Fun Zoo Theme Activities To Get Your Kids Ready for the Zoo
We recently took a trip to visit the Henry Doorley Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska. It is rated as the #1 zoo in the United States by Trip Advisor, so we were expecting it to be pretty amazing.
It definitely was.
My kids were amazed as we saw penguins, lions, jellyfish, snakes, elephants and so much more. Because the buildings vary so much in temperature and humidity make sure that you are wearing easily removable layers. Going from the Amazon rainforest to the icy penguin house can be a bit unpleasant if you can’t get your sweatshirt off or put one on.
My special needs daughter did have a few moments that resulted in some big tears…
Going through the dark passage and under the waterfall in the rainforest exhibit was one of them.
Getting too close to the train when it blew its whistle.
And not wanting to leave.
So just some things to keep in mind if you have a child that is sensitive to loud noises or the dark.
Zoo Theme Crafts and Activities for Kids
Here are some fun zoo-themed crafts & activities that can help you prepare your child for a trip to the zoo this summer!
1. Animal Theme I Spy “Flip” Board Game
This is a kid-favorite for sure! This animal theme I Spy “Flip” Board Game is a fast-paced activity that is sure to please your preschoolers! Since they might not see a narwhal or a blue whale at the zoo (those are more aquarium animals… or maybe not), you could also use the animal I Spy board game to talk about animals that your would or wouldn’t see at the zoo. That can help to manage expectations and lead to less meltdowns when your preschoolers realize they aren’t going to see a unicorn or a flying dragon at the zoo…. maybe a flying squirrel.
2. Safari Sensory Bin with Chickpeas and Coconut
Go on safari… from the safety of your own classroom. Discover the animals of the African plains with a fun safari sensory bin made with chickpeas and coconut. This easy to assemble sensory bin will provide hours of imaginary play and sensory exploration.
Extend Playtime with MORE Animal Sensory Activities:
- Summer Flamingo Sensory Bin
- Farm Animal Sensory Bin
- Turtle Sensory Bottle
- Arctic Animal Sensory Bin Scavenger Hunt
3. Zoo Scavenger Hunts
Make the most out of exploring the zoo with these differentiated zoo scavenger hunts. Choose from a picture-based scavenger hunt or draw your own pictures as you discover the large variety of animals in the zoo. You can also use these versatile zoo scavenger hunts paired with your favorite zoo theme preschool books if you can’t take a field trip to a local zoo.
4. Zoo Scavenger Hunt Book
Looking for more ways to explore the animals at the zoo? Try this fun zoo scavenger hunt book with real photos of animals to match to the animals you find at the zoo.
Continue your exploration!
Get more free printable scavenger hunts here.
4. Zoo Animal Pattern Block Templates
With more ‘traditional’ animals included, this zoo animal pattern block template set is a fun way to learn about shapes and zoo animals at the same time. It’s a great math and fine motor center for your preschool zoo theme!
Discover More Animal Pattern Block Templates:
- Farm Animal Pattern Block Templates
- Forest Animal Pattern Block Templates
- Ocean Animal Pattern Block Templates
5. Forest Animal Matching Activities
Zoos aren’t only filled with elephants and tigers, get ready for your trip to the zoo by learning about forest animals as well. Whether it’s a fenec fox or a hedgehog, a trip to the zoo (and your preschool zoo theme) will be so much more fun when kids can recognize animals that they have learned about with these fun forest animal matching games.
6. Forest Animal Graphing Activity
Work a little bit of math into your zoo theme with a simple forest animal graphing activity. Then, when you head to the zoo you can use the graphing activity to have kids count how many of each animal they see. My daughter LOVES counting the squirrels at the zoo…lol!
7. Monkey and Banana Alphabet Matching Game
Your little monkeys will love practicing their letter identification skills with this exciting zoo theme monkey and banana alphabet matching game. Pair uppercase and lowercase letters to win the game!
Want even more alphabet matching games? Check out our huge alphabet matching game collection here.
8. Monkey and Banana Counting Cards
Your preschoolers will also love feeding bananas to the monkeys on these monkey and banana counting cards. Grab some fruit counters to count from 1 to 10 with these adorable counting cards for your preschool zoo theme.
