World Penguin Day | EYFS & KS1 Activity Ideas

**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with any single founding organisation for World Penguin Day. World Penguin Day is celebrated annually on April 25th. This unofficial observance originated from researchers at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, who noticed that Adélie penguins began their annual northward migration around this date. The day is now widely recognised by various wildlife and conservation organisations worldwide to raise awareness about penguins, their habitats, and the threats they face, such as climate change and habitat loss. While there isn't a single official "founding organisation" that formally governs World Penguin Day, its purpose is championed by numerous environmental and wildlife conservation groups, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), National Geographic, and various aquariums and zoos dedicated to penguin conservation. For more information on penguins and conservation efforts, you can explore resources from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF): www.worldwildlife.org/species/penguin or the National Geographic Society: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/penguins.

Understanding World Penguin Day in EYFS & KS1

Let's waddle and learn all about our amazing feathered friends, penguins on 🐧❄️ World Penguin Day!

For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a fantastic and engaging theme for exploring animals (birds, polar animals, ocean life), habitats, conservation, life cycles, counting and maths, and understanding the world (the world around us). It's about introducing children to fascinating creatures, understanding how animals live in different parts of the world, and learning why it's important to look after our planet and its animals. This day offers wonderful planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about penguins and wildlife conservation both exciting and meaningful!

Why Is Learning About Penguins Important for Young Children?

Integrating World Penguin Day and themes of polar animals and conservation into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) helps build an early appreciation for wildlife, developing empathy for living creatures, and building a foundation for environmental awareness.

• Fosters Animal Appreciation: Introduces children to a unique and often beloved animal, sparking curiosity and interest in wildlife.

• Teaches About Diverse Habitats: Helps children understand that different animals live in different environments (like the cold polar regions).

• Introduces Conservation Concepts: In an age-appropriate way, highlights the importance of protecting animals and their homes.

• Enhances Scientific Understanding: Provides opportunities to learn about animal characteristics, life cycles, and adaptations.

• Develops Empathy: Encourages caring for animals and understanding their needs.

• Promotes Cross-Curricular Learning: Naturally integrates literacy, maths, and physical activity with an engaging theme.

Engaging Penguin & Polar Activities for World Penguin Day (0-7 Year Olds)

Let's dive into learning about penguins and their icy homes for World Penguin Day with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on appreciating these amazing birds, their habitats, and how we can help protect them! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by our dedicated 'Polar Animals', 'Birds', 'Animals', and 'Ocean' resources.

Here's some inspiration for celebrating World Penguin Day in your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)

• Learning About Penguins & Polar Animals:

  • Set the scene with a 'Polar Animals - Display Banner'.

  • Discuss what penguins look like and how they move (waddle, swim!). Use 'Emperor Penguin Body Parts Poster & Activity Sheets' and 'Penguin Body Parts - Poster & Writing Sheets' to learn about their features.

  • Explore other polar animals alongside penguins using ''Polar Animals - Cartoon Polar Animal Colouring Sheets'.

• Dramatic Play & Movement:

  • Encourage children to waddle like penguins! Use 'Polar Animals - Activity Movement Challenge Cards' for other animal movements.

  • Set up a "penguin habitat" role-play area.

  • Use 'Polar Animals - Polar Animal Masks' for role-playing.

• Penguin Maths & Literacy:

  • Count fish for penguins with 'Polar Animals - Cartoon Penguin And Fish Counting Puzzles (1-10)' and 'Penguin And Fish Counting Puzzles (1-10)'.

  • Use 'Feed The Penguin Playdough Counting Mats (1-10)' for hands-on counting.

  • Play a 'Polar Animals - Dice Game' or 'Feed The Penguin Game' for number recognition.

  • Practice letters with 'Polar Animals - Alphabet Cards'.

  • Develop fine motor skills with 'Polar Animals - Feed The Penguin Pencil Control Activity Sheets' and 'Polar Animals - Feed The Penguin Pencil Control/Finger Tracing Mats'.

  • Use multi-purpose mats for various activities: 'Polar Animals - Multimats'.

• Bird & Ocean Connections:

  • Discuss that penguins are a type of bird that can't fly. Use 'Birds - Display Banner', 'Birds - Silhouette Puzzles', 'Birds - 0-20 Counting Display Posters/Cards', and 'Birds - 0-20 Colour And Count Display Posters/Cards'.

  • This links directly to our ‘Birds’ page.

  • Talk about the ocean where penguins swim and hunt for fish (linking to 'Ocean' and 'Fish').

• Conservation & The Environment:

  • Connect to themes of 'The Environment', 'Recycling', and 'Endangered Animals'.

• Explore More: Please visit our ‘Birds’ or ‘Polar Animals’ pages to browse our entire collection of educational materials on this theme. You may also like to explore additional pages covering relevant and/or connected themes such as ‘Animals’, ‘Endangered Animals’, ‘Habitats’, and ‘Under the Sea’.

These activities offer great inspiration for making World Penguin Day a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering animal appreciation, understanding of habitats, early conservation awareness, and a lifelong sense of wonder for the natural world.

To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.

Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘World Penguin Day’

Free Penguin related activities for EYFS & KS1:

Penguin related activities for EYFS & KS1:

Please visit our ‘Birds’ or ‘Polar Animals’ pages to browse our entire collection of educational materials on this theme.

Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes

More Early Years Event Pages for April

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!

SEARCH ‘LITTLE OWLS Resources’ USING THE FOLLOWING MENU BUTTONS…

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 Penguin Day'. This day is an informal global observance with origins in Antarctic research. It is not officially affiliated with or endorsed by any single founding organisation. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this event. Its purpose is widely supported by various environmental and wildlife conservation groups. For more information on penguins and conservation efforts, you can explore resources from reputable organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF): www.worldwildlife.org/species/penguin or the National Geographic Society: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/penguins.