Toilet Paper Roll Zoo Animals
Animal crafts are always a big hit with kids, and there are some pretty awesome toilet paper roll zoo animals you can make together.
I’ve searched high and low for some great ideas to get you started. From lions and tigers to monkeys and bears, these crafts are sure to engage your animal loving kiddos.
Gather some empty cardboard tubes and some craft supplies, and you’re all set to add a craft or two to your zoo activities for preschoolers.
Toilet Paper Roll Zoo Animals
Is your preschooler fascinated with lions, tigers, and bears? Let them choose their favorite toilet paper roll craft from the list below.
This list is perfect for preschool teachers, children's librarians, and homeschool parents.
I've never met a child who didn't love monkeys at the zoo. Watching them swing and chatter is so much fun for everyone.
This toilet paper roll monkey craft includes a free printable template which will make it a breeze to assemble.
These cardboard tube polar bears are simple to make. Kids will love drawing the paws and rosy cheeks on their finished bear craft.
If your zoo has parrots, your kids will love these brightly colored cardboard tube parrots.
The brightly colored feathers give this craft a totally tropical vibe.
With so many adorable animals living in the zoo, why should your preschooler choose just one to make?
Follow this tutorial to learn how to make an elephant, a monkey, and a snake. Add a few trees, and your little ones can make their own zoo habitat.
This elephant is simple, and can be customized in your preschooler's favorite color.
Add some google eyes to create a zany expression on your elephant's face.
The expression on this cardboard tube monkey's face is sure to elicit a giggle (or two) from your little ones.
This adorable lion craft is sure to be a hit with your preschoolers! They're going to love creating the pipe cleaner mane, and you'll love that your little ones are strengthening their motor skills while they make it.
My grandson loves seeing the polar bear swimming at our local zoo. I know he'll love this fuzzy polar bear craft.
However, your kids can choose from four animals - penguin, owl, polar bear, and fox.
Your little ones will likely need help cutting the cardboard tube into a tiger shape.
But, they'll love painting the tiger orange and adding stripes all on their own.
With free printable templates, your preschoolers can choose a cut and paste version or a version they color on their own.
Either way, they'll beg to make more than one of these adorable penguins.
BOOKS ABOUT ZOO ANIMALS
Below, I’ve featured just a handful of preschool books about zoo animals that will help your preschoolers learn more about the animals that live in a zoo.
You should be able to find them at your local library or bookstore. If you can’t find them locally, you can click each image cover to purchase them on Amazon.
Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giraffes Can’t Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.
How the Zebra Got Its Stripes – As a group of African animals hang out at the local watering hole, they share funny stories about how the zebra got its stripes. At the end of the book, fun facts explain why zebras really have stripes.
Zoo Animals – As children page through this beautiful book, they will learn the names of many animals they meet at the zoo! Each page offers a short description of the featured animal and its habitat.
Zoo Animals Ideas for Kids
Add some plastic zoo animal figures to your pretend play area for kids to explore. They’ll have so much fun using them to act out zoo books or other imaginative play scenarios.
Read Do You Know Hank the Hippo, and let your preschoolers act out the story with an adorable crocheted hippo toy.
Set up a zoo animals sensory bin with this kit! Filled with a mixture of textures, bright and vibrant colors, this kit will let your little one explore for hours.