Recognise Basic Needs of Humans and Animals

All living things have basic needs that are needed to survive, stay healthy and happy.

There are four main basic needs, these are water, food, air and shelter.

Water - humans and animals need water to drink.  Water is important because it helps us to stay hydrated and cool, especially when it's hot outside.  

Food - humans and animals need food for energy and to keep strong.  Food is a fuel to keep humans or animals moving and able to do everyday tasks.

Air - humans and animals need air to breathe.  Humans and some animals use their noses and lungs to breathe oxygen from the air; some animals (such as fish) use gills to take in oxygen from water.

Shelter -  humans and animals need a safe place to live, sleep and raise their offspring. This could be a house, a nest in a tree or a burrow underground.  Shelter offers protection from bad weather, a safe place away from predators and a place to sleep.

In this activity, you will decide what is a need in a variety of different circumstances.