Free Hibernation Unit Study

This free hibernation unit study will help your kids learn about what happens during hibernation, which animals do it, and how they protect themselves as they sleep.

As fall continues, many animals began the process of hibernation. During the summer, they eat to gain weight.

During the early fall, they make nests or build dens. Then as temperatures get colder, they settle in for a long winter’s nap.

Free Hibernation Unit Study

What is Hibernation?

Read the facts about hibernation and then ask the kids to answer the following questions:

• What happens to an animal when it hibernates? (Answer: Their heart rate and breathing slow down and their body temperature drops.)
• What do some animals do to prepare for hibernation? (Answer: They eat to gain weight and make nests.)
• Do all animals that hibernate sleep for the entire winter? (Answer: No. Some do, but others wake up for a short time.)
• What is the longest time period for hibernation? (Answer: 11 months. Dormice hibernate for 11 months!)

Which Animals Hibernate for the Winter?

Despite popular opinion, mammals are not the only animals that hibernate: some reptiles and insects do too!

Look at the following resource and then ask your kids to write down 10 animals that hibernate for the winter.

Answers include:

• Hedgehog
• Horseshoe bat
• Brown bear
• Polar bear
• Chinese alligator
• Grass snake
• Marsh frog
• Hornet
• Purple emperor butterfly
• Garden snail

How Does Bear Hibernation Work?

Bears hibernate longer than many other animals. Have your children research how bear hibernation works differently than other animals and then see if they can answer the following questions. 

• What is one reason why bears hibernate?
• How do bears know it’s time to go to sleep?
• Where do bears sleep during hibernation?
• How much does a bear’s heart rate decline during hibernation?
• How long do bears hibernate?
• Why do bears sleep lightly during hibernation?

Books about Hibernation

Learn about hibernation and hibernating animals with these great fiction and non-fiction books for kids!

A Bed For The Winter, Level...Shop on AmazonHibernation (Patterns in Na...Shop on AmazonBear Snores On (The Bear Bo...Shop on AmazonHibernation StationShop on AmazonAnimals in WinterShop on AmazonOver and Under the SnowShop on AmazonHibernation (First Step Non...Shop on AmazonTime to Sleep (An Owlet Boo...Shop on AmazonSleep, Bear! (National Geog...Shop on AmazonWinter Sleep: A Hibernation...Shop on AmazonHibernation (Scholastic Rea...Shop on AmazonSleep, Big Bear, Sleep!Shop on AmazonDon't Wake Up the Bear!Shop on AmazonThe Snowy NapShop on AmazonAll About Animals in Winter...Shop on AmazonHow and Why Animals Prepare...Shop on AmazonAnimals Hibernating: How An...Shop on Amazon

For even more unit studies, check out our other unit studies here.