Animal names and animal sounds are some of the first English words children enjoy saying out loud. A “moo” or a “roar” is playful, easy to copy and impossible to feel nervous about.
This guide gives you 28 animals in four groups, with the sound each one makes in a short sentence. Read the sentence, then make the sound together.
Say the name, then make the sound, then say the sentence. The sound gives your child something easy to copy before they have to say a full sentence.
All 28 animals and their sounds on 4 A4 pages, with tick boxes and animal games. Free to print for home or classroom.
28 animal names and sounds in English
Animal sounds are written differently in different languages, so a dog’s “woof” may not match the sound you use at home. That is fine. It can be fun to compare the two.
1. On the farm
| Animal | Simple example |
|---|---|
| cow | The cow says "moo". |
| sheep | The sheep says "baa". |
| pig | The pig says "oink". |
| horse | The horse says "neigh". |
| hen | The hen says "cluck". |
| duck | The duck says "quack". |
| rooster | The rooster says "cock-a-doodle-doo". |
| donkey | The donkey says "hee-haw". |
2. Pets at home
| Animal | Simple example |
|---|---|
| dog | The dog says "woof". |
| cat | The cat says "meow". |
| kitten | The kitten says "mew". |
| puppy | The puppy says "yip". |
| mouse | The mouse says "squeak". |
| bird | The bird says "tweet". |
3. In the jungle
| Animal | Simple example |
|---|---|
| lion | The lion says "roar". |
| elephant | The elephant makes a "trumpet" sound. |
| monkey | The monkey says "ooh ooh". |
| snake | The snake says "hiss". |
| bear | The bear says "growl". |
| wolf | The wolf says "howl". |
| tiger | The tiger says "roar". |
4. In the garden and sky
| Animal | Simple example |
|---|---|
| bee | The bee says "buzz". |
| frog | The frog says "ribbit". |
| owl | The owl says "hoot". |
| crow | The crow says "caw". |
| pigeon | The pigeon says "coo". |
| cricket | The cricket says "chirp". |
| parrot | The parrot can say "hello". |
Use pictures, toys and the real thing
Animal books, toy animals and photos all work well. If you can, point to a real animal outside, such as a bird, a cow on the road or a dog in the park. Seeing the animal first and then saying its name is the same see, say, use order as every other word.
A 5-minute game: which animal is it?
Sound or animal
- Make an animal sound and ask “Which animal is it?”
- Your child says the name, for example “A cow.”
- Say the sentence together: “The cow says moo.”
- Swap. Your child makes a sound and you guess, and you can guess wrong on purpose.
- Try animal actions too: trunk swing for an elephant, flapping arms for a bird.
More ways to play
- Animal charades. Act out an animal without a sound and let your child guess.
- Farm, jungle or garden. Sort toy animals into the groups from the tables.
- Draw and label. Draw a duck or an owl, then say or write the word next to it.
- Spot it outside. Count how many birds, dogs or cows you see on a walk.
Meet animals in our stories
You will find a few of these animals in the short Hindi story videos on our channel. Watch Pyaasa Kauwa for the crow and Sher Aur Chuha for the lion and the mouse, then ask your child to name the animals in English. For more everyday words, see the 100 easy English words for kids, or colour an animal on screen with Flucie Create.
Start with the sounds your child already likes
Choose three or four animals your child already knows and loves. Say the name and make the sound every time you meet that animal this week, in a book, on a walk or in a toy box. Add new animals when the first ones feel familiar.
Frequently asked questions
What animal sounds should kids learn first in English?
Start with animals your child already knows: cow, dog, cat, duck and bird. Their sounds, moo, woof, meow, quack and tweet, are easy to copy.
Why do animal sounds look different in different languages?
Animal sounds are written to imitate what people hear, and each language does it a little differently. You can enjoy comparing the English sound with the one you use at home.
How can I use animal sounds to help my child speak English?
Say the animal name, make the sound together, then say the short sentence. The sound gives your child something easy to copy before a full sentence.
How many animals should I teach at once?
Three or four. Use them for a few days, in books, toys and walks, before you add new ones.
Is there a printable list of animals and sounds?
Yes. The PDF on this page has all 28 animals with a tick box for each and animal games. It is free to print for home or classroom use.
Keep reading
Vocabulary100 Easy English Words for Kids to Learn at Home
Simple everyday vocabulary children can see, hear, say and use, with a short example sentence for every word.
Opposites in English for Kids
Thirty two pairs of opposites with a short sentence for each, and a free printable with an opposites game.
Feelings Words in English for Kids
Thirty two feelings words with a short sentence for each, a daily check-in and a free printable.
Written by the Flucie team. See how we make our content or send a correction to hello@flucie.com.
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