EYFS animal workshop at the Zoo

In this educational workshop at the Zoo for EYFS students, students will role-play as zoologists to investigate real objects from the natural world. Students will use scientific equipment to make simple measurements and observations about objects to identify familiar zoo animals.

Many objects from the natural world used in this session are loaned to us by HM Revenue and Customs.

Please be aware that though we aim to use a live animal in this session, we do not guarantee that they will be present – animals can fall ill or be unwilling to be handled and their welfare is ZSL’s first priority. 

Age: EYFS Duration: 30 minutes Capacity: 35 students Indoor Session

Intended Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to:

  • Use inquiry skills to identify familiar zoo animals
  • Choose and handle tools and equipment appropriately to investigate objects from the natural world
  • Work cooperatively and take turns in investigating the different objects from the natural world

Early Years Framework links:

Understanding the world Communication and Language Literacy
The world

Listening and attention

Understanding

Reading

Online Resources:

  • An African wild dog at Whipsnade Zoo shows her teeth
    Experience the animal savannah

    EYFS African Animal Storytime

    A lively and interactive workshop where children are transported to the African savannah through immersive story-telling. Along their journey, children learn more about a range of the zoo's animals and their natural habitats.

  • A butterfly on a leaf at Whipsnade Zoo
    Understanding butterfly lifecycles

    EYFS Lifecycles

    Using costumes and role play to create and act out a butterfly lifecycle, before being led on a tour of our butterfly house where your children will have the chance to reinforce their learning by searching for the real-life stages of a butterfly lifecycle

  • Hordor the common hippo baby with mum Lola walking along grass at Whipsnade Zoo
    Bringing the Zoo to life

    Animal Storytime EYFS workshop

    Children will be invited to listen and join in as we tell a story all about animals they can see at the zoo. They will be encouraged to count the different animals we talk about and make the noises of these animals.