---
title: "How Animals Have Babies"
description: "Know that different animals have their babies in different ways — some lay eggs (birds, reptiles, fish, insects), some give birth to live young (most mammals) — and that babies may look like miniature"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-animals-have-babies-mt_-vsLvsxp0L
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-animals-have-babies-mt_-vsLvsxp0L.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# How Animals Have Babies

Know that different animals have their babies in different ways — some lay eggs (birds, reptiles, fish, insects), some give birth to live young (most mammals) — and that babies may look like miniature adults or look very different from their parents

Subject: Science · Area: Animals of the World · Ages 5 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-animals-have-babies-mt_-vsLvsxp0L

## Ready when they can

- Gives examples of animals that lay eggs and animals that give birth to live young
- Describes at least one example of a baby that looks different from its parent (e.g., tadpole/frog, caterpillar/butterfly)
- Shows curiosity about how different animals have their babies

## Lesson: How Animals Have Babies

Animals make babies in two main ways. Some lay eggs. The baby grows inside the egg, then hatches out. Other animals do not lay eggs. Their babies are born alive, no egg needed.

**Example.** A robin lays her eggs in a nest. She sits on them to keep them warm. One day, the eggs hatch. Baby birds peck their way out.

*(drawing: A frog starts as an egg, then a tadpole, then a frog. The tadpole looks nothing like its frog parent.)*

**Tip.** Not all babies look like their parents. A caterpillar turns into a butterfly, and looks totally different. But puppies already look like small dogs. Every animal is different.

**Recap.** Baby animals hatch from eggs or are born alive, and some change a lot as they grow.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Animals Everywhere](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/animals-everywhere-mt_v3Vz_Pgjjv)

## Opens up

- [Offspring resemble parents](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/offspring-resemble-parents-mt_cEzX5r7kp0)
- [Animal Life Stages](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/animal-life-stages-mt_oR6dwRj2Ll)