**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with World Giraffe Day. World Giraffe Day is an annual celebration initiated by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). It is observed on June 21st, the longest day or night of the year, to recognise the giraffe as the world's tallest land mammal. The day aims to raise global awareness about the challenges giraffes face in the wild and to raise funds for conservation efforts. The GCF works tirelessly to ensure a future for wild giraffes in Africa. For official information and details, please visit the Giraffe Conservation Foundation website: www.giraffeconservation.org/world-giraffe-day.
Sunday 21st June 2026
Understanding World Giraffe Day in EYFS & KS1
Let's look up to the tallest animal on Earth for World Giraffe Day! 🦒🌍🌿
For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a wonderfully exciting and crucial theme for exploring animals, habitats, conservation, height and measurement, and understanding the world. It's about inspiring children with a love for wildlife, teaching them about the importance of protecting endangered animals, and helping them understand the role of organisations like the GCF. This day offers fantastic planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities & invitations that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about nature, science, and empathy wonderfully fun!
Why Is Learning About Giraffes Valuable for Young Children?
Integrating World Giraffe Day and themes of wildlife and conservation into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) is a fun way to build a connection to the natural world and promoting a sense of global citizenship.
Fosters Empathy for Animals: Helps children connect with a specific, beloved animal and understand its unique needs.
Introduces Conservation Concepts: Explains, in an age-appropriate way, the importance of protecting animals and their habitats.
Develops Awareness of Biodiversity: Highlights the variety of life on Earth and the reasons why some species are at risk.
Enhances Observational Skills: Encourages children to look closely at animal features, patterns, and behaviour.
Sparks Creativity and Curiosity: Giraffes are visually unique, inspiring children to explore art, movement, and imaginative play.
Engaging Giraffe & Animal Activities for World Giraffe Day (EYFS & KS1)
Let's celebrate World Giraffe Day by exploring one of the world's most recognisable and fascinating animals. Giraffes provide wonderful opportunities for children to learn about wildlife, habitats, adaptation, conservation and the diversity of life on our planet. Through play, investigation, creativity and storytelling, children can develop curiosity about animals while learning how we can help protect the natural world.
Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by our dedicated ‘Zoo’, ‘Animals’, ‘Wildlife’, ‘Habitats’, and ‘Endangered Animals’ resources.
Here's some inspiration for celebrating World Giraffe Day in your setting. The following ideas may be adapted for various EYFS and KS1 settings. In EYFS, these ideas are best viewed as invitations to explore, investigate and engage in imaginative play rather than activities every child is expected to complete. Practitioners may choose to follow children's interests around animals, habitats, patterns, stories and conservation. In KS1, some ideas may also be used within more structured science, geography and literacy learning opportunities where appropriate. Printable resources to support the following ideas may be found further down this page.
(Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity or enhancement and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken. Emphasise respect for animals and positive messages about caring for wildlife and the environment.)
🦒 Discovering Giraffes
World Giraffe Day provides an excellent opportunity to learn about these unique animals and their remarkable adaptations.
Children might:
Learn interesting facts about giraffes.
Explore why giraffes have long necks and tongues.
Discuss what giraffes eat and where they live.
Compare giraffes with other animals.
Investigate how giraffes are adapted to their environment.
Resources such as Zoo Animal Fact Cards, Zoo Animal Posters, and other animal-themed resources on our ‘Zoo’ or ‘Animal’ pages can help support these explorations.
Additional Provision Enhancements
Create a giraffe investigation station.
Compare children's heights to a giraffe's height.
Measure and mark out the height of a giraffe outdoors.
Explore photographs and videos of giraffes.
Compare giraffe features with those of other animals.
Create a class giraffe fact book.
🎨 Giraffe Art, Design & Creative Play
The distinctive patterns and features of giraffes provide rich inspiration for creative learning.
Children might:
Create giraffe-inspired artwork.
Explore giraffe spot patterns.
Design their own giraffe.
Build giraffes using construction materials.
Develop imaginative animal characters.
Resources such as Design Your Own Zoo Animal Sheets, Animals of the World Mega Colouring Pack, Zoo Animal Colouring, and various art and craft resources on our ‘Zoo’ or ‘Animal’ pages can support creative exploration.
