15+ Cute Zoo Animal Crafts For Kids To Make

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Here are our favorite adorable zoo animal crafts for kids!

From wild animals  who live in the arctic and the jungle, this collection of fun animal crafts is perfect for the zoo animal lover!

zoo animal crafts for kids

Zoo Animal Crafts For Kids 

If you’re looking for fun and creative ways to keep the kids entertained, we’ve got you covered with these adorable zoo animal crafts for kids.

Today, we’re diving into the world of adorable zoo crafts that are not only easy to make but also a great way to teach kids about their favorite animals. 

From a paper plate lion to cardboard tube giraffes, these 15+ zoo-themed crafts will spark imagination and bring the wild kingdom right into your home or classroom. 

Whether you’re planning a birthday party at your local zoo or just looking for a rainy day activity that works on fine motor skills for young children, these easy zoo animal crafts are sure to keep little hands busy and inspired! 

Let’s make some cute animal crafts!

Are you a teacher? Incorporate some of these zoo crafts for kids into a larger zoo theme lesson plan or zoo animal themed unit. Or, use these colorful zoo animal crafts to decorate your bulletin board!

See also: free printable animal bingo

15+ Zoo Animal Crafts For Kids

Newspaper Penguin Craft

newspaper penguin craft

Create an adorable newspaper penguin craft using recycled materials—perfect for kids’ winter art projects and eco-friendly fun!

Head over to this post to get the free printable template you’ll need!

Mixed Media Giraffe Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

This fun and free printable giraffe craft is a perfect way to introduce kids to mixed media art while creating a lovable giraffe! 

The printable template features a simple outline of a giraffe’s body, head, and legs, allowing children to add their personal touch using a variety of materials like construction paper, felt, tissue paper, glitter etc.  (Via This Tiny Blue House)

Torn Paper Penguin Craft

torn paper penguin craft

This simple winter craft activity for children uses our free printable penguin template, construction paper, old newspaper, and glue.

The step-by-step instructions guide kids in creating an adorable penguin while developing fine motor skills. Head to this post to get your free template.

Newspaper Panda Craft

newspaper panda craft

Make a charming newspaper panda craft with recycled materials—an easy and fun activity for kids that promotes creativity and sustainability!

Head over to this post to get the free printable panda template you’ll need.

Penguin Craft

penguin crafts for kids
zoo animal crafts for kids

This adorable penguin craft is easy to make using our free printable template and colorful construction paper! 

Simply print out the penguin outline, and let kids cut and assemble their penguin by layering pieces of black, white, and orange construction paper. 

The black paper forms the penguin’s body and wings, while the white paper creates a cute belly and face. 

Children can use the orange paper to cut out a beak, feet, and a little bow tie for an extra touch of personality. 

Add googly eyes for a fun effect, or let the kids draw their own eyes and smile to make their penguin unique.

This craft is perfect for fine motor practice, color recognition, and is a fun way to learn about these adorable zoo animals! (Via This Tiny Blue House)

Newspaper Elephant Craft

newspaper elephant craft

This cute torn newspaper elephant craft is fun and easy to make making it a great choice for especially young kids.

Head over to this post to snag the free printable template you’ll need to make this craft.

Newspaper Koala Craft

koala crafts for kids

This newspaper koala craft is an easy and fun activity for kids that results in an irresistibly cute koala creation!

Head over to this post to get the free printable koala template you’ll need.

Paper Plate Elephant Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

This paper plate elephant craft is a fun activity for kids to learn about one of the most majestic animals in the zoo!  

It’s one of those fun zoo animal crafts kids of all ages will enjoy.

All you’ll need is the free template, paper plates, acrylic paint and googly eyes. (Via In The Bag Kids Crafts) 

Newspaper Zebra Craft

newspaper zebra craft

Get the free printable template for this zebra craft by visiting this post.

Newspaper Fox Craft

newspaper fox craft

Create an this adorable woodland fox using old newspaper, construction paper and glue.

Head over to this post to snag the free printable template you’ll need to make this craft.

Paper Plate Snakes

zoo animal crafts for kids

Create a slithering masterpiece with this fun and simple paper plate craft!

Using just a paper plate, bubble wrap, and some washable paint, kids can make a colorful, textured snake that twists and turns just like the real thing. (Via Crafty Morning)

Easy Lion Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids
zoo animal crafts for kids

Roar into creativity with this adorable Handprint Lion Craft! 

Perfect for little animal lovers, this fun and easy zoo animal craft uses kids’ handprints to create the lion’s body. 

A great craft for preschoolers and toddlers to explore their wild side while learning about one of their favorite zoo animals. (Via Made To Be Momma)

Newspaper Lion Craft

newspaper animal crafts

A cute newspaper lion craft made with old newspaper, construction paper and glue. Head to this post to snag a copy of the free template you’ll need to make this craft.

