Zoo

INTERACTIVE PLANNING-THE ZOO

NEW! (Open Interactive planning-Zoo) Type your planned activities, save the document, and then print it so you can use it to animate and lead educational activities related to the zoo theme.

CIRCLE TIME

NEW! Ask each child to bring a book, stuffed animal, movie, figurine, or toy representing zoo animals from home. Gather all the items in the center of the circle, draw one at random, and encourage children to share what they know about it.

NEW! Let's talk “zoo”
Gather the children in your group around you. Take a pair of binoculars and pretend to observe something far away. Describe various zoo animals one by one and invite children to identify them. After describing an elephant, lion, tiger, gorilla, snake, and crocodile, ask children where these animals live. They might tell you that they live in the zoo. Together, explore different characteristics of the natural habitats of animals that we see in zoos: dense forests, abundant vegetation, warm or tropical environments...

NEW! Let’s chat
(Open word flashcards-Zoo) Print and laminate the flashcards. Each child draws a word. They take turns presenting their word to the group (ex. a lion). As a group, discuss each item to see what children know about the theme. Ask them questions. Ask each child to bring a book, stuffed animal, movie, figurine, or any other toy representing something related to the zoo. Gather all the items in the center of the circle, draw one at random, and have the children talk about what they know about that animal (or object). Read The Jungle Book to your group or show children a short clip from the movie.

AREA SETUP

NEW! Educa-theme-Zoo
(Open educa-theme-Zoo) Print and laminate the various elements representing the theme. These images will help you introduce the theme to your group while decorating a corner within your space.

NEW! Educa-decorate-Zoo
(Open educa-decorate-Zoo) Print, cut out, and laminate the items. Decorate your walls to set the mood for the theme.

NEW! Zoo-themed garland
(Open models-Zoo) Print and let children decorate the items. Cut them out and hang them within your space or near your daycare entrance in the form of a garland.

NEW! Thematic poster-Zoo
(Open thematic poster-Zoo) Print and display the poster in your daycare. To decorate your space according to the theme, we suggest hanging plants, stuffed animals, and other images related to the zoo theme.

NEW! Our personalized jungle
Unroll Kraft paper on the floor and cut long strips, long enough to attach them to the wall vertically, from floor to ceiling. Glue several strips next to each other, leaving some space between them to represent tree trunks. Next, cut large tropical plants and tree leaves that you can stick here and there, on either side of the trunks. (Open monkey head) Print a monkey head for each child. Have them fill a brown paper lunch bag with crumpled recycled paper, fold the top of the bag down, and glue it in place before gluing their monkey head over it. Then, encourage them to cut several strips of brown construction paper measuring about 4 cm x 20 cm. They can staple or glue the two ends of the first strip together, slide another strip through the first ring, and repeat the process to create 4 chains, each containing 4 rings. These chains will represent their monkey’s arms and legs. Help them glue them in place on their paper bag (the body of their monkey). Using stickers or double-sided tape, children attach their monkeys to your jungle to create a 3D mural.

NEW! Lion door
Wrap your daycare door with yellow paper. Draw a lion’s face in the center of the door. Cut several pieces of orange and brown crepe paper. Glue these around the doorframe, alternating colors to create a lion's mane.

NEW! Jungle wall
Hang a transparent shower curtain in one corner of your daycare space. Each morning, as children arrive, invite them to draw a jungle animal on the plastic surface using washable markers. Hang suns and vines that you’ve cut out of cardboard from the ceiling.

NEW! Jungle garland
(Open jungle animals) Print and let children decorate the jungle animals. Cut them out and hang them in your space or over your daycare entrance. Throughout the theme, transform the space where children eat snacks and meals. Set a green tablecloth on the table. (Open zoo animals) Print and trace animals on construction paper. Draw details (eyes, mouth) directly on the cardboard. Use pipe cleaners for ears and tails, if needed. Create a centerpiece with the animals or hang them over the table using invisible string.

Hang plastic animals from your daycare ceiling using different lengths of string to allow children to observe them. You can also hang vines made from green plastic tablecloths that you’ve cut into strips.

