Going to the zoo can be more than just visiting the animals. Watching, listening, feeding, and meeting a variety of the earth’s amazing creatures are sure to create a spark or two of curiosity in young minds. Learning about birds, mammals, reptiles, and other types of animals can introduce a whole new world to discover for children. To encourage education while having fun and being creative, here are a few favorite zoo crafts for kids.
5 Zoo Crafts for Kids
Lion Masks
Supplies:
- Paper Plates
- Glue
- Tissue Paper
- Craft Sticks
Instructions:
Cut out the center of the paper plate. Glue a craft stick on to the bottom of the plate (this is how the children will hold up the mask to look through). Provide each child with a blank mask that was just made, glue and tissue paper to create the mane of the lion. Give preschoolers the option of different colored tissue paper for their lion’s mane. When early learners are ready, they can begin gluing individual pieces of tissue paper all around the paper plate. The tissue can be glued on flat, in a crumpled ball, or from the center. Giving toddlers the freedom to design a lion mask from their imagination will allow them to explore their own individuality and creativity.
Arm Giraffe
Supplies:
- Craft Paper
- Marker
- Finger Paints
- Wiggly Eyes (optional)
Instructions:
Have a student lay their hand (leaving their thumb tucked in) and forearm flat on a piece of craft paper and trace it with a marker. This will be the outline of the giraffe (neck, ears, and antlers). Put out the finger paints, and let children go to town choosing whatever colors they would like their giraffe to be. Once the paint has dried, wiggly eyes can be adhered or simply drawn on. When the giraffes are complete, hang up for display so everyone can enjoy their masterpieces.
Sock Seals
Supplies:
- White Socks (child size)
- Polyester Stuffing
- Rubber Bands
- Craft Glue
- Wiggly Eyes
- Brown or Black Pom-Poms
- Brown or Black Yarn
- White Felt
Instructions:
Begin by stuffing a sock with the polyester stuffing, and then tie closed with a rubber band. Using the seam of the sock as the mouth of the seal, glue on a pom-pom for the nose, a few pieces of yarn for the whiskers, and a pair of wiggly eyes. For the final touch, glue on a flipper (pre-cut from the white felt) to each side of the seal. Preschoolers will enjoy hours of pretend play and imaginary interaction with their new harp seal friends.
Hand Elephants
Supplies:
- White Craft Paper
- Grey Finger Paint
- Black Marker
- Scissors
- Colored Construction Paper
Instructions:
Help children paint one or both of their hands grey and then press onto white paper. After the paint has dried, cut out the handprint with the scissors. Flip the hand upside-down and glue onto colored construction paper. With the thumb as the trunk, children can then draw eyes, ears, and a tail. Proudly display these works of art!
Bird Puppet
Supplies:
- Craft Glue
- Foam
- Feathers
- Brown Paper Bag (lunch size)
- Wiggly Eyes
Instructions:
With the bag upside down and the bottom facing up, have preschoolers glue feathers onto the bag (on the top and on the sides). Then glue on wiggly eyes and a beak (cut out of foam). Once completely dry, children have a fun new hand puppet for story telling adventures that they have created themselves!