Things to Learn at the Zoo

Depending on how your zoo is arranged --
by continent, or by types of animals --
you could have the older children do some comparisons.
Similarities/differences between large cats of different areas.
Similarities/differences of monkeys/chimps, etc.
Tallest and shortest animal?
Giraffe and snake, probably.
Biggest/fattest and thinnest animal?
Elephant or hippo and . . . . ??
Do they have a petting zoo.
A good opportunity to explain to the kids why some animals
are OK/safe to get near and others are not.
Have fun!!
S.

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you can write a-z and have them find an animal that begins with each letter :) have fun! i love going to the zoo with my little ones :)

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They can classify the animals based on similarities of their feet: Which have hooves like pigs, which have hooves like horses, which have feet like rabbits, which have paws, which are webbed (for swimming), which have digits/fingers, etc.

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For my student teaching I did a unit on mammals the kids loved learning about mammals! On Wednesday go over the characteristics of mammals and have the kids categorize what animals are mammals according to the characteristics they see...have fun!

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You can incorporate math for the old kids (count each of x, y and z then add the all up). Colors and sizes for the younger children - what animal is most like an oval. Find and animal that is brown. This can be part of the not so structured time so they are looking at the animals at their own pace, but have to fill in some type of chart. There could be a reward at the end (weather or not they completed the entire thing).

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I used to work at a zoo in Florida and we had an educational dept. They have programs for all ages. Also, certain days there were enrichments. For example, special snacks and toys for the animals. Once a year, the hospital and Red Cross would put casts on kids stuffed animals that they brought in and talk about health issues. Throughout the zoo, there should be signs with interesting information as well. If you check at the front desk/guest services, they may even have a list of the animal's names. Don't feel bad about asking employees questions. We loved sharing info with our guests to make their visit an enjoyable and educational one. Hope this helps.

For $2.50, you can also buy a zoo key. Then you can listen to facts and a fun song about the animals (in English, Spanish and French). My kids like this a lot.

Check out to see whether the zoo has feeding times or if they have any farm in the zoo areas, cow milking. Also find out about animal discussions. At Brookfield Zoo, they have set times for talking about a specific animal and they also list the feeding times for some animals.