PICTURE GAME

NEW! Each week, we create a thematic picture game. You can use the pictures for a memory game or as a conversation starter. Use the pictures to decorate your space or set up a thematic corner. (Open picture game-Zoo) Print, laminate, and store the pictures in a "Ziploc" bag or in your thematic bin.

NEW! Memory game
(Open picture game-Zoo) Print the pictures twice and use them for a simple memory game.

ACTIVITY AND WRITING SHEETS

NEW! Activity sheet-Zoo
Each week, we suggest activity sheets. (Open activity sheets-Zoo) Print and follow instructions.

NEW! Writing activities-Z like Zoo
Each week, we suggest writing sheets. (Open writing activities-Z like Zoo) Print for each child or laminate and use with a dry-erase marker.

NEW! Stationery-Zoo
Each week, we offer thematic stationery that you can use to communicate with parents, in your writing corner, or even to label your various thematic bins. (Open stationery-Monkeys) Print.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

NEW! Word flaschards-Zoo

The flashcards may be used to spark a conversation with your group, in your reading and writing area, or even to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flaschards-Zoo) (Open giant word flashcards-Zoo) zebra, elephant, lion, giraffe, monkey, kangaroo, cheetah, crocodile, cage, tiger, gorilla, zoo. 

NEW! Educa-chatterbox-Zoo

(Open educa-chatterbox-Zoo) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Decorate a shoebox and set the cards as well as a variety of small items related to the theme inside it. During circle time or, for example, when children are waiting for lunch to be served, have them pick one card or item out of your chatterbox at a time and encourage them to name the item and tell you what they know about it. 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

NEW! Let’s manipulate the letter Z like “zoo”

(Open let’s manipulate the letter z Like zoo) Print for each child. Children must trace, stamp, punch, and reproduce the letter on their worksheet.  

NEW! Let’s explore the zoo with kitchen tongs

(Open giant zoo scene) Print the pages and glue them on the bottom of a large plastic bin. Cut different sizes of leaf shapes out of green crepe paper, construction paper, and Fun Foam sheets. Set the leaves over the zoo scene pages, hiding the elements related to the theme. Children take turns using kitchen tongs to remove the leaves one at a time. If, when they remove a leaf, they see an element related to the theme, encourage them to name it.

NEW! Zoo cutting exercise

(Open cutting exercise-Zoo) Print several copies and cut out the strips containing zoo animal paw prints. Give one strip to each child along with safety scissors. Children take turns rolling a die, counting the dots, and cutting out the corresponding number of paw prints. For example, if a child rolls a “3”, he could either cut out a section containing three paw prints or cut out three individual paw prints. The first child who has nothing left to cut wins the game.  

NEW! Modeling dough activity placemats-Zoo

(Open modeling dough activity placemats-Zoo) Print and laminate. Let children pick a placemat and provide modeling dough. Encourage them to use the dough to fill or reproduce the shapes that are on their placemat.

NEW! String activities-Zoo

(Open string activities-Zoo) Print for each child. Children trace the lines with white glue and then position string along the lines, pressing it in the glue.  

NEW! Zoo animal hunt

(Open tiny zoo animals) Print, laminate, and cut out. Set the animals throughout your daycare. If you wish, this zoo animal hunt can also be done in your yard. Children search for the tiny animals and set them in a net or shovel to carry them back to you.

NEW! LEGO block zoo

(Open lego blocks-Zoo) Print for each child. Set a large bin filled with LEGO blocks on the table. Children pick a card and name the illustrated object or animal. They must find the Lego blocks that are required to reproduce the object or animal associated with the zoo theme, respecting the colors that are shown. If you do not have enough LEGO blocks, you can encourage children to work with a partner.

NEW! Educa-shape-Zoo

(Open educa-shape-Zoo) Print, laminate, and cut out the models as well as the small shapes. Children pick a model and find the shapes required to reproduce what is illustrated. Younger children can simply set the shapes directly on the image.

Giant giraffe
Cut a large giraffe outline out of white paper and set it on the floor. Using markers, draw colorful dots all over the giraffe’s body. Encourage children to name the colors as they work.

Stuffed animal safari
Hide stuffed animals in different rooms or outside. Give the children toy binoculars that they can use to search for and "observe" the animals.