Additional Provision Enhancements
Create giraffe spot printing using sponges.
Design fantasy giraffes with unusual colours and patterns.
Use loose parts to create giraffe pictures.
Build giraffe habitats from construction materials.
Create large collaborative giraffe murals.
Explore animal patterns through transient art.
🧸 Zoo Role Play & Small World Adventures
Role play helps children develop language, communication and understanding of the wider world.
Children might:
Become zookeepers or wildlife experts.
Care for animals in a pretend zoo.
Welcome visitors to an animal park.
Create stories involving giraffes and other animals.
Develop empathy and understanding through play.
Resources on our ‘Zoo’ page such as the Zoo Dramatic Role Play Pack, Zoo Trip Pack, and Zoo Animal Lollipop Puppets can help enrich these experiences.
Additional Provision Enhancements
Create a zoo ticket office.
Set up animal enclosures in role-play areas.
Use small world animals and habitats.
Create animal care routines.
Design signs for zoo exhibits.
Encourage storytelling using animal puppets.
📚 Literacy & Storytelling
Giraffes provide engaging contexts for reading, writing and communication activities.
Children might:
Listen to stories featuring giraffes.
Retell favourite animal stories.
Create their own animal adventures.
Learn new animal-related vocabulary.
Share facts and ideas with others.
Resources such as Zoo Animal Alphabet Display Cards, animal word mats, and related literacy resources in our ‘Animals of the World’ collection and Safari Holiday resources on our ‘Holidays, Vacations & Travel’ page, can help support language development.
Additional Provision Enhancements
Read Giraffes Can't Dance and discuss the story themes.
Create animal story maps.
Write labels for zoo displays.
Create fact files about favourite animals.
Develop storytelling baskets with animal figures.
Encourage children to invent their own safari adventures.
🔢 Animal Maths & Problem Solving
Animal themes provide meaningful opportunities for mathematical learning through play.
Children might:
Count giraffes and other animals.
Compare sizes and heights.
Sort animals into groups.
Create patterns using animal pictures.
Explore measuring and estimating.
Resources such as Zoo Animal Counting Posters, Colour & Count Zoo Animals, Animal Sorting Games, and Footprint Matching Activities on our ‘Zoo’ page, can support mathematical thinking.
Additional Provision Enhancements
Compare the heights of different animals.
Sort animals by habitat.
Create animal tally charts.
Measure animal footprints.
Estimate how many children equal a giraffe's height.
Create animal pattern sequences.
🌍 Habitats, Wildlife & Conservation
World Giraffe Day offers valuable opportunities to introduce conservation in an age-appropriate and hopeful way.
Children might:
Learn where giraffes live.
Explore different animal habitats.
Discuss why animals need safe homes.
Learn simple ways humans can help wildlife.
Develop care and respect for living things.
Resources from our Endangered Animals, Wildlife, Habitats, and Zoo pages can help support these discussions.
Additional Provision Enhancements
Create habitat small worlds.
Match animals to their environments.
Discuss what animals need to survive.
Explore savannah landscapes.
Create wildlife conservation posters.
Investigate animals from around the world.
🎭 Movement, Drama & Physical Play
Giraffes can inspire movement and physical development activities.
Children might:
Stretch tall like giraffes.
Move like different animals.
Create animal movement sequences.
Act out stories involving wildlife.
Develop coordination through imaginative play.
Resources such as our Zoo Animal Activity Challenge Cards on our ‘Zoo’ page support creative movement.
Additional Provision Enhancements
Create animal movement challenges.
Explore "giraffe walks" and stretching activities.
Play animal charades.
Move like animals from different habitats.
Create obstacle courses inspired by safari adventures.
Combine music and animal movement.
🔍 Explore More
To support your World Giraffe Day learning and encourage deeper exploration of animals, wildlife and conservation, you may wish to explore our resources linked to:
Animals • Zoo • Wildlife • Habitats • Endangered Animals
You may also enjoy exploring related themes such as:
Mammals • The Environment • Life Cycles • Forest School • Safari Animals • Geography • Africa • Wildlife
Planning support is also available through our ‘Planning – Topic Plan Ideas – Animals’ resource on our ‘EYFS Planning’ page.
