Wild and Fun Zoo Animal Crafts for Kids

Zoo animal crafts for kids are a fun and creative way to keep little hands busy while sparking curiosity about the animal kingdom. These hands-on activities allow children to make lions, elephants, monkeys, and more—all using simple craft supplies. Whether at home or school, kids love turning paper and glue into their favorite zoo animals.

Zoo Animal Crafts for Kids

Zoo animal crafts for kids are fun, hands-on activities that let children create their favorite animals. They’re perfect for learning about wildlife while boosting creativity and motor skills.

Paper Plate Lion Mask

Kids will love making this roaring lion using just a paper plate and a few craft supplies. It’s a great way to teach them about lions while practicing cutting and coloring skills. They can even use it for pretend play afterward. This craft is fun, simple, and perfect for both classrooms and home.

• Cut out the center of a paper plate to create the mask frame

• Use yellow and orange paper strips or yarn for the mane

• Attach a popsicle stick as a handle or punch holes to add string for wearing

• Add googly eyes and draw a nose and mouth for detail

• Let kids roar like a lion and act out jungle scenes

Toilet Paper Roll Elephant

Transform a simple toilet paper roll into a cute elephant with big ears and a trunk. This eco-friendly craft is great for teaching kids about recycling and animal features. It also helps improve their fine motor skills through painting and cutting. Kids can create an entire elephant family with just a few materials.

• Paint the toilet paper roll gray and let it dry

• Cut out large ears from gray paper and glue them to the sides

• Roll up a strip of paper for the trunk and attach it to the front

• Use googly eyes or draw eyes with a marker

• Encourage kids to make sounds or walk their elephants around

Handprint Tiger Craft

This craft lets kids use their own handprints to form a tiger’s body. It’s a fun and personal project that connects art with learning about big cats. It also helps young children recognize animal patterns like stripes. Parents and teachers can use this craft to discuss wild animals and their habitats.

• Paint the child’s hand with orange paint and press onto paper

• Once dry, use black paint or marker to add stripes

• Draw or glue on a face, tail, and paws

• Add googly eyes or draw expressive eyes

• Label the picture and display it as part of a jungle wall

Paper Tube Giraffe

A tall and colorful giraffe made from a paper tube is a perfect zoo craft. Kids will enjoy painting and decorating this long-necked animal while learning interesting facts about giraffes. It’s ideal for practicing vertical design and pattern work too.

• Paint the tube yellow and let dry

• Cut out and glue on brown spots using paper or a marker

• Add a long neck using extra cardboard or paper roll

• Glue a paper head with ears, horns, and eyes

• Use pipe cleaners or straws for movable legs

Clothespin Monkey

This playful monkey craft uses clothespins to let the monkey hang or clip to objects. It’s an engaging way to work on finger strength and coordination while crafting. Great for jungle themes or playful storytime crafts.

• Cut a monkey body shape from brown paper or foam

• Glue the body onto two clothespins for arms

• Add googly eyes, tail, and facial features

• Clip it onto a string or stick for hanging fun

• Encourage storytelling or puppet play using the monkeys

Zebra Paper Craft

Make a cute striped zebra using black and white paper. This craft is perfect for introducing kids to pattern recognition and animal coloring. It’s simple but effective and helps kids learn about zebras and their habitats.

• Cut out zebra body shapes from white paper

• Add black stripes using markers or cut paper strips

• Glue on a mane, tail, and ears

• Use googly eyes or draw the eyes with a pen

• Create a group of zebras and compare patterns

Flamingo Handprint Art

Bright pink flamingos made from handprints are a hit with younger kids. This colorful craft teaches kids about tropical birds while using their hands to form the flamingo’s body. It’s perfect for spring or summer zoo themes.

• Paint the child’s hand pink and press it on paper

• Add a long neck, beak, and legs using colored markers

• Glue on feathers for a 3D effect if desired

• Draw water or tropical plants for a background

• Talk about where flamingos live and what they eat

Crocodile Egg Carton Craft

A bumpy, green crocodile is easy to make using an old egg carton. This craft focuses on texture and shape while helping kids understand reptiles. It’s great for group activities or reptile lessons.

• Cut out a row of egg cups from the carton

• Paint the carton green and let it dry

• Add googly eyes and jagged teeth using white paper

• Use a pipe cleaner or cardboard for the tail

• Discuss where crocodiles live and how they hunt

Paper Bag Elephant Puppet

Turn a plain paper bag into an adorable elephant puppet for storytelling fun. This interactive craft is great for enhancing imagination while learning about animal features. It can also be used in mini puppet shows.

