From jungle animal artwork to learning all the names of jungle animals, preschool children love learning about them! There are so many different themes and lessons out there all about jungles. But finding reasonable lessons that are simple to set up and also at the right age level can be challenging.
If you're looking for jungle preschool lessons, you've come to the right place! Here are 30 resources for preschool classrooms everywhere, focusing solely on jungles and child development.
1. Pattern Snake
Patterns are super important throughout early education. Finding pattern lesson ideas can be tricky when it comes to sticking to a jungle theme. But look no further! This adorable pattern will be the perfect snake craft for any classroom.
Learn more: Alphabet Garden Preschool
2. Blue Morpho Butterflies
Reading before creating is a surefire way to get your kiddos to gain a deeper understanding of those amazing preschool crafts you've spent hours creating. The Facts About Blue Morpho Butterflies book is a great read to follow up with a butterfly painting activity.
Learn more: Linley Shea
3. Jungle Play
Do you have all kinds of jungle animals lying around? There's no better way to use them than setting up a jungle play area! Simply get some fake plants, some wood (have your students collect their own sticks), and some leaves! This will surely open your student's imagination.
Learn more: Industrious Inquiry
4. Jungle Giraffes & Math
Integrating jungle animal activities into your curriculum isn't easy. Thankfully, @alphabetgardenpreschool has provided us with this dice game that preschool children will love! Simply roll the dice and color in that many dots on the giraffe.
Learn more: Alphabet Garden Preschool
5. Dramatic Play
Dramatic play is a classic preschool activity. Support your student's creativity and sense of personality by setting up an African safari directly in the classroom. It can be as simple or as complex as you'd like. Let students' imaginations run wild after a jungle-themed storytime.
Learn more: Alphabet Graden Preschool
6. Jungle Bulletin Board
One of the best ways to decorate any classroom is with student artwork! Have students draw their own interpretations of wild jungle animals, and soon your classroom will be fully decorated with some of the cutest jungle animals you've ever seen.
Learn more: Alphabet Garden Preschool
7. Student Jungle Animals
Turn your student's into jungle animals! Using construction paper, paper plates, or any materials around the classroom help transform your students into their favorite jungle animals. They'll have so much fun not only creating their jungle drawing but also acting as their animals.
Learn more: St. Stanislaus Kostka School
8. Safari Day
Simple and easy, take your students out on a safari adventure! Hide animals all around the school or outdoor area. Students can even dress up like real safari workers and use binoculars and whatever other cool jungle toys you may have!
Learn more: Close to Home Childcare Center and Preschool
9. Jungle Sensory Bin
Some of the most fun preschool activities are sensory bins! These bins are not only engaging but also a form of relaxation for students (and adults). Set your students up with buckets of safari animals and have them clean and play with the animals.
10. Jungle Matching
Have your students match the cards of different jungle animals. They'll love being able to off their matching skills while also learning about different animals. This is the perfect activity for stations.
Learn more: Little Stars Day Nursery
11. Habitat Sort
Habitat sorts are an amazing activity for students who may need to be challenged! If you're working with stations, this is the perfect activity. It could also be used as a fast finishers activity. If you're not looking to create puzzle pieces, this free pdf download is another great option!
Learn more: Chelsea Wood
12. Animal Dressup
If you have the resources or are good at sewing, animal dress-up might be your student's favorite aspect of the jungle lessons! You could even use these outfits to put on a little play for other students or for parents.
Learn more: Pied Piper Preschool
13. Paper Plate Jungle Animals
@madetobeakid How cute are these Paper Plate Jungle Animals?? #preschoolideas #kidscrafts #kidsactivities #easycrafts #summercrafts #craftsforkids ♬ original sound - Katie Wyllie
Classic plate creations never get old! It's super easy and fun to create these animal plates with googly eyes and paint. You could also use this template if you don't have the time or materials to create an adorable paper plate craft like the one pictured below.
Learn more: Made to be a Kid
14. Splash Pad Jungle Play
@madetobeakid How cute are these Paper Plate Jungle Animals?? #preschoolideas #kidscrafts #kidsactivities #easycrafts #summercrafts #craftsforkids ♬ original sound - Katie Wyllie
I love the idea of this, and if summer didn't just come to an end in my area, I would have set this up for my preschooler. Creating their very own jungle on the splash pad will keep them occupied while also helping to unleash their creative side.
Learn more: Tinker Wonder Play
15. Jello Jungle Animals
Do your kids love digging in jello? It may be messy, but it's beneficial to building those fine motor skills. Try using utensils to get them out rather than hands as an added challenge. It's really simple to hide the animals inside the Jello, and students will be super excited to get messy.
Learn more: Melanie Burke 25
16. Jungle Creations
I loved these little jungle flap books. They're great because they're a huge practice for your students cutting skills. They'll love using their hand-eye coordination to cut and glue these pictures onto the construction paper and cutting along the lines to create the grass.