Animal obstacle course
Create an obstacle course where children must crawl like a snake, jump like a kangaroo, or walk like an elephant. Use hula hoops, cushions, and tunnels to create obstacles.

Zookeeper role play
Give children accessories such as zookeeper hats, nets, and buckets. Encourage them to pretend to feed the animals, clean their enclosures, and care for sick animals.

Zoo animal puzzles
Use puzzles featuring zoo animals. Encourage children to assemble the pieces to complete the images.

Animal memory game
Create cards with images of zoo animals to play a memory game where children must find matching animals.

Animal treasure hunt
Hide small zoo animal figurines in a sandbox or rice bin. Give children small shovels and buckets end encourage them to dig out the hidden animals.

Animal guessing game
Imitate the sound or way of moving of a zoo animal and ask children to identify it. Once they have succeeded, encourage them to imitate the animal themselves before moving on to the next animal.

Create a miniature zoo
Use LEGO or construction blocks to build enclosures and structures related to the zoo. Add animal figurines to complete your zoo and let children play freely.

Animal race
Children run around the daycare or yard, imitating different zoo animals (such as a lion, an elephant, a giraffe, or a monkey). Each animal has a specific way of moving around. Children will therefore have to jump like a kangaroo, walk slowly like a turtle, etc.

Zoo obstacle course
Create an obstacle course representing different zoo habitats. Children must jump over "rocks" like lions, crawl under "branches" like snakes, and climb "trees" like monkeys.

Animal treasure hunt
Hide images or figurines representing animals in your play area and let children search for them using clues related to the animals’ habitats or characteristics.

Animal dance
Play music and ask children to dance like different zoo animals. Change animals every time the music changes to make the game dynamic and fun.

Animal relay race
Organize a relay race where each child must imitate a different animal when it’s their turn. For example, one child could run like a cheetah, another child could walk heavily like an elephant, etc.

Animal hide and seek
One child plays the role of the zookeeper and the others hide, pretending they are animals. The zookeeper must find and "capture" the animals by correctly identifying them.

Let’s mimic animals
Children form a circle. One child mimics a zoo animal and the others must guess the animal. The child who guesses correctly can mimic a different animal for the next round.

Zoo tag
One child plays the role of the hunter and the others are zoo animals. The hunter must touch an animal to capture it. The animals can escape if they make the sound of the animal they represent.

Turtle race
Children must move slowly like turtles while carrying an object on their back (ex. a small bean bag or cushion). The first child to reach the finish line without dropping his "shell" wins.

In the jungle, there are...
Have the children form a circle and assign a zoo animal to each of them (lion, zebra, elephant, giraffe, cheetah, gorilla, etc.). Stand in the middle of the circle and toss a scarf into the air while saying, "In the jungle, there are... (name an animal)". The child named must grab the scarf before it touches the floor and toss it into the air while naming another animal.

Puzzles
Find images of jungle or zoo animals (ex. greeting cards, calendar images, etc.) and cut them into two or three pieces using serrated scissors. Give each child a puzzle piece and hide the other pieces. Each child must find their missing pieces to complete their puzzle.

Giant giraffe
Gather brown and yellow blocks. With the children in your group, stack the blocks one on top of the other to represent a giraffe’s long neck. Continue until it topples over.

I am a panther
Place a balance beam in the center of the room and ask children to walk on it while imitating a panther and other big cats such as a lion, a tiger, a leopard, etc.

Big as.. small as…
Divide your group into 2 teams. Have both teams sit facing each other. Tell the first group to name large animals and the other group to name small animals. Have them speak using deep voices and high-pitched voices (ex. "I am as big as an elephant." and "I am as small as a mouse.").

Funny monkey antics
Choose one child to be the monkey. The others are gorillas. They lie on their side, eyes open, adopting a serious expression. The monkey walks around the gorillas, making funny faces. Anyone who laughs is eliminated. The last gorilla to laugh will become the monkey for the next round.

Monkey game
Monkeys jump from one branch to another. Have children practice various jumps, such as on one leg, with both feet together, big jumps, small jumps, etc. Repeat the jumping activity using burlap sacks or jump ropes.