These ideas and provision enhancements offer meaningful ways to celebrate World Giraffe Day in EYFS and KS1 settings. Through animal exploration, storytelling, creative play and conservation learning, children can develop curiosity about the natural world while building empathy, knowledge and a lifelong appreciation for wildlife. 🦒🌍🐾🌿
To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.
Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘World Giraffe Day’
(For additional resources please visit the topic pages listed above.)
Free EYFS & KS1 ‘Giraffe’ activities and printable resources:
Mega pack of Animal colouring pictures…49 sheets of individual animals to colour including their names.
Great for fine motor, observational skills, colour choice and becoming aware that text has meaning.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Our Zoo Animals colouring sheets pack includes each animal with its name and footprint. Animals included are Chimpanzee, Zebra, Tiger, Poison Dart Frog, Lion, Meerkat, Rhinoceros, Wolf, Sea Lion, Komodo Dragon, Giraffe, Flamingo, Elephant and Penguin.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Print one to a page for a large display or fewer for a smaller display or flashcards for use in games and activities.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Versatile zoo animal border paper. Files include colour and black and white versions.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Count the Zoo Animals from 0 to 20. Print one or two numbers to a page for use as part of a display or more to a page for a set of flashcards. Ideal sheets to practise 1:1 correspondence counting (where children place their fingers on the objects as they count them). Also great for learning written numbers and knowledge of animals.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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EYFS & KS1 ‘Giraffe’ activities and printable resources from our ‘Zoo’ collection:
Zoo Role Play Pack includes: zoo banner, tickets, open/closed signs, opening times poster, ‘Which animals can you find?’ tick sheet, ice cream/lolly prices poster, ice cream/lolly role play cards, zoo map, zoo gold member card templates, direction posters/arrows, animal enclosure posters (include feeding times with food each animal eats), animal food role play cards for children to feed animals correct foods and zookeeper name card templates.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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'What animal did the zoo send you?’ Writing/Drawing/Mark Making Sheets.
Why not read ‘Dear Zoo’ alongside this activity?!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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'My day at the Zoo!’ Mark Making/Writing/Drawing Sheets which can be joined together to create a booklet.
Select and print the sheets appropriate for your children. Sheets include a front cover, 5 different prompt sentence headers to inspire mark making and a blank sheet for your to create your own prompts if you wish.
Prompt sentences include:
My favourite part of the day was…
The biggest animal I saw was…
The smallest animal I saw was…
The funniest animal I saw was…
The scariest animal I saw was…
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Children will love to search for animals and tick them off on the checklist as they walk around the zoo.
You could even use this checklist with small world or soft toys in your setting or home with a tuff tray, feely bag or where the toys are hidden!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Can you match the feeding time number on the animal card to the time on the clock?
All times are o’clock and each puzzle pair has a different way of connecting for the children to match and so even if they haven’t learnt to read the time yet, but are familiar with a clock face and numbers to 12, this can be a fun way to introduce them to new challenges.
Once the puzzles are complete, why not line them up in time order? If your children would enjoy a further challenge, leave out a time and see if they can spot which one is missing from the sequence.
Puzzles could also be used as posters or flashcards if left uncut.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use once for individuals or laminate for multiple uses.
Six animals included: rhino, chimp, lion, giraffe, tiger and meercat.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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18 animal puppets included in this pack. Ideal for zoo small world role play!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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18 animal puppets included in this pack. Ideal for art and craft and zoo small world role play!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Count the Zoo Animals from 0 to 20. Print one or two numbers to a page for use as part of a display or more to a page for a set of flashcards. Ideal sheets to practise 1:1 correspondence counting (where children place their fingers on the objects as they count them). Also great for learning written numbers and knowledge of animals.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Encourage your children to colour the objects and count them as they go (1 to 20). Ideal sheets to practise 1:1 correspondence counting (where children place their fingers on the objects as they count them). Also great for learning written numbers and knowledge of animals. Children may even enjoy using these as posters to create a themed numberline on their bedroom/playroom wall!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Have great fun with your children whilst all pretending to be zoo animals with this set of 8 Zoo Activity Challenge cards!
