---
title: "Offspring resemble parents"
description: "Observe that young plants and animals resemble their parents but are not identical, recognising inherited similarities and individual differences"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/offspring-resemble-parents-mt_cEzX5r7kp0
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/offspring-resemble-parents-mt_cEzX5r7kp0.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Offspring resemble parents

Observe that young plants and animals resemble their parents but are not identical, recognising inherited similarities and individual differences

Subject: Science · Area: Organisms & Life Processes · Ages 6 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/offspring-resemble-parents-mt_cEzX5r7kp0

## Ready when they can

- Describe at least three features that offspring inherit from parents (e.g. eye colour, petal colour, fur type)
- Explain that offspring are similar to parents but not identical copies
- Give examples from both plants and animals showing resemblance with variation

## Lesson: Offspring look like their parents

Baby plants and animals grow up to look like their parents. A kitten looks like a cat. A sunflower seed grows into a sunflower. But look closely, and no baby is an exact copy of its parent.

*(drawing: A sunflower seed grows into a tall sunflower like its parent, so you can guess what your seeds will become.)*

**Example.** Mia's cat has orange fur and green eyes. Her kittens have orange fur too, but one kitten has white paws that its mother does not have. The kittens look like their mother, but each one is a little different. What games they like to play is something they learn, not something passed down from parents.

**Example.** A tall pea plant grows pods full of seeds. Those seeds grow into new pea plants. Most grow tall like the parent plant, but some grow a bit shorter or taller.

**Tip.** Look for things like eye colour, fur or petal colour, and how tall something grows. These are features offspring often inherit from their parents.

**Recap.** Offspring look like their parents in many ways, but no two are exactly the same.

## Practice

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

## Needs first

- [How Animals Have Babies](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-animals-have-babies-mt_-vsLvsxp0L)
- [Animal Life Stages](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/animal-life-stages-mt_oR6dwRj2Ll)

## Opens up

- [Inherited characteristics](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/inherited-characteristics-mt_1wxwg782yX)