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Home » Primary Science » Key Stage 1 Science » Food Chains for Kids

Food Chains for Kids

Modified: Apr 28, 2020 · Published: Jan 14, 2015 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

All living things need food to be able to survive. Food chains are one way to demonstrate how energy is transferred between plants and animals.

Food chains show the way in which energy is passed from the sun to plants which are then eaten by animals, who are then eaten by other animals, until you get to the top of the food chain. All energy comes from the sun, plants use sunlight to make their own food by a process called photosynthesis.

Plants are called producers as they make their own food and are the start of the food chain.

Animals are called consumers as they eat plants and other animals and are further up the food chain.

If one part of a food chain is reduced or changes, the whole food chain is affected. For example if there was a shortage of fish for penguins to eat, penguins would survive less well reducing the food supply for animals further up the food chain.

Marine Food Chain
Marine Food Chain

Example Food Chains

sun – pondweed – tadpole – duck

grass – rabbit -fox

grass – rabbit – owl -snake – fox

grass – cow – human

carrot – rabbit – fox – lion

Fish – penguin – shark

Easy Food Chains for Kids

Build a food chain

Collect small toy animals and create a food chain with arrows.

Selection of toys for an easy food chain activity for kids
Toy animals and arrows - food chains for kids

Stack them up

Choose a food chain and print out images for each part.

Attach each image to a different sized tube. The tubes should fit inside each other with the widest at the bottom.

Fit the tubes together to make a food chain.

Food chain craft - fox food chain - food chains for kids

Make a paper food chain

Make a paper chain food chain!

Paper chain food chain - food chains for kids

We also love these food chain collages!

Food chain questions to ask

What is a herbivore?

A herbivore is an animal that eats plants. In a food chain we call the herbivore the primary consumer. It is the first consumer.

What is a carnivore?

A carnivore is an animal which eats other animals, in a food chain carnivores ( predators ) are known as secondary or tertiary consumers.

What is a predator?

A predator is an animal which kills another animal to eat.

What is a food web?

A food web is similar to a food chain, but shows a more complicated feeding relationship.

More Easy Science for Kids!

Learn about photosynthesis with a cress caterpillar.

Try one of our easy activities for science at home!

Learning Outcomes

Key Stage 1

Understand that all living things need food to be able to survive.

Key Stage 2

Understand the meaning of producers, predators and prey.

Construct and interpret food chains.

Understand that if one part of a food chain is altered it affects the whole chain.

Food Chains for Kids - fun food chain activities for kids #FoodChains #ScienceforKids

Last Updated on April 28, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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