Zebra Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids
zoo animal crafts for kids

Transform ordinary cardboard tubes into a charming paper roll zebra craft that’s both simple and so much fun to make for little kids and older children alike!

Using a recycled cardboard tube, white paint and  cardstock paper to create the zebra’s stripes, kids can create their own adorable zebra friend. (Via Non Toy Gifts)

Paper Bag Monkey Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

Swing into crafting fun with this Paper Bag Monkey Craft! 

Perfect for kids, this simple and enjoyable preschool zoo craft transforms a plain paper bag into a playful monkey puppet. 

Add ears, a face, and a curly tail using construction paper, markers, and a glue stick. Then, let your little ones have some extra fun by bringing their little monkeys to life with some pretend play. (Via Craft Play Learn)

​Polar Bear Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

Create a frosty friend with this fun polar bear newspaper craft!

Using recycled newspaper, construction paper, and paint, kids can make this fun project while learning about arctic zoo animals. 

The newspaper adds a cool texture, and the simple design makes it perfect for little crafters.

Great for winter projects or a snowy day activity, these polar bears are a fun choice for older kids too! (Via I Heart Crafty Things)

Flamingo Craft

How cute is this flamingo craft idea? 

Using paper plates, felt, craft feathers, and paint, kids can create a bright and cheerful flamingo full of texture and personality.  (Via Artsy Craftsy Mom)

Hippopotamus Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

Easy and fun for kids, this craft uses a paper plate, paint, and a few simple decorations to create a lovable hippo.

Perfect for animal-themed activities or a creative afternoon project learning about this beloved zoo animal. (Via Easy Peasy and Fun)

Panda Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

This paper plate panda craft is one of our favorite zoo crafts for kids! 

Using a simple paper plate, and a few basic supplies, little ones can create their very own cuddly panda. 

It’s an easy, fun, and engaging craft that’s great for zoo animal-themed lessons or a creative afternoon learning about different zoo animals. (Via Raise Curious Kids)

Koala Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

Create a cuddly koala with this easy koala handprint craft! 

Perfect for kids who are fascinated by these adorable zoo animals, these easy crafts use a handprint to form the koala’s body. (Via Simple Everyday Mom)

​Paper Plate Tiger Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

A fun and engaging zoo animal craft for kids, this easy project uses a paper plate, paint, and a few simple supplies to create a fierce but adorable tiger with it’s characteristic black stripes. 

Perfect for animal-themed activities, it’s an excellent way to keep little crafters entertained while learning about different animals that live in the jungle! (Via Little Ladoo)

Coffee Filter Peacock Craft

Create a stunning peacock with this easy and colorful peacock craft! 

Using a coffee filter, clothespin, and washable markers, kids can design a beautiful, vibrant tail by coloring the coffee filter and then attaching it to the clothespin for a simple peacock zoo animal craft. 

Use googly eyes to really make this craft come to life! (Via Darcy and Brian) 

Popsicle Stick Crocodile Craft

Using popsicle sticks, paint, and a few simple supplies, kids can create their very own crafty crocodile. 

With a fun, interactive design, this project lets little ones bring their wild imagination to life while making a scaly friend.

Perfect for jungle, zoo, or animal-themed activities! (Via Arty Crafty Kids)

Camel Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids

Create a fun and textured torn paper camel craft! 

Using torn pieces of paper, kids can build a cute camel by layering the paper to form its body and features.

This simple and creative craft is perfect for little hands and great for desert or zoo animal themes! (Via DLTK Sites For Kids)

Black Bear Craft

zoo animal crafts for kids
zoo animal crafts for kids

Create a fun and furry fork painted black bear craft!

Using a fork and black paint, kids can easily make the textured fur of a cute black bear. 

This simple craft is perfect for little hands and great for zoo animal-themed projects or nature-inspired fun! (Via Glued To My Crafts Blog)

Recommended Reading

We love to read!

In fact, reading is one of our favorite screen free activities.

It’s so much fun and a great way to encourage children to learn about the world around them by building on language and critical thinking skills. Plus, it encourages them to develop a love of books!

We make it a point to pair all our screen free activities with some of our favorite books!

From free printables and games to kids crafts – we do our very best to recommend some books to our readers that make screen free play even more engaging.

Here are some of our favorite zoo animal themed book ideas that pair wonderfully with these zoo animal crafts for kids.

zoo animal books for kids
  1. The View At The Zoo
  2. The Animal Book: A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth
  3. The Explorer My Animals Habitats
  4. A Giraffe in the Forest

Before You Go

We had an awesome time rounding up all these adorable creatures for you today! All these favorite zoo animal crafts are a great time for kids in preschool and early primary school.

Are you planning to make any of these animal art projects? If so, we’d love to see the finished product! 

Snap a photo of your completed zoo crafts for kids and reach out to us on social media! We love sharing our reader creations with our followers!

More Animal Crafts For Kids

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zoo animal crafts for kids

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