Game On: Activity Shows How Camouflage Works

Some animals are really good at hiding. Animals use different types of defense mechanisms to avoid getting eaten. A method that many animals use is camouflage. 

Do you see the walking stick? (Photo via Shutterstock)

A specific type of camouflage called concealing coloration is when animals blend into their similarly colored surroundings. Camouflage is a special type of adaptation that gives that animal a real advantage. Let's play a game to test this advantage! 

Materials

• Two pieces of different colored paper

• A pencil 

• Scissors 

• A hole punch

Game prep Instructions  

1. Cut out the shape of a leaf from one piece of paper.

2. Using the scraps from the first piece of paper, use a hole punch to cut holes.

3. Using the different colored paper, use a hole punch to cut holes.  

4. Mix the different colored dots you made with the hole punch together. 

5. Place the dots on the leaf shape you cut and spread them out.  

Let’s play a game!

In this game, you will play the part of a hungry bird. The dots you cut out are modeling different-colored insects. All the insects are tasty, and none of them want to get eaten by a hungry bird. Imagine you are the bird flying high in the sky, looking for a tasty treat.  

1. Close your eyes for 3 seconds.  

2. Open your eyes looking at the leaf and grab the first "insect" dot you see.  

3. Repeat this 10 times.  

4. Record your results. 

5. Return the dots to the paper and try again.  

How many of each colored bug did you eat? What do the results show you? Does the color of the bug make a difference? How did camouflage impact the colors of bugs you collected? Why do you think this is so?  

Take it further

Switch the color of the leaf. Do your results change? Does the color or the camouflage make a difference? Think about real animals and insects. How does camouflage help animals survive? 

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