Beavers

Introductory Facts

Beavers are the second-largest rodents in the world, growing 3-4 feet or 1 metre long - about the same age as a preschool-aged child! They have double eyelids and are very short-sighted. The double eyelids function like swimming goggles.

Activity 1

Did you know that beaver tail shapes are a family trait? Print the Beaver Tail Shape Match page in the attachments. Find an object for each shape from your toys or around the house and place it on the correct beaver.

Curriculum areas: M05b, E10b

Activity 2

Watch the 9-minute BBC Earth video "Beaver Lodge Construction Squad". See if you can build a dam to stop water! Use a slippery-dip or driveway gutter to be the river and use sticks and mud to build the dam just like beavers do.

Curriculum areas: M08a, M08b, E02a, E02c

Lunch Snack

Beavers have long orange front teeth which grow throughout their lives and can cut through a branch the size of a finger in a single bite. Make tortilla or flatbread "logs" by choosing brown fillings such as sliced meat or peanut butter and rolling them up, and serve it with a side of carrot sticks.

Curriculum areas: S13a, S13c

Activity 3

Make a paper plate beaver face.

Curriculum areas: M06b

Activity 4 

Make beaver tail pastries for afternoon tea.