The zoo is one of our favorite big day trips! Leading up to our zoo “field trip”, I put together a few activities and projects for the boys that went with our theme!
Pattern Snakes
I drew a few snakes onto a piece of paper and began some simple patterns using small colored stickers. I had Leo try to continue and complete these patterns. He needed some assistance, but that is totally ok! Exposure to higher level tasks is great-- as long as you give the appropriate support so as to not frustrate your child! (Teaching degree coming in the clutch there!)
Pattern Snakes
I drew a few snakes onto a piece of paper and began some simple patterns using small colored stickers. I had Leo try to continue and complete these patterns. He needed some assistance, but that is totally ok! Exposure to higher level tasks is great-- as long as you give the appropriate support so as to not frustrate your child! (Teaching degree coming in the clutch there!)
Bear/Lion Pom-Pom Painting
For this activity, I wanted to change up our method of painting so I found a few round pom-poms and put them in clothespins. This creates a little paint dabber or brush depending on how they decided to use it. I drew some quick outlines of a bear and a lion and then let the boys choose which animal they wanted to paint and then let them go at it! Quick & easy—though can get messy anytime you’ve got paint involved!
For this activity, I wanted to change up our method of painting so I found a few round pom-poms and put them in clothespins. This creates a little paint dabber or brush depending on how they decided to use it. I drew some quick outlines of a bear and a lion and then let the boys choose which animal they wanted to paint and then let them go at it! Quick & easy—though can get messy anytime you’ve got paint involved!
Zebra Stripes
As with many projects, this one didn’t quite go as planned but it is still a good concept I think! I wanted the boys to practice drawing lines (good writing practice) so I drew an outline of a zebra and gave them a black crayon to draw vertical lines inside of. Instead they just sort of scribbled as they saw fit, but that is ok! Projects and activities almost never go the way I had planned and I am learning to adapt and grow with that fact!
As with many projects, this one didn’t quite go as planned but it is still a good concept I think! I wanted the boys to practice drawing lines (good writing practice) so I drew an outline of a zebra and gave them a black crayon to draw vertical lines inside of. Instead they just sort of scribbled as they saw fit, but that is ok! Projects and activities almost never go the way I had planned and I am learning to adapt and grow with that fact!
Books
Another great way to prepare for a trip to the zoo is to read and discuss books about the zoo or about animals in general. Here are some ideas:
Another great way to prepare for a trip to the zoo is to read and discuss books about the zoo or about animals in general. Here are some ideas:
- 1,2,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
- Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
- The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
You can also do an art project or craft to go along with the story! Pinterest is always a great resource for coming up with ideas for crafts, but usually I’ll draw a character from the story and incorporate the kids names or letters or numbers. Connecting literacy to these fun adventures is ideal to build more interest!
Hope you enjoyed our zoo-tastic activities!
Until the next adventure!
#lifeofaboymom
Hope you enjoyed our zoo-tastic activities!
Until the next adventure!
#lifeofaboymom
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