Biomes
Published on: October 11, 2007
Biomes: Exploring Earth's Living Landscapes
Biomes are large regions of the Earth defined by their climate, geography, and the plants and animals that call them home. Studying biomes gives children a magnificent window into how life adapts to different conditions — from scorching deserts to frozen tundra, from lush rainforests to open grasslands.
What Makes a Biome?
A biome is shaped by three things: location, climate (temperature and rainfall), and landforms (mountains, plains, coastlines). Within each biome are smaller ecosystems — a pond in a forest, a tide pool on the coast — each with its own web of life. What makes a biome unique is, as we like to say, location, location, location.
The Major Biomes
Tropical Rainforest
Warm and wet year-round, rainforests contain more species than any other biome. Children are fascinated by the layered canopy, colorful birds, and towering trees. This is a wonderful biome to pair with the Earth Day and Folk Art lesson.
Desert
Deserts receive fewer than 10 inches of rain per year. Children love learning how cacti store water, how sidewinder snakes move on hot sand, and how desert animals are active at night to escape the heat.
Grassland (Savanna and Prairie)
Vast open spaces with rich soil, grasslands support grazing animals like bison, zebras, and antelope. Grasslands connect beautifully to our Continental Drift lesson — children can explore how the same grassland biome appears on different continents.
Temperate Forest
Four distinct seasons, deciduous trees that change color, and familiar animals like deer and owls make this biome especially relatable for children in North America and Europe.
Taiga (Boreal Forest)
Cold winters, short summers, and vast stretches of coniferous trees. The taiga is the world's largest land biome and a wonderful study in animal adaptation.
Tundra
Frozen soil (permafrost), minimal vegetation, and hardy animals like caribou and arctic foxes. Children are amazed that plants can grow at all in these conditions.
Aquatic Biomes
Freshwater (lakes, rivers, wetlands) and marine (oceans, coral reefs) biomes cover more than 70% of Earth's surface. Our Land & Water Forms lesson is a perfect companion.
Can Biomes Change?
Yes! Biomes shift over time due to climate change, human activity, and natural events. Forests can become deserts; wetlands can dry up. This is an important conversation to have with older children, connecting ecology to stewardship.
Studying Biomes at Home
- Start with your own biome. Walk outside and observe: What plants grow here? What animals visit? What is the weather like across seasons?
- Make a biome diorama. Use a shoebox, paint, and natural materials to create a miniature biome.
- Sort animal cards by biome. Print or purchase animal cards and have your child sort them into the correct biome.
- Read and compare. Use a globe or our Map Skills lesson to locate each biome on Earth.
Recommended Materials
- Biome Sorting Cards — Montessori Geography Set — Beautiful illustrated cards for matching animals and plants to their biomes.
- World Biomes Poster Set — Large, colorful posters perfect for a classroom or homeschool wall.