• Use gray paper to create big floppy ears and trunk

• Glue the ears to the sides of the paper bag

• Add eyes and facial details on the flap

• Let kids name their elephant and create a story

• Decorate the elephant with glitter or stickers for fun

Popsicle Stick Giraffe

Popsicle sticks make a strong base for this creative giraffe craft. It’s a great way to build crafting confidence while making a tall and friendly zoo animal. This is also a good team craft for small groups.

• Glue sticks together to form the giraffe’s long body and neck

• Paint the sticks yellow and add brown spots

• Add paper or foam for the face, ears, and horns

• Glue on googly eyes and a paper tail

• Stand the giraffe in a box zoo or use it as a puppet

Parrot on a Perch

Bright and bold parrots are always a fun zoo craft. Kids can learn about tropical birds and colors while making a perched parrot using simple materials. This is a vibrant craft that also helps with cutting and gluing skills.

• Cut out parrot shapes from colorful paper

• Glue feathers or paper strips for the wings and tail

• Attach the parrot to a craft stick or straw perch

• Add a googly eye and a curved paper beak

• Create a background of jungle leaves or a cage

Snake Paper Chain

This easy paper chain snake teaches kids about patterns, shapes, and repetition. It’s a fun way to make a wiggly reptile that can slither across tables or walls. It’s perfect for preschoolers and younger children.

• Cut strips of green paper and make chain links

• Alternate colors for a pattern effect

• Add a snake head with eyes and a red forked tongue

• Draw or glue on scale textures

• Use as decoration or part of a jungle display

Jungle Animal Collage

This collage lets kids combine different zoo animals into one big jungle scene. It’s a creative group activity that encourages teamwork and storytelling. It’s also great for showcasing different textures and craft methods.

• Provide animal cutouts or let kids draw their own

• Use tissue paper, leaves, and cotton for background textures

• Glue animals onto a large poster or cardboard

• Add labels or fun facts about each animal

• Hang up the collage as a classroom display

Painted Stone Hippos

Smooth stones make the perfect shape for little hippos. This craft is great for sensory play and painting practice. Kids love turning a rock into a zoo friend, and they can even use them as paperweights.

• Choose flat, round stones for best shape

• Paint the stone gray or purple and let dry

• Add facial features with paint or markers

• Glue on tiny ears made of paper or foam

• Use in a pretend zoo setup or as pet rocks

Zoo Diorama

Create a mini zoo in a box using animal crafts and decorations. This project is perfect for older kids who enjoy detailed work. It’s great for combining science, art, and creativity in one fun craft.

• Use a shoebox as the base and decorate with paper grass and trees

• Add small animal figures or craft your own from paper

• Label each enclosure and habitat

• Include signs, paths, and visitor benches

• Present the diorama to family or classmates with fun facts

Tips for Crafting with Kids

Crafting with kids is a joyful and rewarding experience, but a little planning goes a long way in keeping things fun, safe, and creative. Whether you’re doing zoo animal crafts at home or in a classroom, these tips will help make the activity smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

• Age-appropriate supervision with scissors and glue
  Always watch younger children closely when using scissors or glue. Use child-safe scissors and consider glue sticks over liquid glue to avoid mess and accidents.

• Use washable, non-toxic supplies
  Choose kid-friendly materials like washable markers, non-toxic paint, and glue. This ensures safety and makes clean-up much easier, especially with little ones.

• Prepare materials ahead for group activities
  Cut out shapes, sort supplies, and set up craft stations in advance to save time and reduce waiting. This helps kids stay focused and excited to start crafting.

• Encourage creativity—let animals be colorful and unique
  Don’t worry about perfect results. Let children use their imagination to choose wild colors and fun designs. It’s about creativity, not accuracy!

• Create a display or mini zoo at home or class
  Showcase the finished crafts on a wall, table, or shelf. Creating a mini zoo display boosts kids’ pride in their work and adds a fun theme to the space.

FAQ

What age group are Zoo animal crafts for kids suitable for?

Zoo animal crafts are great for kids ages 3 to 10. Younger children can enjoy simple crafts like handprints or paper plate animals, while older kids can handle more detailed projects like dioramas or paper tube animals.

What materials do I need for zoo animal crafts?

Basic supplies include paper, scissors, glue, paint, crayons, googly eyes, and recycled items like toilet paper rolls and egg cartons. Optional extras like feathers, yarn, and pipe cleaners can add fun textures.

Are these crafts safe for toddlers?

Yes, with adult supervision. Use toddler-safe scissors, non-toxic glue, and washable paints. Choose simple crafts without small parts that could be choking hazards.

Can I use these crafts for classroom activities or parties?

Absolutely! These crafts are perfect for classrooms, zoo-themed birthday parties, or playdates. Preparing materials ahead of time makes group crafting easier and more fun.