More Animal Signs!
Make colorful animal signs for a backyard trail using cardboard, paint, and markers. Label species and footprints to create a fun nature scavenger hunt.
Step-by-step guide to make colorful animal signs
Step 1
Choose a flat workspace outside or on a table and cover it with newspaper or scrap paper to keep it clean
Step 2
Cut the cardboard into sign shapes like rectangles or animals using safety scissors and ask an adult for help if you need it
Step 3
Draw a simple outline of an animal and its matching footprint on each cardboard sign with your pencil
Step 4
Paint the background of each sign with any bright color you like
Step 5
Let the painted backgrounds dry completely before you touch them
Step 6
Paint the animal shape and its footprint on each sign using a color that shows up on the background
Step 7
Let the painted animals and footprints dry fully so the paint does not smear
Step 8
Write the species name in big letters on each sign using a marker
Step 9
Write the word "Footprint" next to the footprint drawing on each sign with a marker
Step 10
Outline the animal and footprint with a dark marker so they are easy to see from far away
Step 11
Tape or glue a wooden craft stick to the back of each sign to make a stake for the ground
Step 12
Place the signs along your backyard trail spacing them out so friends can follow them easily
Step 13
Share a photo of your finished nature trail and signs on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I can't find wooden craft sticks or specific paints?
If you don't have wooden craft sticks use sturdy popsicle sticks, bamboo skewers, or folded cardboard tabs taped to the back as stakes, and if you lack acrylic paints use washable tempera, poster paint, or colored markers/crayons to color the backgrounds and animals.
My paint keeps smearing when I touch the signs—how can I stop that?
To prevent smearing as described in steps 5 and 6, let each painted layer dry longer, apply thinner coats, or gently speed-dry with a low-heat hair dryer before outlining with a dark marker in step 11.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For younger kids have an adult pre-cut the cardboard shapes and let them use stickers or chunky crayons for the animal and footprint, while older kids can carefully cut detailed shapes, paint realistic footprints, write species facts with the species name, and securely glue or tape stronger stakes as in step 10.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the nature trail signs?
Make the signs more interactive by gluing on real leaves or yarn for texture, using glow-in-the-dark or metallic paint for accents, laminating or sealing them for weatherproofing, and adding a short species fact or QR code next to the big species name before placing them along your trail in step 12.
Watch videos on how to make colorful animal signs
How Do Bats See with Sound? | Echolocation | Amazing Animal Senses | SciShow Kids
3 Videos
How Do Bats See with Sound? | Echolocation | Amazing Animal Senses | SciShow Kids
Animal Signs 2 | Domestic and Farm Animals | Jack Hartmann
Learn to sign Animals 🐑🐖🐒🐂 | Mr Tumble and Friends
Facts about nature crafts for kids
♻️ Cardboard is an awesome upcycling material: it's easy to cut, lightweight to hang, and can be decorated again and again.
🎨 Acrylic paint is water-based, dries quickly, and works great on cardboard for bright, weather-ready signs.
🐾 Animal tracks can show an animal's size, direction, and whether it was walking or running — perfect clues for a backyard trail!
🐦 Bird footprints commonly show three forward toes and one backward toe, while many mammals leave paw prints with toe pads and claw marks — great for matching signs to prints.
🔍 Nature scavenger hunts boost observation skills — kids who hunt for tracks and signs notice more plants, sounds, and wildlife.
How do I make More Animal Signs for a backyard trail?
What materials do I need for More Animal Signs?
What ages is the More Animal Signs activity suitable for?
What are some fun variations for the More Animal Signs trail?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required