Banana yellow
Ask your little monkeys to quickly collect yellow, banana-colored objects in the playroom and bring them to you, their "monkey mommy".

Follow the elephant
Children hold hands and follow the rhythm of the first child in line. Per their leader, they can walk slowly or quickly, heavily or lightly, on tiptoe, or even roll around in the mud to protect themselves from insects. Since elephants are used to transport people, ask a tall child to get on all fours and have a friend ride on their back, just like an elephant.

Monkeys follow the gorilla
Form a line with the gorilla at the front. The gorilla executes a variety of actions, and the monkeys must reproduce them. For example, the gorilla could jump, perform somersaults, raise its arms, crawl on all fours, clap its hands, spin around, slither on its stomach, etc.

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

NEW! Association puzzles-numbers-Zoo

(Open association puzzles-numbers-Zoo) Print, laminate, and cut each puzzle in half. Children have fun counting the objects and associating the correct number to each set to complete the puzzles.

NEW! Color by number-Zoo

(Open color by number-Zoo) Print for each child. Children must color the picture per the legend. 

NEW! Educ-shadows-Zoo
(Open educ-shadows-Zoo) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must draw a line between each animal and its shadow.

NEW! Educ-math-Zoo
(Open educ-math-Zoo) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must count the animals in each rectangle and circle the corresponding number.

NEW! Educ-same and different-Zoo
(Open educ-same and different-Zoo) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must circle the animal that is different in each row.

NEW! Hunt and seek-Zoo
(Open hunt and seek-Zoo) Print and laminate. Children must pick a card and search for the animal in the scene. 

NEW! Word game-Zoo

(Open word game-Zoo) Print, laminate, and cut out numerous letters. Give each child a small shovel. You will also need word flashcards. Using adhesive putty, press a word flashcard in each child’s shovel. Invite children to search for the letters needed to “write” their word. Once they have found all the letters, encourage them to arrange them in the correct order. Read their word with them.  

NEW! Patterns-Zoo

(Open patterns-Zoo) Print a worksheet for each child. Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. You will need stickers and bingo markers (primary colors). Children pick a card and use the stickers or markers to reproduce the illustrated pattern.

NEW! Spinner-Zoo

(Open spinner-Zoo) Print and laminate. Cut out the circles. You will need several copies of the circle containing a window. To assemble each spinner, set a circle with a window over an illustrated circle and insert a fastener in the center to hold them together. Children turn the spinners to see items appear in the window.  

NEW! Game-Four zoo animals

(Open game-Four zoo animals) Print, glue the cards on opaque paper, and cut them out. Arrange them face down on the floor or table (so that you can’t see the illustrations). Children take turns rolling a die. Every time a child rolls a “1”, he turns a card over and looks at it without showing the illustration to his peers. If he doesn’t already have this card in front of him, he sets it on the floor or table for everyone to see. The first child who has all 4 zoo animals wins. 

NEW! Assemble the zoo animals

(Open activity sheets-assemble the zoo animals) Print and laminate the zoo animals and cut each one along the dotted lines. Mix all the cards together. Children must find the pieces that go together and assemble the zoo animals.

NEW! Where do the animals live
(Open where do the animals live) Print and laminate the game. Using Velcro, children must associate the animals to their habitat.

NEW! Banana yellow
Ask children to collect as many items that are yellow like a banana as possible.

NEW! The giraffe
Give each child a measuring tape or ruler and have them measure items in your daycare. Encourage them to find the longest object and sort different objects per their length.

NEW! The giraffe’s neck
Giraffes have very long necks. This makes it possible for them to see things that are very far away. Ask children to name items that are very far from them. Set toys at different distances from your group and have fun comparing them, identifying items that are close and far.

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

NEW! Role play-Zoo 

(Open role play-Zoo) Print, laminate, and cut out the items to organize a zoo-themed role play activity. Delimit an area that will become your zoo and provide costumes and accessories such as a zookeeper hat, nets, and stuffed animals representing various zoo animals. Distribute roles. Some children will work at the zoo and others will be visitors. Scenarios can include feeding the animals, caring for sick animals, cleaning enclosures, etc. Encourage improvisation and interactions to stimulate children’s imagination and learning. At the end of the activity, discuss with your group. Let children tell you what they enjoyed (or not) to foster reflection and understanding.

