Zoo After Dark: Team Up with Talking Animals

Oh no! The zoo gates are closed, and you’re locked in! And even worse ... the sun is disappearing. You wander along the shadowy paths, watching the animals stir under the moonlight. You soon realize you can understand the animals and that they are talking to each other, sharing secrets. You stumble across an animal buddy to be with you as you continue your after-dark adventure in the zoo. Soon you both realize there is a big challenge you must overcome. Write (or draw) about your experience.

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Let's Begin Exploring 

1. Making Friends. Talk about how you found your new animal friend in the zoo and why you decided to explore together.
2. Choose an Adventure. Is it finding a secret treasure, getting back home, or helping someone in the zoo?
3. The Inside Scoop. Share a fun chat you had or a neat secret you found out.
4. Solve a Problem. Tell us about a time when you worked as a team to figure something out.
5. Wrap it Up. Finish your story by sharing if you solved the big problem, how you felt when the morning came, and what new things happened for you and your animal friend after your night at the zoo.

 
Crafts: Unleash Your Inner Animal

1. Animal Masks: Use paper plates, paint, and decorations to create masks of various zoo animals. Kids can choose their favorite animal to craft and wear during their storytelling.
2. Zoo Night Lanterns: Decorate mason jars with animal silhouettes and use glow sticks or battery-operated tea lights to light them up, creating a magical zoo night atmosphere.
3. Animal Buddy Puppets: Create simple puppets using socks or paper bags, adding features to match their chosen animal buddy from the story. This can encourage retelling their adventure with a tangible friend.

 
Activities: Roar, Rumble, and Explore

1. Animal Sounds Game: Play a game where you mimic the sounds of different animals found in the zoo and have the kids guess which animal it is. This can also include fun facts about each animal.
2. Zoo Adventure Map: Provide materials for kids to draw a map of their imagined zoo adventure, including where they met their animal buddy and where the big challenge took place.
3. Scavenger Hunt: Set up a mini zoo scavenger hunt in your space with hidden animal figures or pictures. Each found item can come with a clue or fact, leading to the next, simulating an adventure through the zoo.

 
Snacks: Tasty Treats from the Animal Kingdom

1. Animal Trail Mix: Mix together a variety of nuts, fruits, and animal-shaped crackers or sweets to make a thematic snack that's perfect for explorers.
2. Banana Dolphins: Cut bananas in half, making a slit in the stem to create a mouth, and use grapes or small berries to make eyes. Place them in a bowl of blueberries or other fruits to represent water, creating a fun and healthy snack.
3. Jungle Juice: Create a refreshing drink by mixing green fruit punch with lemon-lime soda. Add animal-shaped ice cubes (using molds) to stick with the theme.