3D Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten

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A 3D zoo animals writing project for kindergarten. Break out the paint, scissors and pencils for this fun “wild about” zoo animals writing piece and craft.

It was tradition that we ended the school year with a field trip to our local zoo. Here is an animal writing project we’d do that incorporates a craft as we’d prepare for our field trip.

3D Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten

This zoo animal project has a neat 3D finished effect and almost feels like a diorama… except it doesn’t have any sides. It makes a very cool display along the floor outside of the classroom where it can sit open.

Let me share the steps to completing this project so your class can make it too.

Teacher prep

1. Select a variety of colors of large (12×18″) construction paper. Each student will need one piece.

2. Cut one 6×12″ strip of green construction paper for each student.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - Lion template

3. Print a variety of free 3D zoo animal templates. I used white construction paper to be a little more sturdy so the animals can stand up. I actually had my students pick a favorite animal ahead of time so I could print the number needed.

Personally, I like these options:

Our zoo doesn’t have every one of these animals, but they are classic animals you can see at most zoos.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - bats template

4. Print stands (2 per child) onto some strong tagboard or cardstock. Or make some of your own (that’s what I usually did).

5. Print an “I’m wild about” writing template for each student. [terms of use] [downloading help]

6. You’ll also need these supplies:

  • glue
  • scissors
  • paints (we used watercolors) or crayons/markers
  • pencils

7. *Optional: Run off a zookeeper for each student. I made girl zookeepers just by adding hair to the boy template {wink}

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - tiger template

How to make it with your class

Now, it gets fun! It’s time to let the kinders do their part. This is definitely a multi-step project and can also be done over two (or more) days.

Step 1 – Make the individual pieces

Students first paint their chosen animal template.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - painting an iguana template

Let it dry while working on the next part!

Make the background. Fold the large 12×18 piece of construction paper in half in a portrait orientation (or hamburger fold).

Make the grass. Fold the green strip of construction paper in half in a landscape orientation (or hot dog fold).

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - glue grass at the base

Add the grass. Put glue on one half and slide it under the bottom of an open edge of the background. The other half of the green will stick out.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - how to make

Cut the grass. Make fringe cuts on the grass piece that sticks out. Bend the grass up for a 3D effect.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - cut fringe at edge for 3D effect

Cut an assemble the zoo animal. Once the animals are dry, they can be cut out and glued together. Most have 2-3 pieces so this doesn’t usually take too long. Glue or slide in stands on the feet of the animals.

Color the zoo keeper to match their animal. Let them get creative! I recommend crayons so they can color in detail. Cut out the finished zookeeper.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - creating 3D grass

Step 2 – Put the pieces together

Students complete the writing prompt, “I’m wild about (animal). That’s because…” and glue it to the back half of the background construction paper. Glue the zookeeper with the writing piece.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - painting animals

Place or glue the animal onto the grassy enclosure so that it can stand up in front of the writing piece and behind the grass.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - tiger template

Sit the final piece up along the edge of a wall or have students hold them for a cute photo. These fold flat to go home which is super nice.

Free and Easy Zoo Animals Writing Project for Kindergarten - hippo template

My kinders were usually writing a good amount by the end of the school year so it made these a fun keepsake project to show their growth. Isn’t it amazing how far they come since the beginning of the school year?

Zoo animals books

Looking for some good read alouds to go with your zoo animals writing project?

Here is a list of the current titles available that I think are a good classroom fit. (And just a heads up that these are affiliate links)

Let’s wrap it up

There you have it! A zoo animals writing project fit for kindergarten. I think your student will love this project and you will too.

Ready for another writing project? Your kinders will love to learn how to draw The Pigeon in this Don’t Let the Pigeon… Extension Writing Activity.

Don't Let the Pigeon Writing Activity

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

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