Forest Animal Activities for Preschoolers
There’s something magical about forest animals that makes them the perfect theme for curious preschoolers. In this post, we’re rounding up simple, hands-on ways to explore the world of woodland creatures. From crafts and coloring to sensory play and early math, these Forest Animal Activities for Preschoolers bring learning to life in playful ways.
Before you scroll through the ideas, check out the full collection on my Animal Activities for Kids page. It’s packed with themed printables, science packs, and more ways to build connections between early learning and nature-based fun.
Looking for mess-free options? Or something quick you can set up before lunch? Keep reading—you’ll find activities for every kind of preschool day, along with supplies and printable picks to make things even easier.
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Forest Animal Facts for Preschoolers
Adding a few simple facts to your activities can help preschoolers start connecting animals to their real-world traits. Here are some fun and easy-to-understand facts:
- Raccoons use their front paws almost like hands and are known for being curious and clever.
- Foxes have excellent hearing and can even hear small animals moving underground.
- Owls can turn their heads up to 270 degrees, which helps them see and hunt in the dark.
- Deer have strong legs that help them jump high and run fast to avoid danger.
- Bears spend part of the year sleeping in dens to stay warm during winter—this is called hibernation.
These small facts can be added during storytime or craft time to keep kids engaged and learning without needing a full lesson.
Recommended Forest Animal Books
Books are an easy way to introduce forest animals and spark curiosity during quiet time. Choose stories that highlight animal behaviors or feature woodland characters in familiar settings.
Forest Tracks: What Animal Am I? Lift-the-Flap Board BookForest Book for Kids: We Are the Forest Animals: 24 Forest Animals Introduce Themselves and Tell About Their Life in NatureOver in the Forest: A woodland animal nature book (Our World, Our Home)Animals in the ForestLet’s Move Like the Animals in the Forest: A Fun And Educational Children’s Story That Inspires Children Ages 2-6 To Be Active, Exercise, And Explore The Natural WorldForest Mamas & Babies (Mamas and Babies)
Why are forest animals an excellent theme for preschool?
Preschoolers are naturally drawn to animals, and forest creatures like foxes, raccoons, owls, and bears are both familiar and full of storybook charm. This theme works well for language development, fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and even early science topics like habitats and hibernation.
When my kids were younger, we did a forest animal week in the fall that started with a fox craft and ended with a pinecone scavenger hunt. They talked about “their” animal for days after and even used their lacing cards in pretend play. It reminded me how powerful simple activities can be when they connect to something kids find fascinating.
Animal Theme Printable Packs to Keep the Theme Going
Want to keep the momentum going without hunting for more ideas? These two printable packs from our shop are great for supporting pre-writing and animal science in a preschool-friendly way.
Simple Supplies to Have on Hand
Most of the activities above need just a few basic items. Here’s what’s helpful to keep nearby:
- Paper plates, cardstock, glue sticks, and safety scissors
- Markers, crayons, and washable paints
- Miniature animal figures (great for sensory tubs)
- Playdough and lacing string
- Laminator (optional, but useful for printables)
More Animal Activities To Try
Here’s a list of forest-themed activities for preschoolers. If you’re looking for ways to build fine motor skills, boost curiosity, or just keep things fun, these are some of my favorite animal activities for your children to try.
- Turtle Paper Cup Craft
- Printable Snake Coloring Pages
- Bear Books for Kids
- Forest Count and Clip Cards by Homeschool Preschool
- Going on a Bear Hunt Printables by Crystal and Comp
Bringing forest animals into your preschool lesson plans is a great way to mix fun with learning. Whether your kids love getting messy with crafts or prefer quiet time with a storybook, there’s something in this list to suit every mood.
With a few supplies and simple printables, you can turn any day into an engaging forest-themed adventure.