World Penguin Day is 25th April, the day the birds migrate northward. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the beautiful penguins and helping people to understand and learn more about how to protect them as they are currently considered an endangered species with five of the species having declined significantly in recent years.
How to celebrate World Penguin Day with children
World Penguin Day is a great learning opportunity for adults to use with children, whether in an educational setting or just at home. Penguins are cute and there are so many games, books and crafts available that feature them that it is easy to make learning fun for all ages.
Dressing up
Dressing up is always fun, especially for the little ones. You could purchase a penguin themed outfit like this one from Pretend to bee or even make your own. Then teach your own little penguin about their habitat, favourite foods and other fun facts, making it all about them and their penguin family!
Craft activities
Why not try some craft activities along side the discussions about penguins and how to protect them. Opt for things that have a purpose or can be kept so they also double up as reminders and talking points throughout the year.
You could make dream catchers that they can hang in their bedrooms that will also act as a reminder when they see it to ensure the learning isn’t a one day thing. We recently made these and my 5 year old loved it, they were easy to and lots of fun.
If they’re a little older then how about making charm bracelets along side the discussions. Again this can be worn daily and act like a reminder or your child might like to make them for friends or family along with a little note explaining the importance and significance of the penguin charms.
Plant pots are another great idea. These ones from Baker Ross and come in a set of two so you could paint them together and then pop them on your child’s windowsill with a small plant inside.
Eugy
Eugy are the 3D model building kits, they are available in numerous different designs covering all animals as well as dinosaurs and unicorns. This super cute penguin Eugy would be perfect for World Penguin Day.
Books
There are some fantastic books about penguins that you can read together, some are simply light hearted books that feature penguins like Julia Donaldson’s Jonty Gentoo.
Other books are more educational and help to discuss the importance of looking after penguins like Our Amazing World: Penguins
Quiz
Why not do a Penguin Quiz with the children, see how much they already know and then use any incorrect answers as a learning opportunity. You could even have some penguin themed prizes for the winners if doing it with a group. If you don’t want to plan your own quiz then use the WWF Penguin Quiz.
Printables
If you are looking for penguin themed activities for older children then why not try downloading free and easy to use printables. There are cross words, colouring in sheets, lesson plans and story boards, here are a couple of our favourites
Free Printable Penguin Colouring Page
Free printable Penguin Craft with template
Make your own paper penguin gloves
Day out
If you have the chance to combine World Penguin Day with a day out then why not visit a zoo where you are bound to see lots of penguins up close. It would be a great opportunity to learn more about them, ask the staff and read all the information that is usually available around their enclosure.
However you celebrate World Penguin Day we hope you have a fantastic time learning all about them and how to protect them in the future.
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