Published October 6, 2025 Written by [email protected]

Early years activity: Animal appreciation

World Animal Day is focused on raising awareness and appreciation of the importance of animals for the planet. Take part in this year’s World Animal Day by using this activity to get children to share their appreciation of their favourite animals.

Animal appreciation activity learning aims

Talk about their favourite animals and own pets
Talk about their own feelings
Understand how animals can help the planet
Use a range of materials to express creative ideas.

Resources you will need for this activity

Photos of the animals you are going to talk about
Creative/recycled art materials
Aprons.

Animal appreciation activity outline

Talk to children about World Animal Day and the importance of animals for the planet. Provide examples such as bees as pollinators, earthworms for improving soil, birds and bats for seed dispersal, giraffes helping with pollination and encouraging new growth of existing trees and guide dogs who help blind people
Invite children to share their appreciation for their favourite animal or pet. What is it that makes them their favourite? How do they feel when they spend time with their favourite animal or pet? Animals help the planet, what do we do to help animals?
Provide a range of craft/recycled materials for children to recreate their favourite animal or pet
Display all the artwork to show the range of favourite animals. Scribe children’s comments of why they appreciate their favourite animal or pet and attach to your display.

How to extend this activity

Look at ways you can support animals in your nursery environment, for example, putting up bird feeders for birds, leaving water out for local wildlife, adding a hedgehog highway to your perimeter fences, etc.

NDNA products to support you with this activity

Animals and pets at nursery – Blog post

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Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.

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