Perhaps children could stand in a circle around the pile of cards and take turns to pick one for everyone to do? Cards could equally be shrunk down and placed on a key ring to take out on adventures or featured on an indoor or outdoor display board and referred to with everyone carrying out the activity on floor space in front. Once the children get to know the cards they will be able to relate the action to the picture without necessarily needing the card read to them...For example an adult may be able to simply hold up a card and everyone will be able to do the activity together! For those children who are exceptionally engaged, these cards explored in sequence could even be set to music as a dance performance!
Great for physical development, descriptive language, understanding the world and turn taking.
Why not read ‘Dear Zoo’ alongside this activity?!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Why not use this fun zoo animals and their footprints puzzle game to introduce your children to or consolidate their knowledge of zoo animals? Cut each puzzle along the line in the middle and invite your children to match each zoo animal with its footprint. Why not extend learning by discussing similarities and differences between the different footprints? Extend children’s vocabulary by describing animal body parts such as tail, hooves, paws, fur, beaks, etc. Ask questions such as ‘Which animal has the longest/shortest neck?’
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Several activity sheets designed for use during or after a zoo trip. Sheets include: - ‘Zoo Checklist’ which features pictures of some typical zoo animals with space underneath each for children to tick the ones they have observed - ‘Zoo Tally’ sheet to enable children to begin to make marks which correspond to quantities of things (children may be encouraged to make any mark in the appropriate box when they see the animal/object, this will develop to tally lines and older children may even count up the tally and write the corresponding number) - ‘What can you see on your zoo trip?’ differentiated writing/drawing/mark making sheets with lots of versions to choose from.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Can your children draw the missing parts to these zoo animals? Or challenge your children to design their own animals with these ‘missing parts’ animal sheets (x6) and final ‘design your own zoo animal’ sheet.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Print one to a page for a large display or fewer for a smaller display or flashcards for use in games and activities.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This pack includes 14 different zoo animals. Can be used as part of a display or activity. Why not hide them in a sand tray and see which animals the children can uncover? You could also play sorting games such as organising the cards into piles with different characteristics, e.g. tails, fins, number of legs, etc.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Versatile zoo animal border paper. Files include colour and black and white versions.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Our Zoo Animals colouring sheets pack includes each animal with its name and footprint. Animals included are Chimpanzee, Zebra, Tiger, Poison Dart Frog, Lion, Meerkat, Rhinoceros, Wolf, Sea Lion, Komodo Dragon, Giraffe, Flamingo, Elephant and Penguin.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Facts include: name, picture, footprint, what they eat, what their young are called and how long they live for. Why not use them as part of a display or role play area? Cards could be used to demonstrate information boards you may find at an animal enclosure when walking around a zoo. Or perhaps children could create their own miniature home for a particular animal using art and craft materials with a cardboard box. File includes 14 cards. Have fun!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Consolidate children’s knowledge of zoo animals whilst playing a fun game of snap (or a memory game of ‘picking up pairs’) with this set of large snap cards. The cards are made with a tab which can be folded before lamination in order to strengthen the final product. This also means that when turned over, the picture on the front can not be seen. The cards include a picture of each animal, their footprint silhouette and also their name written in lower case letters. 11 animals included and the file comprises 44 cards in total.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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EYFS & KS1 ‘Giraffe’ activities and printable resources from our ‘Animals’ collection:
Mega pack of Animal colouring pictures…49 sheets of individual animals to colour including their names.
Great for fine motor, observational skills, colour choice and becoming aware that text has meaning.
Colouring, Fine Motor, Mark Making/Drawing/Writing, Pencil Control, Take Home, Activity, Discussion Prompts, Print Carries Meaning, Cow, Donkey, Deer, Goat, Goose, Chicken, Duck, Dog, Pig, Sheep, Horse, Anteater, Yak, Vulture, Umbrella Bird, Quail, Octopus, Narwhal, Kangaroo, Jellyfish, Iguana, Penguin, Banded Penguin, Sea Lion, Zebra, Wolf, Rhinos, Lion, Meerkat, Komodo Dragon, Giraffe, Flamingo, Elephant, Chimpanzee, Frog, Fox, Robin, Tiger, Rabbit, Cat, Ox, Cockerel, Hen, Swallow, Squirrel, Dormouse, Hedgehog, Bat, Mouse, Badger, Slow Worm, Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, Invertebrate
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Banner with headings/labels you may also wish to use on your display board.
