Zoo Themed Educational Resources for All Ages

Are you a teacher, parent, or caregiver exploring information about animals and zoos or creating a unit study or theme week for your kiddo(s)? Check out this list of favorite resources- including everything from books and documentaries to video games and children’s shows! On this page you’ll find a variety of ways to learn more about zoos, land creatures, and conservation. The suggestions here cover a variety of ages. Please preview any materials before sharing with your child(ren).

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Want to enhance your real zoo adventure? Grab our “Zoo Book – A DIY Adventure Guide” from our sister company, By Stacia, before you go!.

Documentaries About Zoos, Animals, and Conservation:

• The Zoo from Animal Planet
• The Zoo: San Diego from Animal Planet
• Secrets of the Zoo from National Geographic
• Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom from National Geographic
• Crikey! It’s the Irwins from Animal Planet
• Planet Earth (I & II) from BBC
• Africa from BBC
• Our Planet on Netflix
• Life from BBC
• The Jeff Corwin Experience from Animal Planet
• Xploration Animal Science
• Seven Worlds, One Planet from BBC Earth

Shows for Kids About Wild Animals and Caring for Earth:

• Wild Kratts
• Go Diego Go
• If I Were An Animal
• Nature Cat

YouTube Channels for Lovers of the Zoo and Cute Animals:

• The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens– a combination of sweet animal videos and behind the scenes look at care and conservation
• WildEarth– daily live safaris
• San Diego Zoo– live cameras and zoo animal videos
• Smithsonian’s National Zoo– tours and a creative and informative look at animals
• Dodo Kids– playful and uplifting animal videos
• Leo the Wildlife Ranger– animal education for young children
• Nat Geo Kids/ Nat Geo Wild– a collection of upbeat nature and science videos
• BBC Earth Kids/ BBC Earth– interesting and informative videos for a wide range of ages

Books About Zoos, Animals, and Conservation for All Ages:

• A Day in the Life Series from Neon Squid
• Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty
• Homes in the Wild: Where Baby Animals and Their Parents Live by Lita Judge
• Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Series by Mary Pope Osborne 
• Animal Facts: By the Numbers by Steve Jenkins
• Creature Features by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• What Do You Do if You Work at the Zoo by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Guardians of the Planet: How to be an Eco-Hero by Clive Gifford and Jonathan Woodward
• Rewilding: Bringing Wildlife Back Where It Belongs by David A Steen and Chiara Fedele
• Jane’s Endangered Animal Guide by J.J. Johnson and Christin Simms
• American Girl Love the Earth: Understanding Climate Change, Standing up for Solutions, and Living an Earth-friendly LIfe by Mel Hammond
• Recycle and Remake: Creative Projects for Eco Kids by DK
• Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives and Features of Wild Animals Around the World by Julia Rothman
• Animalium (Welcome to the Museum) by Jenny Broom
• Bear Grylls Sticker Activity Books by Bear Grylls
• Life Cycles: Everything from Start to Finish by DK and Sam Falconer
• An Anthology of Intriguing Animals by DK
• 100 Things to Know About Saving the Planet from Usborne
• Lots of Things to Know About Animals fby James Maclaine
• Can We Really Help the Polar Bears? by Katie Daynes
• Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature by AJ Wood and Mike Jolley
• I Like Animals… What Jobs Are There? by Steve Martin
• Search the Zoo, Find the Animals by Bethanie Hestermann
• Zoo Time by D.S. Park
• National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals by Catherine D Hughes
• Discovery: Roar at the Zoo! by Thea Feldman

Wildlife and Nature Magazines:

• Ranger Rick (multiple options available for a range of ages)
• National Geographic (multiple options available for a range of ages)
• National Wildlife

Board Games with an Animal Theme:

• New York Zoo
• Ark Nova
• Animal Trivia Challenge
• Concept Kids: Animals
• Cranium Zooreka
• Hit the Habitat Trail!
• The Champion of the Wild
• Ecologies

Video Games with a Zoo Theme:

• Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection (Also available on XBOX)
• Planet Zoo
• Zoo Builder in Minecraft
• Let’s Build A Zoo (Also available on Nintendo Switch)
• Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo (Also available on Nintendo Switch)

Web Resources with Information About Zoos, Animals, and Conservation:

• Curiosity Stream– a streaming service focused on factual entertainment 
• The Association of Zoos and Aquariums– animal care, wildlife preservation and trafficking 
• World Wildlife Fund– wildlife conservation and restoration 
• United States Environmental Protection Agency– environmental protection and preservation 
• Animalia– online animal encyclopedia
• National Geographic– animal facts, games, and videos 
• Defenders of Wildlife– protection of native animals and plants in their communities 
• Zooborns– baby animals 
• Teachers Pay Teachers– educational resources created by teachers
• Etsy– a creator’s market filled with worksheets, unit studies, and more
• Outschool– virtual classes provided by teachers in a large variety of formats and topics 

Other Ideas:

• Ask your local librarian for information and local resources
• Check the websites of your nearest zoo for special programs and educational offerings, check zoo websites around the world for information, maps, and other resources
• Search online for wildlife preserves, state and national parks, and nature centers in your area

Any other resources you love? Visit us @anenjoyablejourney on Facebook and Instagram and let us know!