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Waddle you waiting for? Become a penguin pro with over a dozen hands-on activities created for kids ages 4-8.
Dive into a different penguin theme each day with guided videos, crafts, interactive programs, and live webcams. Kids will activate their inner ornithologist (a scientist who studies birds) and learn all about African penguins—including the ones that call the Academy home!
Please note: While Science @ Home activities are designed to be conducted by kids, some little ones might need adult help with reading instructions and preparing crafts.
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Day 1: Penguin adaptations
Learn more about the unique ways these special birds survive—and thrive!—in challenging environments. (30-45 minutes)
P is for Penguin (video)
https://youtu.be/p9cl6zbKcss
Find out what makes a penguin a penguin—from African penguins perfectly suited for their rocky ocean homes to emperor penguins surviving on the freezing Antarctic ice.
Penguin puppet performance (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmqRyRs_S1Q&list=PLS14biAqBAtGUZbcIV3GpFK2CPgBMmHkC&index=2
Sing along with penguin pals as they celebrate what makes these flightless birds unique.
Make a paper penguin (craft)
/sites/default/files/assets/docs/sah-penguin-shapes-craft-201119.pdf
Create your own paper penguin in just a few minutes! All you need is paper, scissors, a glue stick, and crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
Listen to instructions
Download instructions
Escucha las instrucciones
Descargar instrucciones
Penguin habitat adaptation (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m2kj7f_SPU&list=PLS14biAqBAtGUZbcIV3GpFK2CPgBMmHkC&index=7
When you think of penguins, do you think of snow, or sandy beaches? Join Academy volunteer Shreya to explore the habitat of sun-loving African penguin.
Penguin feathers (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQT0czNp6gg&list=PLS14biAqBAtGUZbcIV3GpFK2CPgBMmHkC&index=5
Join Academy volunteer Anne to find out what makes penguin feathers special.
Day 2: Penguin check-up
A healthy penguin is a happy penguin. Learn more about what it takes to keep our penguins in tip-top shape. (60-90 minutes)
Pierre the Penguin storytime (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=861DsnNqGIw
What happens when an Academy penguin gets sick? Read along with an Academy educator to learn about Pierre, one of the aquarium's most famous flippered residents.
Color a penguin (coloring)
/sites/default/files/assets/images/Education_Images/sah-penguin-coloring-page-logo_201119.pdf
Print out the coloring page and transform the penguin into your own colorful masterpiece.
Chick check-up (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49YWH6jurH0&feature=youtu.be
It’s a boy! Meet a very fuzzy penguin chick that hatched at the Academy, and observe the specialized care provided by our biologists.
While you watch this video, think about the three questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- Have you ever gone to the doctor?
- What sort of things did the doctor or nurse check?
- Did they use any special equipment?
Day 3: Be a penguin scientist
Can't make it to the southern hemisphere? Practice your penguin observation skills at home with this set of videos and activities. (30-60 minutes)
Penguin observation activity (activity)
Become a penguin scientist! Observe our colony of African penguins and keep track of what you see.
Our penguins wear special colored wing bands to help us tell them apart. Download this identification card to figure out which penguin is which as you watch the penguin webcam.
Live penguin webcam (video)
/learn-explore/animal-webcams/live-penguin-cams
Ever wonder what the Academy’s penguins are up to at any given moment? Wonder no more—just tune in to one of our live webcams! This underwater cam lets you observe our birds diving, swimming, and playing.
Scientists learn a lot by observing, or watching, the world around them. Use the penguin observation activity and identification card above or think about the following questions to be a scientist while watching the penguins.
You can also see what they are up to below the surface with the underwater penguin webcam.
- Print out the Junior Scientist Adventure Penguin Observation Activity Chart and follow the instructions on the first page.
- While watching the penguins on the live webcam, notice what the penguins are doing. Share what you see with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- Are any of the penguins in the water?
- Are any of the penguins interacting with other penguins or a penguin caretaker?
- Are any of the penguins in the water?
- What do you notice about how they move?
Great job making observations! Check the webcam again soon to see if what you are seeing today is the same next time. Do you think it will be the same if you make observations at a different time of day?
Stand-up penguin (craft)
/sites/default/files/assets/images/Education_Images/sah-stand-up-penguin-craft_201120.pdf
Create a paper penguin that can stand on its own two feet!
Fraction penguin (activity)
/sites/default/files/assets/images/Education_Images/sah-fraction-penguin-activity-and-recipe_201120.pdf
Not a fraction expert? It's ok, neither are penguins. But you can practice with this fun craft activity.
Day 4: Behind-the-scenes with penguins
Get a sneak "beak" of what life is like in the Academy's penguin colony. (30-45 minutes)
Feeding time (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUI8KHBGvDw&feature=youtu.be
Feeling fishy? Our penguins sure are! Watch Academy biologists Steve and Emma feed our hungry colony and talk about the TLC they give these birds every day.
While you watch this video, think about the four questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- What do the penguins eat?
- Is this the same or different as what they would eat in South Africa?
- Why do you think the animal caretakers keep track of how much each penguin eats? Do you keep track of what you eat?
- Why do you think the penguins wear wing bands? Is there a difference between penguins with bands on their right or left wing?
Hatching penguin (craft)
/sites/default/files/assets/images/Education_Images/sah_hatching-penguin-craft-members_201124.pdf
Hello there! Like all birds, penguins lay eggs and tend to them before they hatch. Craft your own hatching baby penguin.
Listen to instructions
Download instructions
Escucha las instrucciones
Descargar instrucciones
Penguins swimming and braying (video)
https://youtu.be/uZ3Hjslt6_I
That’s a loud sound for a little bird! Every penguin has its own unique bray, which it uses to identify itself to other penguins.
While you watch this video, think about the three questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- What do these penguins sound like? Does that sound remind you of anything?
- Can you make the sound?
- What do you see the penguins doing?
Kid & caregiver extension activities
Now that you're a penguin pro, you might be ready to hop into some additional penguin activities and resources.
Penguin conservation (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU7aKHGsxns&feature=youtu.be
Discover more about how zoos and aquariums like the Academy are helping to save African penguins.
While you watch this video, think about the three questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- Where was Poppy before she came to the Academy?
- What is a Species Survival Plan?
- How do penguins living at the Academy help animals in the wild in Africa?
Breakfast Club with Vikki (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGgl6PccTYQ&feature=youtu.be
Celebrate World Penguin Day with Academy biologist Vikki and learn about the Academy's penguin colony and how we take care of them.
While you watch this video, think about the seven questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
Video snippet 1:
- How many penguins live in the Academy’s colony or group?
- What are the penguins waiting for?
- Do you do any training or enrichment with your animals at home?
Video snippet 2:
- Have you ever wanted to take care of animals as an animal keeper or veterinarian?
- What are some ways to get experience taking care of animals?
Video snippet 3:
- Why is the animal caretaker hand-feeding the penguins?
- Do you eat the same food as the penguins?
Sustainable seafood (activity)
https://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-recommendations/consumer-guides
By making smart choices when buying seafood, you can protect penguins and other ocean animals. Be sure to have the Seafood Watch guide handy so you can shop and order sustainably.
Academy @ Home
Enjoy an eclectic array of science content for all ages, from distance learning resources to in-depth livestreams.
Tell us what you think!
Science @ Home is always evolving. Drop us a line to let us know what you like, what you don't, and what you'd like to see more (or less!) of. Completed a craft that you're proud of? Send us a pic of that, too!