Posters/Displays, Print Carries Meaning, Observational Skills, Vulture, Elephant, Tiger, Giraffe, Chimpanzee, Quail, Flamingo, Iguana, Zebra, Dolphin, Clownfish, Banded Penguin, Penguin, Octopus, Turtle, Seahorse, Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Pack of animal cards with sorting labels. Ideal for use as part of an interactive display or sorting activity or game. Differentiate for use with different ages of children by your selection of activity cards, the vocabulary you use and your use of questioning. You may like to select e.g. the headings ‘4 legs’, ‘2 legs’ and ‘0 legs’. Place them on the floor or a table and discuss with your child(ren) which animal cards should be placed under each of the headings. For some headings such as ‘Eats meat’, ‘Eats plants’ and ‘Eats both’ you may like to create your own venn diagram by using two hoops/looped skipping ropes on the floor or circles on paper which overlap in the middle. The 2 separate components go in each hoop e.g. ‘Eats meat’ and ‘Eats plants’ and the overlapping centre is where both characteristics are true. In this case ‘Eats both meat and plants’. If none of the characteristics mentioned are true for an animal, the animal card may be placed outside of the circles. This sorting activity is a great way to encourage children to observe animal characteristics closely. The active engagement with the subject matter means they are more likely to retain knowledge for example new vocabulary. Can you think of any other ways to sort these animals? Perhaps you could make your own heading cards?
Graphs/Charts, Sorting Activities, Games, Activity, Group Activity, Discussion Prompts, Posters/Displays, Observational Skills, Problem Solving, Print Carries Meaning, Cards/Flashcards, Vulture, Dolphin, Clownfish, Turtle, Cow, Chicken, Hen, Duck, Sheep, Banded Penguin, Penguin, Chimpanzee, Elephant, Flamingo, Giraffe, Sea Lion, Tiger, Birds, Mammals, Fish, Reptiles, Carnivores, Herbivores, Omnivores
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Animal themed horizontal border paper. A variety of options including 2 types of lined and a blank sheet. Each of these are available within the pack in both full colour and black and white versions for colouring in.
Fine Motor, Mark Making/Drawing/Writing, Drawing, Pencil Control, Take Home, Zoo, Octopus, Tiger, Banded Penguin, Penguin, Sea Lion, Frog, Lion, Chimpanzee, Wolf, Meerkat, Quail, Starfish, Seahorse, Turtle, Anteater, Dolphin, Vulture, Zebra, Iguana, Crabs, Rhinos, Elephant, Flamingo, Giraffe, Kangaroo, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrate
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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<<-BACK TO ANIMALS OF THE WORLD MENU
Animal themed vertical border paper. A variety of options including 2 types of lined and a blank sheet. Each of these are available within the pack in both full colour and black and white versions for colouring in.
Fine Motor, Mark Making/Drawing/Writing, Pencil Control, Drawing, Take Home, Zoo, Iguana, Tiger, Banded Penguin, Penguin, Sea Lion, Lion, Seahorse, Octopus, Quail, Frog, Crabs, Zebra, Starfish, Vulture, Anteater, Dolphin, Wolf, Turtle, Meerkat, Chimpanzee, Rhinos, Kangaroo, Elephant, Flamingo, Giraffe, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrate
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Ideal as part of an 'Animals' topic. These Animal themed Picture (and word) Snap cards can be printed, cut out and laminated to consolidate children's knowledge of animals, their names and their characteristics with a fun game of snap!
Observational Skills, Problem Solving, Games, Snap Cards, Turn Taking, Group Activity, Cards/Flashcards, Print Carries Meaning, Zoo, Chimpanzee, Giraffe, Tiger, Clownfish, Dolphin, Crabs, Iguana, Vulture, Yak, Kangaroo, Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Fish, Invertebrate
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Help children to recognise phase 2 sounds by linking them to animal names depicted on the mat. Use as part of a Letters and Sounds display area or table activities as a visual reminder of the sounds.
