Build your rainy-day zoo

Build your rainy-day zoo

The child in the story turns a rainy day into an indoor adventure. Invent your own pretend zoo with drawings and safe household play. You do not need real animals.

Draw your imaginary zoo. Add a place for visitors and two animal areas.

My zoo is called ... Visitors will see ...

First we ... Then ... Finally ...

Make an animal sign

Choose an animal from the story or invent a clearly labelled fantasy animal.

Draw the animal and its sign.

Name / real or imagined / one movement / one sound

Teacher notes Imagination

Purpose and preparation

20 minutes. Offer paper and crayons; keep boxes, scissors and loose materials age-appropriate and supervised.

Suggested responses

1. A suitable real story choice is a lion, snail, duck, crocodile or pangolin.
2. Invented wings or superpowers must be labelled pretend, not real animal facts.
3. Optional oral storytelling can use First, Then and Finally. Children do not need to make or buy a costume.

Support and stretch

Read aloud; invite pointing, drawings or dictation. Extend by asking for a page or picture clue.

Teaching links

Suggested England English: discussing reading and explaining ideas. US literacy links apply only to the stated school age group, not automatically to babies. Adapt to the learner; these materials are not an accredited curriculum.