At Poplars, our youngest learners thrive when exploring through play. These simple, age-appropriate crafts are designed to spark joy and imagination while celebrating World Animal Day together.
World Animal Day, celebrated every year on 4th October, is a special opportunity to honour the animals we share our planet with. For young children, it’s also a chance to learn about different creatures while enjoying fun, hands-on activities. Crafting together at home is a simple and affordable way to spark imagination, develop fine motor skills, and encourage children’s curiosity about the animal world.
Here are three easy step-by-step craft ideas families can enjoy to celebrate World Animal Day.
1. Animal Masks
Transform children into their favourite animals with masks that are simple to make and full of fun.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plates or card
- Scissors (grown-ups only)
- Crayons, paints, or coloured paper
- Glue or tape
- String or elastic
Steps:
- Cut out eye holes in the plate or card.
- Help your child decorate the mask with crayons, paints, or paper cut-outs.
- Add features such as ears, whiskers, or feathers.
- Attach string or elastic so your child can wear their animal mask.
Tip: Encourage your child to act out the animal they’ve created – it’s great for imaginative play and storytelling.
2. Handprint Animals
A handprint becomes a lion’s mane, a fish’s body, or even the wings of a bird with a little creativity.
What you’ll need:
- Paper
- Washable paints
- Paintbrushes
- Pens, stickers, or googly eyes
Steps:
- Paint your child’s hand with bright colours.
- Press it firmly onto paper to make a handprint.
- Once dry, turn the print into an animal by adding features with pens or stickers.
- Display the artwork proudly or create a whole gallery of animals.
Tip: This is a lovely keepsake activity – date the artwork to remember your child’s World Animal Day creation.
3. Recycled-Creature Creations
Give everyday household items a new life as animal models. It’s fun, eco-friendly, and imaginative.
What you’ll need:
- Cardboard tubes, egg boxes, bottle tops, or scrap paper
- Paints and brushes
- Glue or tape
Steps:
- Choose an animal to make – perhaps a giraffe from a cardboard tube or a crocodile from an egg box.
- Glue or tape pieces together to create the basic shape.
- Paint and decorate with patterns, spots, or stripes.
- Add finishing touches like googly eyes or paper tails.
Tip: This is a great way to talk about recycling and caring for the environment while having fun.
Celebrating Together
Craft activities for World Animal Day don’t just spark creativity – they help children learn empathy, care for nature, and develop important skills through play. Whether it’s wearing a colourful mask, making handprint artwork, or building creatures from recycled materials, these simple crafts will make World Animal Day special for the whole family.