Letters & Sounds - Phase 2, Posters/Displays, Squirrel, Ant, Tiger, Pig, Iguana, Narwhal, Mouse, Dog, Goose, Octopus, Cat, Donkey, Duck, Elephant, Umbrella Bird, Rabbit, Hen, Butterfly, Frog, Giraffe, Lion, Gorilla, Possum, Mammals, Amphibians, Invertebrate, Birds, Reptiles
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use as part of a Letters and Sounds display area, tuff spot activity (e.g. match objects in the tray with the appropriate letter/digraph sound), or as flashcards during teaching games with a small group. Help children to recognise these sounds by linking them to animal names depicted on the cards.
Letters & Sounds - Phase 2, Posters/Displays, Squirrel, Ant, Tiger, Pig, Iguana, Narwhal, Mouse, Dog, Goose, Octopus, Cat, Donkey, Duck, Elephant, Umbrella Bird, Rabbit, Hen, Butterfly, Frog, Giraffe, Lion, Gorilla, Possum, Reptiles, Mammals, Invertebrate, Birds, Amphibians
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
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DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
<<-BACK TO ‘ANIMALS OF THE WORLD’ MENU
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Phase 2 sound cards with animals to colour which depict the relevant sound.
Letters & Sounds - Phase 2, Colouring, Letter Formation, Pencil Control, Fine Motor, Mark Making/Drawing/Writing, Squirrel, Ant, Tiger, Pig, Iguana, Narwhal, Mouse, Dog, Goose, Octopus, Cat, Donkey, Duck, Elephant, Umbrella Bird, Rabbit, Hen, Butterfly, Frog, Giraffe, Lion, Gorilla, Possum, Mammals, Reptiles, Invertebrate, Birds, Amphibians
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This pack contains some activity ideas for learning about ANIMALS as well as some blank forms for you to note down your own ideas.
Staring at a blank page when planning can be difficult so we hope that even if you don’t end up using our exact suggestions, they will be a spark of inspiration for your own great ideas when planning for your children.
(For additional ‘Animals’ themed resources visit our ‘ANIMALS’ PAGE.)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Looking for additional ‘Animal’ Themed activities and printable resources for EYFS & KS1?
Due to the vast number of ‘Animal’ themed printables we have on Little Owls Resources, you may wish to narrow your search by using the buttons below:
CLICK HERE to visit the ‘BEACH SCHOOL’ PAGE.
Printable ‘Beach’ teaching and learning resources include: scavenger hunts/checklists, mindfulness activity cards, cockle shell age poster, senses booklets and prompts, colouring pages, drawing/writing/mark making sheets, shell multimats, playdough/ loose part mats, art and craft activities, templates, pattern cards, natural loose part art prompts/posters, shapes, pre-writing, rockpool fact cards, symmetry, activity/movement challenges, display lettering, sand play and more!
CLICK HERE to visit ‘LIFE CYCLES’ PAGE.
Printable ‘Life Cycle’ teaching and learning resources include: cyclic puzzles, frog, chicken, caterpillar/butterfly, ant/bean life cycle display packs, posters, cut and stick activities, banners, cards, playdough mats and more!
CLICK HERE to visit ‘ON THE FARM’ PAGE.
Printable ‘Farm’ related teaching and learning resources include: word mats/cards, banners, farm animals and the young/babies counting, puzzles, I spy activities, follow the lines pencil control, animal body part posters, multimats, playdough mats, loose part activities, art and craft, fine motor control, phase 1, 2 and 3 letters and sounds, animal colouring, number slice puzzles, pictogram, size ordering, matching and memory games, fact cards, picture snap, farm trip pack and more!
