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Summer Camp at Home | Imagination Gone Wild!

Roaring good adventures your family can do at home

By Sarah H. July 26, 2024

Looking for at-home ideas to keep kids busy, happy, and learning? We've curated family-friendly themed activities around the theme of animals to help! Here is a sample schedule to help you brainstorm ideas that will work best for your family:


This week, find your family fun with the ANIMAL KINGDOM.



Lion Pancakes

Ingredients: pancake mix, strawberries, chocolate sauce

1. Mix pancakes according to their directions.
2. Cook two different sized pancakes (6 inch and 3 inch).
3. Stack your pancakes and then decorate with sliced strawberries and chocolate sauce.


Book Ideas
Never Smile at a Monkey! by Steve Jenkins
The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
Animal Strike at the Zoo, It's True! by Karma Wilson
One Night in the Zoo by Judith Kerr

Zebra Cake

Supplies needed: white cake mix, dark chocolate cake mix, frosting

1. Make each cake batter according to their directions.
2. Scoop alternating flavors onto each other in the center of your baking pan.
3. Bake according to the box directions.
4. Allow to cool and then frost with your favorite topping.


Stuffed Animal Zoo

Supplies needed: Bookshelf, elastic or cording

1. Tidy up your stuffed animal collection by creating your own bookshelf zoo. 

2. Make your own wooden box or find an empty bookshelf to get started. 

3. Attach elastic vertically to create bars to hold the stuffed animals inside.

Photo credit: Debby Perry


Shadow Animals

Supplies needed: animal figurines, paper, drawing supplies

1. Pick a sunny spot and arrange your animal figurines so that they cast a shadow across your paper.

2. Trace the shadows to create a masterpiece.


Postcards

Download FREE printable postcards.

1. Print the designs on cardstock paper.

2. Color and cut out your artwork.

3. Take pictures and send to grandparents with a note to create a "virtual" postcard.


Movies

The Lion King (Rated G)

Zootopia (Rated PG) 

Madagascar (Rated PG)

Zookeeper (Rated PG)

The Jungle Book (Rated PG)


Visit an animal shelter, sanctuary, or zoo virtually. Here are some ideas:

Cincinnati Zoo: Enjoy a virtual safari every day with keepers.

San Diego Zoo: Watch videos and take part in activities and games.

Zoo Atlanta: Watch the pandas live in their enclosure.

Australia Zoo: Check out over 1200 beautiful animals and go on an adventure with the Irwin Family.


Want to show us your celebration of the animal kingdom? We'd love to see your photos! Be sure to tag Macaroni Kid on social media so we can see how you've brought the joy of the animal kingdom into your child's world.