NEW! Photo booth-Zoo
(Open photo booth-Zoo) Print the various accessories, cut them out, and glue a drinking straw behind each one. Purchase hats, scarves, glasses, etc. at your local dollar store. Create a zoo-themed décor using a large piece of cardboard or curtain. Invite children to pick the accessories they prefer and pose for you. You can take individual, group, or family photos. Print the pictures and display them on a wall for everyone to see.

NEW! The circle of friendly animals

You will need picures of animals or stuffed animals. Children sit in a circle and pick an animal. They take turns stating something kind or friendly about their chosen animal.

ARTS & CRAFTS

NEW! Puppets-Zoo
(Open puppets-Zoo) Print the puppet models on heavy cardboard. Have children cut them out and decorate them with various arts & crafts materials. They can press them on Popsicle sticks.  

NEW! Crumpled zoo animals
(Open models-Zoo animals) Print. Have children fill the shapes with glue and press crumpled pieces of tissue paper all over them. 

NEW! My spiral snake

Have children paint a paper plate. Once the paint is dry (next day), cut each child’s plate to represent a spiral. Children can draw a face on the tip of their spiral. Hang the snakes from the ceiling.

NEW! Our zoo map
On a large white paper banner, create an original zoo map with your group. Add trees, animals, different types of elevation, etc. Parents can help complete the map at the end of the day by adding details. 

NEW! My imaginary animal
Invite children to create an original animal, straight out of their imagination. They can use modeling dough or salt dough. Invite each child to present his animal to the group. They can share its name, what it eats, where it lives, etc.  

NEW! Am I an animal?
Encourage children to create a mask using a brown paper bag in which you have cut out holes for the eyes. Provide feathers, glitter, pipe cleaners, stickers, felt pieces, ribbon, etc. Children decorate their mask as they see fit. To complete the activity, children parade around the daycare to present their animal.

NEW! My zoo book
Cut pictures of a variety of zoo animals out of magazines, old books, etc. Glue them on pieces of paper measuring 10 cm x 13 cm and insert 2 pictures back-to-back in Ziploc bags. Staple the bags together to create a book. Use colorful adhesive tape to cover the staples.

NEW! Lion mask
Each child will need a painted paper plate. Help them remove the center of their plate. Have them glue small pieces of yellow and brown yarn all the way around the contour of their plate to represent a lion’s mane.

NEW! An elephant’s trunk
Each child paints a small paper plate with gray poster paint. Have them add 2 gray ears and glue wiggly eyes. Help them cut a hole in the center of the plate. Show children how they can insert their finger to represent their elephant’s trunk.

NEW! Elephant feet

With your group, mix black and white paint to obtain a gray color. Next, encourage children to paint the palms of their hands and press them on paper. Let dry and frame their elephant feet.

NEW! Giant giraffe
Press several brown paper bags on a wall to represent a long giraffe neck. Provide yellow and black poster paint and encourage children to add spots by pressing their finger in the paint and then on the bags.

NEW! Masks
(Open zoo animal masks) Print and trace the models on heavy cardboard. Children decorate the mask they prefer. 

NEW! Zebra
Draw a zebra outline on black paper for each child. Let children cut out their zebra and glue pieces of white yarn on it to represent its stripes.

NEW! Zebra drawing

Encourage children to represent a zebra using black paper and white chalk. 

NEW! Zebra stripe painting
Give each child a piece of white waxed paper. Have them press pieces of painter’s tape all over it. Have them paint all over their paper using black paint. Once the paint is dry, they can gently remove the tape to reveal zebra stripes.  

NEW! Finger puppets-Zoo animals

(Open finger puppets-Zoo annimals) Print the different puppet models on heavy paper. Have children cut them out and show them how they can insert their fingers in the holes to bring their puppets to life.    

COLORING PAGES

NEW! (Open coloring pages theme-Zoo animals) Print for each child.

NEW! Scrapbook-Zoo visit
Print this new scrapbook page for each child. (Open scrapbook-Zoo visit) Add it to their scrapbook once completed. 

Have fun!

The educatall team