Learn more: 2 Motivated Moms
17. Jungle Corn Hole
@learamorales It turned out better than I was expecting 🤷🏽♀️ #daycaregames #diyproject #toddlers #preschool #prek #teachercrafts #jungleweek #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Adam Wright
This is perfect for both preschool and kindergarten activities! Make it on sturdy boards, as this can be used year after year for a jungle-themed unit. Your students will love the challenge, and you'll love seeing the focus, determination, and concentration coming from them.
Learn more: Leara Morales
18. Lights Out, Flash Light On
@jamtimeplay Fun with flashlights in today’s jungle themed class #toddlerteacher #preschoolteacher #flashlight #kids #jungletheme ♬ The Bare Necessities (From "The jungle Book") - Just Kids
This is such a simple activity and an absolute blast. Perfect for those winter days of being stuck inside. Print pictures of jungle animals and hide them throughout the house or classroom. Turn out the lights and help your little ones to explore.
Learn more: Jam Time Play
19. Jungle Juice
Create your very own classroom jungle juice! This is something your students will be talking about forever. Not only do they get to decorate their very own play area, but they also get to practice pouring and playing with different animals in the juice.
Learn more: Bumps a Daisies Nursery
20. Create a Jungle Book
@deztawn My Pre-K class wrote and illustrated their own book!! #teacher #theawesomejungle #fyp ♬ original sound - dezandtawn
This is such a cute idea. Creating stories is super beneficial for learning how to express oneself in early childhood. Have your students create their very own jungle book. It's simple and only requires students to draw pictures and chat about a story!
Learn more: Dez Tawn
21. Jungle Slime
@mssaraprek ABC Countdown Letter J Jungle Slime#teacherlife #teachersoftiktok #abccountdown #preschool ♬ Rugrats - The Hit Crew
A day of slime makes for a pretty good day. Have your students play with their jungle animals right in the slime! They'll absolutely love mushing and squishing the animals and their hands all over the slime.
Learn more: Ms. Sara Prek
22. Jungle Birds
In the preschool we are in the jungle🐒and activities include making snakes and spiders! On Thursday our Nursery are visiting Skyswood School’s environmental garden and our sounds are p-t pic.twitter.com/Y0Cd1upRaQ
— Caroline Upton (@busybeesweb) June 24, 2018
These are super cute! My preschoolers used to LOVE it when I broke out the feathers. They knew we were about to make something fuzzy and fun. These cute birds will be perfect for a bulletin board that focuses on birds of the jungle.
Learn more: Caroline Uptown
23. Wildlife Veterinarian Practice
Looking for a new experience for your youngsters? Check out our Jungle Juniors Preschool Program! The program provides hands-on activities for kids looking to discover and learn about the world! Spaces are limited, so be sure to register now! → https://t.co/yOxFIv3N4Q pic.twitter.com/ELx5wqVYcj
— Indianapolis Zoo (@IndianapolisZoo) August 26, 2021
Kids love playing veterinarian, but sometimes you've gotta switch it up a bit! This video is a great way to motivate your kiddos and prepare them to help their jungle friends. Working together to save all of the animals throughout the safari.
Learn more: Indianapolis Zoo
24. Is It A Jungle Animal?
This weeks preschool theme is about the jungle, rainforest and safari! 🦁🐒🐘 pic.twitter.com/lDlgBjD1t5
— milf lynn 🐸💗 (@lynnosaurus_) February 28, 2022
Jungle animal or not? This may be a bit more complicated for some kiddos, so it might be the perfect time for teamwork. If you're planning to do some activities in teams or partners, then this might be one to add to the list.
Learn more: Milf Lynn
25. Jungle Tangrams
Who doesn't love tangrams? Students are never too young to create an animal out of them. This will provoke students' critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. Perfect for early childhood and sticking to that jungle theme. Worksheet planet provides free printables for all!
Learn more: Twitter
26. Walking in the Jungle
Walking in the jungle is a great song to help students learn about all of the different animals. Focusing on both physical motion and songs, it will be simple for your students to memorize the different animals along with the sounds they make.
Learn more: Super Simple Songs - Kids Songs
27. Party in the Jungle
Ready for a party? Brain breaks are some of the best aspects of the day, especially when they are actually education. Jack Hartmann has some amazing simple songs for students, and this one definitely doesn't lag behind. Check it out and bring a jungle party into your classroom.
Learn more: Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel
28. Guess the Animal
Can your students guess the animal? This may be a bit more complicated, but it will be a great way to get your students to brainstorm based solely on sound. There is a shadow picture provided to help younger students recognize the animal. But you can make the screen dark to avoid students seeing the picture.
Learn more: BluPhant Kids TV
29. Jungle Freeze Dance
Using different motions of safari animals, this freeze dance is a perfect way to get your kiddos up and moving. Everyone loves freeze dance, but this has a different spin and will be engaging and filled with endless laughter from your little ones.
Learn more: The Kiboomers - Kids Music Channel
30. What Am I?
Riddles... for preschoolers?? It's not as crazy as it sounds. I have a few preschoolers who would love to guess these riddles. Reading through the clues, along with getting students to picture the clues in their minds, will help them quickly figure out which animal it is.
Pro tip: Print out some pictures to go along with the clues to help students
Learn more: Kuizzes
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