Animals 1 Busy Book Pages: Matching, Counting and Tracing for Ages 2–4 (Free PDF)

Quick summary

Animals 1 Busy Book Pages is a free 7-page printable for ages 2–4: a parent guide, 5 activity pages and a review page. Print, laminate and use wipe-clean markers so the pages can be played again and again. The 5 activities are shadow match, count to 5, find and circle, big and small, and follow the path.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–4, with a grown-up. Skip any page that feels too hard and come back later.
• Activities: shadow match, count to 5, find and circle, big and small, follow the path.
• Format: 7 A4 pages, PDF. Print at 100% and laminate each page.
• You need: wipe-clean markers (medium tip), a cloth or tissue and laminating pouches.

How does this book help your child?

Each page practices one small skill. We give a source where one applies, and say plainly where a page is simply a design choice.

• Counting with touch (research-informed). The University of Washington I-LABS describes one-to-one correspondence — matching one number word to one object — as part of early numeracy and offers ideas for practicing it. The Count to 5 page asks your child to touch each animal as they count, then trace the number.
• Looking closely. Shadow match and Find and circle ask your child to compare shapes and spot the same animal among others.
• Comparing sizes. Big and small asks your child to circle the biggest animal and put an X on the smallest.
• Pre-writing practice. Follow the path has your child trace wavy, zigzag and curvy lines with a marker.

These are practice activities, not a test. Praise the try, not the perfect line.

What is inside the file?

• A parent and teacher guide: how to use the pages, what you need, what your child will learn.
• Page 1 — Shadow match: draw a line from each animal to its shadow.
• Page 2 — Count to 5: count the animals, then trace the numbers 1 to 5.
• Page 3 — Find and circle: circle every animal that matches the first one.
• Page 4 — Big and small: circle the biggest and put an X on the smallest.
• Page 5 — Follow the path: trace the dotted line from one friend to the other.
• A review page: one square for each activity; draw or say what you learned.

Guide for parents and teachers: how to use the book

How to use the pages

1. Print on A4 at 100%, then laminate each page (thermal lamination).
2. Use a wipe-clean marker (medium tip) and a soft cloth. Wipe and play again.
3. Sit together. Say the animal names out loud and let your child do the drawing, circling and tracing.
4. Praise the try, not the perfect line.

What you need

• Wipe-clean markers and a cloth or tissue.
• A laminating pouch for each page, and a punch if you bind them as a busy book.
• Safe plastic scissors only if you also cut out the animal cards.

Ages 2–4, with a grown-up. If a page feels too hard, skip it and come back later.

Next step: pair these pages with the Animals 1 mini book and flashcards so your child already knows the animal names.

Frequently asked questions

License and terms of use

• Allowed: print and laminate for personal use with your own children, and in the classroom or learning sessions.
• Allowed: share the link to this page with others.
• Not allowed: selling the file or any part of it, uploading it to another website, channel, group or store, or presenting it as someone else’s work.
• Commercial use (books or products for sale) requires written permission.

© Art & Craft Academy. All rights reserved. For questions, use our contact page.

Printed and laminated version: coming soon.

Sources

• University of Washington I-LABS — Building one-to-one correspondence skills

Ages are approximate. Sources reviewed October 2026.