucky? Investigate insects and their relatives, try the tasty bug food, and have lots of bug fun!

Let's Talk About Insects - Let's Talk About Insects is designed to help students gain an appreciation of insects; learn how insects grow and develop (metamorphosis), and learn the importance of insects in our environment.

My First Garden - This is a guide to the world of fun and clever gardening. This website is for students to learn about the beauty of gardens, and the care involved in planning, nurturing and enjoying the benefits of gardening in a variety of spaces and places.

The Adventures of Herman - This is the autobiography of Squirmin' Herman the Worm. Learn about the history and anatomy of worms and even find out what's in the Worm Deli.

The Great Plant Escape - This site is designed to introduce students to plant science and increase their understanding of how foods grow.

Commercial Sites

Be A Habitat Hero! - This National Geographic's site allows you to expand your mind as you come to the rescue of our habitats. While you're getting up close and personal with earth’s six habitats, you can also get the scoop on protected lands, biodiversity, urban sprawl, conservation and population.

DiscoveryKids.com - has put together a whole site about adventure and the adventures we think you should try. Ever wanted to climb a climbing wall? Ride a camel? Learn to take your own pictures? Well, here is the place to learn how.

Junior Master Gardener - Kids Zone - This website is great for discovering the important and fun part of gardening; it ignites a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education.

Smokey the Bear - Smokey Kids - Join Smokey for some forest and campfire fun. And, along the way, discover Smokey's rules for forest fire safety and prevention so that you can become a member of Smokey's team!

Whale Camp - The Whale Camp's mission is to provide fun and adventuresome learning experiences in the Bay of Fundy that enhance your appreciation and knowledge of our natural world. They use the tools of scientific inquiry to learn about the geology of the region, the marine life in the bay, the land based life of Grand Manan and to explore the human issues involved in the sustainable use of these resources.