More Early Years Event Pages for June
Wednesday 24th June 2026: ✨📖 National Writing Day is a day dedicated to encouraging everyone, especially young children, to find their voice through writing. Writing is not just about letters and words; it’s about sharing ideas…
Wednesday 24th June 2026: Discover a world of magic and imagination! ✨🧚♀️🌸 International Fairy Day is a special, unofficial celebration that happens every year on June 24th. It’s a day dedicated to the whimsical…
Monday 22nd - Sunday 28th June 2026: Discover the fascinating world of minibeasts! 🐞🦋🐛 Insect Week is a whole week dedicated to learning about all the tiny, creepy crawly creatures that live all around us. Insects are super important for our planet…
Tuesday 23rd June 2026: Discover the heroes who help our community every day for Public Service Day! 👩🚒👨🏫👮♀️ For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day…
Tuesday 23rd June 2026: Discover the amazing world of engineering for International Women in Engineering Day (INWED)! 👷♀️⚙️🌉 This day helps us remember that anyone, whether they are a boy or a girl…
Sunday 21st June 2026: Let's look up to the tallest animal on Earth for World Giraffe Day! 🦒🌍🌿 It's about inspiring children with a love for wildlife, teaching them about the importance of protecting endangered…
Sunday 21st June 2026: 🎶🥁🎤 For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a wonderfully creative and crucial theme for exploring music and sound, expressive movement…
Thursday 18th June 2026: Pack a basket, grab a blanket, and head outside for a special meal! 🧺🌳🍎 International Picnic Day is a day to celebrate the simple pleasure of having a meal outdoors, whether it's in the garden, at the park…
Wednesday 17th June 2026: Let's munch on some crunchy carrots and tasty tomatoes for Eat your Veg Day! 🥕🥦😋 This day reminds us that vegetables are like superheroes for our bodies—they are full of good things that…
Tuesday 16th June 2026: Learn how to be super waste-reducing heroes on World Refill Day! 💧♻️ For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a wonderfully practical…
Monday 15th June 2026: 😊✨ Smile Power Day is a special day celebrated every year on June 15th. It's all about celebrating the wonderful feeling we get when we smile and when we make someone else smile…
Monday 8th June 2026: Let's dive into the big, blue ocean and learn all about it for World Oceans Day 🌊🐬🐠 For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms…
Saturday 6th - Sunday 14th June 2026: This week provides a wonderfully positive and crucial theme for exploring the environment, recycling, plants, animals, conservation, sustainability, and understanding the world…
Saturday 6th June 2026: Let's flutter our wings and learn about our beautiful butterfly friends! 🦋🌸 Butterfly Education and Awareness Day (BEAD) is a fantastic time to think about how we can protect butterflies and…
Friday 5th June 2026: Let's explore our amazing planet and learn how to be its best friend! 🌳🌎💧 World Environment Day is all about making a difference, big or small, to keep our Earth healthy and…
Wednesday 3rd June 2026: This day provides a fantastic and active theme for exploring transport, road safety, exercise, health and well-being, the environment, outdoor play, and understanding the world. It's about…
Monday 1st - Sunday 7th June 2026: Learn how to stay safe and sound during Child Safety Week! 🛡️🚦🏠 For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this week provides a crucial…
Monday 1st June 2026: Let's give a big cheer for our amazing parents and carers! 💖👨👩👧👦 For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides…
Monday 1st June 2026: Roar with excitement and dig into the incredible world of dinosaurs! 🦖🌋🦕 For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a wonderfully…
30 Days Wild: Monday 1st - Tuesday 30th June 2026: Let's step outside and get wild with nature! 🌳🦋🐞 '30 Days Wild’ is a fantastic nature challenge that happens every June, organised by The Wildlife Trusts across the UK. It's all about doing one…
Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children
Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!
Click here to visit our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page for an entire year of key EYFS & KS1 events, festivals & celebrations.
Search ‘Little Owls Resources’ Using the following Menu Buttons…
Click here to visit our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page for an entire year of key EYFS & KS1 events, festivals & celebrations.
Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to 'World Giraffe Day'. We are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), which organises this annual initiative. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this event. For official information and details, please visit the Giraffe Conservation Foundation website: www.giraffeconservation.org.
Saturday 27th June 2026: Time to put on our shades and protect our eyes for National Sunglasses Day! 😎☀️🕶️ This day provides a fun and crucial theme for exploring sun safety, eye health, weather, and personal health…