Earthworm Facts for Kids

Earthworms are pretty amazing creatures. To celebrate all things earthworm I’ve put together a list of fun earthworm facts and earthworm activities for kids!

Earthworm facts

• There are over 3000 different kinds of earthworms
• Annelids – the phylum of which Earthworms are part, are good swimmers.
• Some in Australia can grow to over 3 meters long!
• The scientific name for the common earthworm is Lumbricus terrestris.
• Earthworms have no eyes or ears but are very sensitive to vibrations.
• Worms are often eaten by hedgehogs, birds, frogs and toads.
• There are about 3 million worms per acre of grassland. That’s a lot of worms.
• Fossils are rare due to their soft body.
• They tunnel underground by eating the soil.
• Worms are invertebrates. They don’t have a backbone or internal skeleton.
• Earthworms feed on leaves and the remains of dead plants. With our wormery, we saw the leaves broken down and dragged into the soil.

How do earthworms move?

If you look at an earthworm, you can see its body is made up of many segments. Underneath the segments are muscles that contract and relax, allowing the worm to move.

How do earthworms breathe?

Earthworms absorb oxygen through pores in their skin, which is why they come to the surface when it rains. They also need to breathe if their burrow becomes waterlogged.

Why do we need worms?

Worms are essential for the well-being of plants. Their tunnels allow water to reach the roots, and the process of the worm-eating soil releases nutrients needed by the plants. Worms are also a source of food for other animals.

Did you know worms were such amazing creatures? For a light-hearted look at the life of a worm, we love the book, Diary of a Worm.

Earthworm Activities for Kids

We all learned a lot from making our own wormery.

If you don’t fancy making your own wormery, Interplay has a great wormery kit.

For young children, make a SUPERWORM themed sensory tray.

Finally, try this fun counting worms activity from Fantastic Fun and Learning.

Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Emma Vanstone