9. Rainforest Animal Matching Games
Just as your journey through the zoo will take you to different regions of the world, this set of rainforest animal matching games will get kids curious about rainforest animals during your preschool zoo theme. You can also use the matching cards to talk about the variety of animals you discover on a field trip to the zoo.
10. Rainforest Animal BINGO Game
Get the whole class engaged with this super fun rainforest animal BINGO game! Perfect for working on matching, animal identification, and a wide variety of game-playing skills (like listening skills!). Add it to your zoo theme when you need a large group activity.
11. Desert Animal Board Game
This simple desert animal board game is a great activity to add to your zoo theme activities. While most people think of elephants and giraffes at the zoo, you can also find wolves, eagles, tortoises, meerkats and more!
12. Arctic Animal Matching Games
Or head to some cooler climates to learn about arctic animals with this fun set of arctic animal matching games. My kids always love finding the puffins at the zoo!
13. Forest Biome Sorting Mats
A zoo theme can also lead to great conversations about the wide variety of climates and habitats that animals need. Like what is the difference between a deciduous forest and the rainforest? And what animals would you discover in each of them. Use this forest biome sorting mat to talk about the differences.
14. Growing Patterns with Nocturnal Animals
Does your local zoo have a ‘nighttime’ room? It’s a fun way to learn about animals that we don’t normally get to see… because they only come out at dark. This nocturnal animal growing patterns activity can be easily adapted for your preschoolers, who are more on the AB pattern level, and a great opportunity to learn about nocturnal animals during your zoo theme.
More Activities for Your Preschool Zoo Theme
Lion Paper Plate Craft from East Coast Mommy
Zebra Paper Plate Craft from East Coast Mommy
Learn about animal tracks with this Animal Track Hand Prints activity from Left Brain Craft Brain.
These DIY Safari Binoculars from Arts & Crackers would be so fun to take to the zoo!!
For those who love play dough this Feed the Shark Play Dough Geometry Game from Left Brain Craft Brain would be a good opportunity to talk about the fact that the sharks cannot bite through the glass in the aquarium…seeing a shark up close can be a scary thing!
I love this Colorful Chameleon Craft (love the alliteration!!) from Cutting Tiny Bites
We saw a chameleon at the Omaha zoo and it was so cool!! He was actually brown, so we thought he was something else at first!
Fuzzy Brown Bear from Cutting Tiny Bites
We loved the Penguin building at the Omaha Zoo. They actually have a system that lets out snow from the ceiling to keep the penguins cold and they adjust the lighting in the summer for the penguins and puffins who would naturally be heading into winter.
Check out this fun Frozen Ooblek Sensory Play with Penguins from Messy Little Monster.
Do you have some leftover bubble wrap? Try this Bubble Wrap Giraffe from Crafty Kids at Home.
These animal finger puppets from In the Playroom would a great way to role play different encounters at the zoo.
Use this Zoo animals dice game from Pre-K Pages to talk about how animals move and eat.
This paper bag hippopotamus from I Heart Crafty Things would give you a chance to talk about how big and dangerous hippos really are.
Even though every time I hear the word hippopotamus, I want to sing, “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas…. ” Impress upon your children that this would not be a good idea. *wink*
Here are some great books to read before your zoo visit. They give lots of opportunities to talk about what is real and what is pretend.
And then check out some videos like this:
More Activities You’ll Love:
Preschool Themes to Use All Year
- Transportation Theme Activities for Kids
- Farm Theme Activities for Kids
- Popcorn Theme Activities for Kids
- Rainbow Theme Activities for Kids
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Looking for more? Find exactly what you need here:
looks fun try try for letter Zz!
Thank you so much for sharing your moments with your sweet daughter and your insights on special needs kiddos. I am a first grade teacher who took a twelve year break to teach middle school. So much has changed (The iPhone was invented since I taught first grade last!) and there is all of this good information being shared to help me understand even more about my inclusion classroom. I always had empathy, but now I am learning how to help my students adapt and thrive. I saw my firsties grow like I never knew they could this past year! Thank you!