Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
My Senses Match-Up: Free Printable Worksheet for Ages 2 to 4
- ForAges 2 to 4
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
My Senses Match Up is a free printable science worksheet for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Children join each body part to what it does. They practise naming body parts, the five senses and matching. Page 2 gives the adult notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is the activity for children. They look at the body parts and the things they do, then draw a line to join each pair. The sheet works on the five senses and on naming parts of the body. Young children do best when they try the sense for real first, then draw the line. Sit beside your child and let them lead.
Why start with the senses?
Very young children learn about the world by using their senses. They look, listen, touch, smell and taste. Every new toy, food and place is something to explore this way. A sheet about the senses starts from what children already do all day, so it feels familiar. That makes it a friendly first step into science.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, this kind of learning sits within Understanding the World. Children notice things around them and begin to talk about them. Matching a body part to a job helps them link words to real experience. Talking while they work builds vocabulary, which matters as much as drawing the line.
Adults choose and check any objects used for the senses activities. Do not let children taste anything unless an adult has chosen it and checked for allergies. Children under 3 often put things in their mouths, so avoid small objects. Keep smelling items gentle and mild.
Fun facts about the senses
- Our senses send messages to the brain.
- The brain helps us make sense of what our senses tell us.
- We often use more than one sense at the same time.
- Many animals use their senses to find food and stay safe.
- Babies begin exploring the world with their senses from the day they are born.
Skills and curriculum link
- Naming body parts
- The five senses
- Matching
- Listening and talking
- Pencil control
Ideas to help you talk about the senses
- Try it firstLet your child do the sense for real before they draw the line. Real experience makes the pair easier to remember.
- Use your own bodyPoint to your own body part and say its name. Children copy what they see, so show them.
- Say it in a short sentenceUse simple words such as 'I use this to find out about things.' Short, clear talk is easier to follow at this age.
- Notice senses in daily lifeMention senses as they happen. At a park, a bath or a mealtime, ask what your child can notice right now.
Key words
- SenseA way our body finds out about the world around us.
- Body partOne piece of the body, such as an arm or a knee.
- MatchTo pair two things that belong together.
- DescribeTo say what something is like.
- ExploreTo find out about something by trying it.
- MysterySomething hidden that you have to work out.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself.
- Do one sense at a time. Let your child try it, like smelling a flower, then draw the line.
- Work through the sheet together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say the pair together and point to your own body part. Then let your child point to theirs. Do one match at a time and stop for a rest if they lose interest. A chunky crayon is easier to hold than a pencil.
To stretch confident children
Ask what each sense helps us do, like keep safe. Then ask your child to think of a place and say what they might notice there. Encourage them to use a full sentence if they can.
Make it a game
Play a mystery bag game. An adult puts a safe, soft object in a bag. Your child feels it without looking and says what it is like. Then they guess what it is, and take a turn choosing for you.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child draws lines quickly without looking at the pictures.
Try thisSlow down. Do one sense at a time, try it for real, then draw the line.
Watch forA child knows the body part but not what it does.
Try thisSay the pair together and point to your own body part. Use the real action each time.
Watch forThe lines are wobbly or the child scribbles.
Try thisThis is normal at ages 2 to 4. Use a chunky crayon, hold the paper steady and praise their effort.
Talk about it
- What can you notice in this room right now?
- Which body part are you using at the moment?
- What is something soft that you like to touch?
- What is your favourite smell?
- What is the loudest sound you have ever heard?
- How do your senses help you stay safe?
Take it off the page
Sound walk
Go outside or sit by an open window. Stay quiet for a moment and listen. Ask your child to tell you what they heard.
Feely box
An adult puts safe objects with different textures in a box. Children put a hand in and describe what they feel.
Smell and look jars
An adult prepares a few safe things, such as a flower or a bar of soap. Children look, then smell gently, and say what they notice.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Keep it short and stop while it is still fun. Try each sense for real before the line is drawn, and praise effort as well as correct answers.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. It suits a topic on ourselves or the senses, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
Home educators
Pair the sheet with books, outdoor play and everyday talk about what your child notices. It is free to print again for brothers and sisters, or to revisit a few weeks later.
Where this fits
Before this sheet, children explore objects freely, play with sand, water and textures, and learn the names of body parts through songs and rhymes. Those experiences give them words to use here.
After it, children describe things in more detail and sort objects by how they look, feel or sound. In Year 1 science they go on to name parts of the human body and say which part is linked to each sense.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is My Senses Match Up for?
It is written for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Younger children will need an adult beside them. Older children may enjoy the stretch idea on page 2 and can try more of the sheet on their own.
- What will children practise?
They practise naming body parts, the five senses and matching. The sheet connects to Understanding the World in the EYFS. Children join each body part to what it does and talk about their choices.
- How do I use it?
Do one sense at a time. Let your child try it for real, like smelling a flower, then draw the line. Work through it together the first time and check against the notes on page 2.
- What if it feels too hard?
Say the pair together and point to your own body part. Do one match at a time. Stop when your child has had enough and come back another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or to revisit later. Black and white on plain A4 paper works well.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil or crayon. It works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays, and it gets children talking about what they notice.
- How long does it take?
It depends on your child. Keep sessions short and stop while it is still fun. You can do one sense at a time and come back to the rest on another day.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.