Living vs. Non-Living Things Study Notes

In kindergarten science, we learn about the world around us. A big part of that is understanding the difference between things that are living and things that are non-living.

🌱 What are Living Things?

Living things are all around us! They are special because they can do many things on their own. Think about you, your pet, or a plant in the garden!

• They can eat food or make their own food to get energy.
• They can grow bigger and change over time.
• They can move by themselves. (A plant moves towards the sun, animals walk or fly.)
• They can breathe air or take in what they need to live.
• They can have babies or seeds, making more of themselves.

Examples of Living Things:

• 🧒 People (like you!)
• 🐶 Animals (dogs, cats, birds, fish)
• 🌳 Plants (trees, flowers, grass)
• 🐛 Insects (butterflies, ants)

💡 Pro Tip: If something can eat, grow, move on its own, breathe, and have babies, it's a living thing!

🪨 What are Non-Living Things?

Non-living things are also all around us, but they cannot do the special things that living things can. They need help to move or change.

• They do not eat food.
• They do not grow bigger on their own.
• They do not move by themselves. (A car needs a driver, a ball needs a push.)
• They do not breathe air.
• They do not have babies or make more of themselves.

Examples of Non-Living Things:

• 🚗 Toys (cars, dolls, blocks)
• 💧 Water
• ⛰️ Rocks and dirt
• 🏠 Houses and furniture
• 🎈 Balloons

📌 Key Takeaway: Non-living things stay the same unless someone or something changes them.

🔎 How to Tell the Difference: Living vs. Non-Living

Here's a quick way to remember the differences!

Feature	Living Things	Non-Living Things
Eat/Make Food?	Yes	No
Grow?	Yes	No
Move Alone?	Yes	No
Breathe?	Yes	No
Have Babies?	Yes	No